- Title: Chemin De Fer De Paris A Orleans | Angers Circuits Automobiles
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Author: Constant Duval
- Date: 1926
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Condition: Very fine - laid to linen
- Inches: 28 1/4 x 41 1/4 [Paper]
- Centimeters: 71.75 x 104.77 [Paper]
- Product ID: 308420
A beautiful and scarce French travel poster promoting the charming town of Angers, a key stop along the Paris to Orléans railway. The illustration showcases the town’s medieval architecture, with the majestic cathedral prominently rising above the rooftops in the background. Although the poster claims to advertise Angers’ automobile routes, the town’s quaint, old-world streets give the impression that cars have rarely, if ever, traveled its secluded roads.
The Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans (PO) was one of France’s earliest and most significant railway companies, established on August 13, 1838. Its original purpose was to construct and operate a railway between Paris and Orléans, with the first section opening in 1840 and the line reaching Orléans by 1843—at the time, the longest railway in France at 114 kilometers (71 miles). The company’s headquarters was in Paris, and its main Paris terminus was the Gare d’Orléans, later known as Gare d’Austerlitz.
Background on Creator
Constant Duval (1877–1956), also known as Constant Léon Duval, was a French artist renowned for his travel posters, particularly those created for French and Belgian railway companies between 1910 and 1936. He produced striking and memorable posters for the Chemins de Fer de l'État, Chemins de Fer d'Orléans, and Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans, among others. His work is celebrated for its vibrant depiction of French regions and landmarks, helping to promote tourism and travel by rail.
Duval’s posters, such as those advertising destinations like Touraine, Limoges, and Chambord, are now considered iconic examples of early 20th-century commercial art. His style combined bold colors and dynamic compositions to capture the charm and appeal of various French locales. Many of his posters remain highly collectible and are displayed in museums and private collections today.