Artist: Crafty French (1840-1906) - real name Victor Geruzez
Title: Runaway
Plate: SPPL. 12
Original lithograph from "Les Maitres de L'Affiche" series.
Printed by Imprimerie Chaix, Paris, 1899.
Presented in 16 x 20 in. acid free, archival museum mat, with framing labels. Ready to frame. Shipped boxed flat via Fedex.
Certificate of Authenticity.
Maitre Sheet Size: 11 3/8 in x 15 3/4 in 29 cm x 40 cm
Price: $125.00
An original design by Crafty of a runaway coach crowded with worried passengers. The men try to restrain the terrified ladies, as the driver struggles to regain control of his team of horses. Only a slight glimpse of the probable cause of the commotion is seen behind the coach, speeding away, in the form of a motorized three-wheeled vehicle. Many illustrations and satirical cartoons where done at the time showing the interesting consequences of horse and machine when they meet.
Subscribers to the Maitre de l'Affiche series received four special plates annually. These premium original lithographs, each an original design, were created specifically for this series, and are not seen in any other format, unlike the regular plates, which are reduced versions of larger posters.
We are most fortunate to have had the inclusion of the Special Plates (Sp), as each one is a true example of the artist's creativity and skill. The artist is unencumbered with a product or service to advertise, and can express himself more freely, demonstrating his drawing ability, the essence of graphic art, with only one or two colours. For many collectors these unique Special Plates are more desirable than any of the regular plates.