Promotional Album for Art-Deco Advertising Vehicles

Publicité Automobile Routière Lumineuse Animée Sonore [PARLAS], [1932-1939]

(Graphic Design) (Automobiles) (Bicycling) Publicité Automobile Routière Lumineuse Animée Sonore [PARLAS]. Promotional Album for Art-Deco Advertising Vehicles. Bagneaux [Paris]: [1932-1939].

Unusual photographic documentation of “light-and-sound” advertising vehicles, including trucks, a limo, and a very futuristic art-deco van, all with ad panels and large loud-speakers mounted to the roof, some with additional modifications, including a truck whose panels drop to reveal a glass vitrine—a moving shop window. The vehicles (“camion publicitaire”) promote department stores and theaters, including the Folies Bergere; Theatre des Gobelins; and Theatre Montparnasse. Shown attracting attention in crowded Parisian streets, many photographs also depict the vehicles during hugely popular road cycling events, including the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix Cyliste, and the Circuit de l’Ouest.

A delightful example of vernacular Art-Deco design, with unexpected views of Paris street life just before WWII.

SOLD

41 photographs, most approx. 11 x 7 cm, mounted on 29 cardboard mounts, each 11.5 x 17.5 cm with a year written in white ink, a few with additional captions (e.g. Paris-Roubaix Cyliste; Tour de France), together with two large business cards (one photographic). Cards laid in a worn cloth folder, one mounted to the inside cover. Photos and mounts VG, a few areas of light discoloration from orig. adhesive, one hand-colored.