Poster Auctions International will offer more than 500 lots of rare, vintage posters in its 50th semi-annual auction of Art Nouveau and Art Deco masterpieces, on Sunday, May 2. As this is its Golden Anniversary auction, only the world’s finest and most important posters were chosen to be in this sale, gathered from some of the most prestigious private collections from around the globe. This unmatched gathering of rare posters will be on view from April 9 – May 1, open and free to the public for three weeks.
Beginning this auction is a stellar gathering of over 40 rare automobile posters, from the classic car ads for Chrysler and Bugatti to the exhilaration announcements for the early races at Monaco and Le Mans. Immediately following this section are three specialty categories, featuring some of the finest examples of historic aviation posters, posters on silk, and exceptionally rare Buffalo Bill posters.
Art Deco is strongly represented, headlined by one of the largest collections of works by the German Expressionist Walter Schnackenberg ever assembled, including his Odeon Casino, Erry and Merry, and Regina Palast Hotel. Also featured are Hohlwein’s Kaffee Hag, Paul Colin’s Tabarin, Joe Alex, and Andre Renaud, Cassandre’s Cote d’Azur, Cardinaux’s two iconic Palace Hotels, and Loupot’s St. Raphael, Monsavon, and Grieder-Zurich.
Additional highlights include impressive offerings from some of the most renowned Art Nouveau masters. Over 30 works by the Father of the Poster, Jules Cheret, 15 works by Cappiello, 18 posters by Mucha, and a dozen Italian fashion classics for the Mele store in Naples.
Other highlights include a contemporary work by William Kentridge, the original one-of-a-kind bas relief sculpture for the film Metropolis, the rare Sutro Baths, Mistinguett, propaganda (from Rockwell to Obama to the famous recent Swiss anti-minaret poster), WPA, the 1923 Lawn Tennis Championship, a very early Houdini, and Soviet posters from Lenin through Stalin.
This once-in-a-lifetime show will be on view, free to the public beginning Friday, April 9 through Saturday, May 1. Catalogue available online at www.postersplease.com.
For 25 years, Poster Auctions International has been the world’s preeminent auctioneer of original, vintage posters. The offices and showroom are located at 601 W. 26th Street. For information: www.postersplease.com or contact Angelina Lippert at 212-787-4000.