Ski in Chamonix and London

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Among the traditional sales to start the new year at Christie's London, there is a sale of posters of winter sports. The next one is scheduled for January 28.

We noted this year, at lot 31, a poster of Chamonix - Mont Blanc circa 1900 designed by Francisco Tamagno. The atmosphere and the image are typical of the "Belle Epoque". A man and a woman on skis, warmly dressed, fly over a snowy slope surrounded by firs. We recognize the Mont Blanc on the horizon line.

This is a PLM poster. This railway line Paris Lyons Mediterranean was the main sponsor in France for tourism posters.

The dynamism of the two skiers, their resolutely happy look and their out of fashion equipment should appeal. This poster in very good condition, 105 x 76 cm, is estimated £ 14 K (perhaps a little expensive).

In these sales that bring passion, surprises are always possible. At the previous edition, 20 February 2008, a 1952 poster depicting a slalom skier was sold £ 36.5 K on an estimate of £ 600. Its peculiarity was to be written in Russian.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The poster was sold £ 17.5 K inclusive. It is a good result. The estimate had been tight, which means difficulty in selling to the low estimate. That is what justified my comment on the price.