Les Maicirc;tres de lAffiche (The Masters of the Poster) is one of the most prestigious and influential art publications in history. Its 256 color plates have preserved for each succeeding generation a wide- ranging selection of outstanding posters from the turn of the century; when the popular art form had reached its first peak. This Dover edition is the first complete republication of the legendary Maicirc;tres set to devote a full large page to each plate.Les Maicirc;tres de lAffiche was issued as separate numbered sheets measuring 11 1/4 x 15 1/2 inches. Every month for 60 months; from December 1895 through November 1900; subscribers received a wrapper containing four consecutively numbered poster reproductions. On 16 occasions; the monthly wrapper also contained a bonus plate; not a poster reproduction but a specially created art lithograph. Jules Cheacute;ret; father of the modern poster; emerged with the lions share of the plates; 60 of the 240 numbered poster reproductions and 7 of the 16 unnumbered bonus plates. Of the 97 artists represented in Les Maicirc;tres de lAffiche; some were preeminent painters and printmakers at various stages of their careers: Toulouse-Lautrec; Denis; Bonnard; Vallotton; Puvis de Chavannes. Others were famous illustrators and cartoonists of the period; still well known to art collectors and bibliophiles: Forain; Caran dAche; Ibels; Willete; Boutet de Monvel; Leacute;andre. But there were also all those whose names say "poster;" the conquering pioneers of the new medium: Cheacute;ret himself; Mucha; Steinlen; the Beggarstaffs; Grasset; Penfield; Parrish; Bradley; and Hardy.This edition reproduces the plates in their original numerical sequence; one to a page; retaining the standardized tan border introduced by the editors of Les Maicirc;tres. The bonus plates; originally unnumbered and issued at various times; have been given the letters A through P and have been placed at the end of the volume. The List of Plates indicates the exact months in which Maicirc;tres subscribersreceived these bonus plates. In order to keep the plate pages uncluttered; the captions on those pages have been limited to plate number (or letter) and the artists name. The List of Plates also furnishes essential data on the original full-sized posters: their dimensions; the year in which they were first published; city of publication; and specific print shop responsible. A special Dover feature; which is almost certainly a first ever; is a full literal translation of the text of all posters printed in a language other than English. These are all new direct translations from French; German; Italian; Spanish; Dutch; Danish; Czech; and Hungarian.
#1934293 in eBooks 2013-01-16 2012-12-19File Name: B00A739R7C
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. looking more like a collection of photos thrown on the floorBy Jack in Ft.WorthWatson is a hardworking professional with a reputation well earned as a dedicated documentary photographer. Unfortunately; this publication is a mishmash of mixed quality images; poorly edited and presented; looking more like a collection of photos thrown on the floor; picked up with no particular organization or purpose and jammed awkwardly between the covers. Watson deserved better. Nevertheless; it always remains the photographers responsibility to ensure that any published images -- and particularly a book with his name on it -- represents his very best. This book does not; Watson dropped the ball. This book desperately needed a good editor; layout out and copy critique; and elimination of images that simply do not measure up. While many images are worthy of publication; others are more like tourist snapshots. Most disappointing however; is the conclusion that Watson has no vision to share. Perhaps one trip was insufficient for Watson to develop a sense of Cuba and the Cubans. It is altogether possible that he was simply overwhelmed; as many people are; by the sheer pervasiveness of iconic images in a place that was lost in time. Cuba is full of good; even spectacular scenes in the viewfinder; the seductiveness of photographing everything and thinking each image is worthy of publication is deadly.. Each image must stand on its own as a great image; but it must also contribute to the overall vision the photographer wishes to convey. There must be a theme -- a story -- and all images must serve and enhance that theme. Here Watson utterly fails. For the want of an editor; the book was lost. .0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Realistic Trip in Cuba!By Lambert McLaurinThis is an intimate story of one persons experiences as they travel in Cuba. It is well written; observes things carefully; and expresses them in a very real fashion. Unpretentious; open; and very human. Ive traveled a lot in Cuba and this book tells it like it is.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy CustomerArrived in great condition. Thank you