An Original Vintage Poster designed by Geo Ham for the 1976 2nd Rallye d'Automobiles Anciennes de Monte Carlo
SOLD
Origin: French
Period: Twentieth Century
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1970
Height: 21 inches
Width: 18 inches
Depicting a roaring blue Bugatti racing past a silhouetted palm tree, the scarves of the driver and passenger flapping in the wind behind them, with the distinctive text “Monte Carlo 7-11 Juillet 76” above, and “2eme Rallye d’automobile anciennes” beneath, and the initials “G.H.” and ‘300’ to the lower right of the image. The poster has very faint vertical and horizontal fold creases, but is overall in very good condition, and is sold ready to hang in a quality wooden frame.
Geo Ham was born Georges Hamel in Laval, Mayenne, France in 1900, and studied art at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs, in Paris. With Rene Vincent, he is one of the most celebrated of automotive artists, and was himself an automotive enthusiast who dabbled in racing, an interest which imbued his artwork with a sense of movement and fluidity, which is especially apparent in his famous art deco posters for the Monaco Grand Prix and Le Mans.
Geo Ham launched his career illustrating the catalogues for the French cycle-car manufacturer, Benjamin; and from 1927-1940 his work featured in L’illustration, a leading French pictorial magazine. His work is instantly recognisable, very famous, and is extremely sought after by motor racing enthusiasts. The purchase of this poster represents a rare opportunity to own an original Geo Ham poster, and one of the last he designed, indeed, it was published posthumously - he died in 1972.