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One sheet original vintage cruise travel advertising poster for
Messageries Maritimes, a French shipping company, from 1949.
Designed by the illustrator G. Souli (also referred to as Roger Souli), it commemorates the ocean liner "La Marseillaise". The poster's central imagery features:
A colorful depiction of the ship, La Marseillaise, sailing across the horizon.
A large red anchor topped with a three-towered crown.
A unicorn's head, which appears to be a figurehead or symbol associated with the ship or the line.
A stylized rope forming figure-eight knots on either side of the anchor.
The original was a color lithographic poster, typically measuring approximately 100 x 63 cm (roughly 39 x 24 inches). Collectors and enthusiasts can find original copies or high-quality modern reproductions from various vintage poster galleries and auction houses.
The 1949 "La Marseillaise" poster was created by the French illustrator
Roger Souli (often credited as G. Souli).
While specific biographical details on Souli are limited compared to some of his contemporaries, his work is well-regarded in the world of vintage travel advertising. Here are a few key points about the artist and this specific piece:
Style: Souli's work on this poster is characterized by its bold, heraldic symbolism. Instead of a realistic depiction of a voyage, he used a stylized composition featuring the ship set against a massive company crest.
The Crest: The imagery he chose—the red anchor, mural crown (the castle-like top), and unicorn—directly references the maritime heritage and official symbols of the Messageries Maritimes line.
Context: Souli was one of several prominent French artists commissioned by Messageries Maritimes during the mid-20th century to help rebuild the company's image after World War II. Other famous artists who designed for the line around this time include Albert Brenet and Jean Desaleux.
Production: The poster was produced as a color lithograph, a technique that allowed Souli's choice of vibrant blues and reds to remain striking even decades later. |
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