HERVÉ MORVAN (1917-1980) GITANES. 1960. 63x45 1/2 inches, 160x115 1/2 cm. Courbet, Paris. Condition B+: repaired tears in margins, some affecting image; restored loss in image; creases and abrasions in margins and image; vertical and horizontal folds. Morvan was a lesser-known counterpart to Raymond Savignac. An adherent of Savignac's visual-gag style, they were both commissioned to advertise major French products and brands of the 1950s and 1960s. He began his career designing movie posters, and went on to design hundreds more for commercial products. This poster, one of his best and most memorable images, won the prestigious Prix Martini (poster competition) in 1961. The fluid, eye-catching image was also used on Gitanes cigarette packs and cartons. Weill 521, Morvan cover and 427.
