Rare plate from the series Models of Alphabets of Letters & Signs published by Armand Guérinet (140 faubourg Saint-Martin, Paris) and drawn by L. Labbé , illustrating the styles of painted signs in use at the turn of the 20th century. This plate (no. 31) presents various examples of typical advertising frames: a hairdresser 's sign with red and almond green vegetal swirls, a gold and olive green cartouche “Concours 1903” , as well as a stylized cursive alphabet. The collection constitutes a rare document on the commercial aesthetics of the Belle Époque, between ceremonial typography and decorative sign painting.
✦ Provenance: Armand Guérinet Publishing, Paris ✦ Estimated period: Circa 1900 ✦ Dimensions: 40.5 × 30.5 cm ✦ Material: Color lithograph on heavy laid paper ✦ Condition: Good overall condition – moderate foxing and signs of age, original colours bright and well contrasted - very small tears on the right and left margins.
A beautiful and sought-after workshop sign, prized for its period graphics and the inscription “Concours 1903”, emblematic of the style of Parisian shop windows during the Belle Époque.
