vintage french Poster Stamp 1957 Foire de Paris, A.M.Cassandre, Paris Fair /1113

Foire de Paris, 1957 This poster stamp commemorates the 1957 Foire de Paris (Paris Fair), held from May 25 to June 10. The design features bold, colorful typography spelling out “Foire de Paris,” with “Carrefour Mondial des Affaires” (World Business Hub) written below, celebrating the fair as a major international event. This stamp is a fantastic collectible for those interested in mid-20th-century European trade fairs and graphic design, designed by the famous A.M.Cassandre. Context: (now we dive deep!) A.M. Cassandre, born Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron on January 24, 1901, in Kharkiv, Ukraine (then part of the Russian Empire), was a highly influential French graphic designer, painter, and typeface designer. Renowned for his bold and innovative work in advertising during the 1920s and 1930s, Cassandre is often celebrated as a pioneer of modern commercial art, bringing a sense of luxury and glamour to posters and advertisements for products and services. His work exemplified the Art Deco movement, marked by clean lines, geometric shapes, and a sense of balance and elegance. Early Life and Artistic Development Cassandre was born to French parents and later moved to Paris in 1915, where he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Académie Julian. His training in traditional art and his exposure to avant-garde movements like Cubism, Futurism, and Constructivism significantly shaped his unique style. Paris in the 1920s was a creative hub, and Cassandre thrived in this environment, taking inspiration from both classical and modern influences. Key Contributions to Graphic Design and Advertising Cassandre’s posters revolutionized the way products were advertised, blending fine art aesthetics with commercial appeal. His designs were not just functional but artistic statements, making him a standout in the advertising world. His work often involved large, simplified shapes, strong contrasts, and an effective use of space to convey the essence of a product or service. Some of Cassandre’s most famous works include: “Dubonnet” (1932): A poster for the Dubonnet aperitif that was designed to be visible from a moving vehicle. It was a groundbreaking approach, using sequential images to show a man drinking the aperitif and becoming visibly satisfied. This technique is seen as a precursor to modern animated advertising. “Normandie” (1935): One of his iconic posters for the French transatlantic ocean liner SS Normandie, showcasing the grandeur and speed of the ship with a monumental perspective and powerful symmetry. “L’Intransigeant” (1925) and “Étoile du Nord” (1927): Posters for a Paris newspaper and a train service, respectively, which exhibit Cassandre’s ability to fuse elegance with functionality. Typeface Design Cassandre was also a prominent typeface designer, and he created fonts that remain influential in typography today. His fonts include: Bifur (1929): A highly decorative, Art Deco typeface with a geometric design, intended to attract attention with its distinct form. Peignot (1937): A typeface that is perhaps his most famous, designed for the Deberny & Peignot foundry. Peignot is notable for its omission of lowercase letters in a traditional sense, instead blending uppercase and lowercase elements for a distinctive, elegant look. This font became a symbol of mid-20th-century French style and was widely used in fashion and luxury advertising. Acier Noir: Another geometric typeface with a bold, metallic look, capturing the industrial, modernist style that was popular in the Art Deco period. Techniques and Influence Cassandre’s posters are iconic examples of Art Deco style, with influences from Cubism and Surrealism, using geometric forms and stylized figures. He was meticulous in his technique, often utilizing airbrushing and stenciling to achieve a smooth, industrial finish. His work was distinctive for its use of perspective and vanishing points , making objects appear monumental and futuristic. He was also a strong advocate for treating commercial art as an extension of fine art. Cassandre believed that a poster should be a “silent salesman” and needed to be understood at a glance. His philosophy shaped the graphic design world, particularly in Europe, and his techniques are still studied and revered by designers today. Later Life and Legacy During World War II, Cassandre’s career took a downturn, as the war disrupted advertising and art in France. After the war, he tried his hand at set design for theater and ballet and did some work in fashion advertising. However, his style was seen as less relevant in the post-war era, which was moving towards a more modern, minimalist aesthetic. Despite these challenges, his legacy endured, and by the 1960s, he was re-recognized as an innovator in design. A.M. Cassandre’s influence can be seen in modern branding, poster art, and typography . His work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, and his techniques and aesthetic principles are still taught in art and design schools worldwide. Cassandre died in 1968, but his legacy as a transformative figure in commercial art and typography remains undiminished. In summary, Cassandre’s work blurred the boundaries between fine art and commercial design, setting a new standard for what advertising could achieve aesthetically and conceptually. His posters are not just advertisements but pieces of art that capture the spirit and elegance of the Art Deco era. Event: Foire de Paris (Paris Fair) Date: May 25 – June 10, 1957 Language: French Artist: A.M.Cassandre Shipping: We offer shipping & handling free of charge. Payment: Please complete payment within 48 hours of auction end. 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