1960's French School Poster - Champs-Elysées/ Technology

Champs-Elysées - Les Progrès Technique

This is number 59/60 in a series produced by Rossignol for French schools in the late sixties and early seventies.This one features a swinging Champs-Elysées with the latest televisions on display in the upmarket shops. The reverse has two children sitting happily by a motorway watching the traffic, a diesel train and a plane taking off, all under the optimistic heading of "Technical Progress'. Like many in this series, this is a celebration of mid-century life and the optimism it embodied. Printed onto thick card, the central image on these prints measures 58cm x 58cm. The overall measurements are 62cm x 60cm.

These prints were used as talking points in the classroom and, unlike the earlier versions of French classroom posters, these adopt a much more photographic feel to them with realistic drawings of everyday, mid-century life in French homes and cities.

Much of this is down to the artist Yves Thos, a well known French commercial artist who was at the height of his powers at this time. He created the artwork for many iconic movie posters of the day from James Bond to La Dolce Vita.

These are big prints (over half a metre across), most are double-sided, and will frame up well to make a striking piece of wall art. The majority have marks and nibbles to the edges but the central images are clear and without creases. The last picture shows one of these prints famed and on display in my house to give you an idea.