46 1/2x30 3/4 inches, 114 1/4x78 cm. ET. & L. Damour, Chefs de Publicité, Paris. Condition B+: creases, repaired tears and restored losses in margins; minor overpainting at upper left corner; creases and abrasions in image.
While some artists working for DAM studios were allowed to sign their designs, they also employed a stable of artists who worked anonymously. These designers were all quite talented and produced an oeuvre of modernist, Art Deco graphics and top-notch photomontage posters, which was rare in France. The attribution on these anonymous posters variously appeared as DAM Studio, DAM Creation Publicitaire or, as in this case, Damour (one of their earliest appellations dating to the late 1920s) - noted as "DAM" in upper right. Peugeot was an innovative company when it came to marketing; they realized very early the benefits of advertising, and dedicated a large part of their budget to poster campaigns. Not only did the company commission some of the most prestigious artists throughout the years (including Paul Colin, Charles Loupot and René Vincent), but they were also one of the first companies in France to turn their account over to an advertising agency. DAM was owned by the Damour Brothers, who also owned the magazine Vendre, which allowed them to offer their clients full advertising services. This image, in a classic Art Deco style, seems to be inspired by the work of Georges Favre.
