This stunning original travel poster, created around 1950 by French illustrator F. Lesourt, was commissioned by the Compagnie de Transports Aériens Intercontinentaux (TAI), a prestigious French airline that played a key role in post-war international air travel. The poster is a vibrant and imaginative celebration of TAI’s intercontinental reach at a time when air travel was becoming a symbol of elegance, adventure, and global connectivity. Designed in a whimsical pictorial style, the poster features a stylized map of the world with flight routes radiating out from Paris across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Richly illustrated with playful vignettes representing regional cultures, landmarks, and customs—from African dancers to Asian temples, Pacific islanders, and snowy Arctic explorers—it presents a romantic and exotic view of global travel. The turquoise oceans and ochre-toned continents are framed by a decorative border filled with cultural motifs, suggesting the richness and diversity of the destinations served by TAI. At the bottom center sits the airline’s crest, complete with a mythological winged creature and the bold red TAI monogram—a mark of prestige and modern aviation. F. Lesourt’s artistic vision for this piece is both informative and enchanting. The composition fuses cartographic clarity with an almost storybook charm, enticing viewers to imagine themselves aboard a TAI aircraft, embarking on far-flung journeys to the corners of the earth. TAI was one of France’s principal international airlines before its 1963 merger with UAT to form UTA (Union de Transports Aériens), which later became part of Air France. Posters like this one are now treasured both for their artistry and for their documentation of a golden era in commercial aviation. A captivating blend of art, travel, and mid-century graphic design, this poster is a rare and elegant reminder of the optimism and excitement that once defined global air travel. Planisphere - Airline - Map Hubert Baille et Cie Paris Good condition
