Les Maitres de L'Affiche - 1892 Planche # 41 - Musée Grévin - Pantomimes Lumineuses, Théatre Optique de E. Reynaud

About the poster:

This is arguably the very first film poster in history. In 1892 Emile Reynaud used his invention of the “Théâtre Optique” to project in public the first animated film in history at the Musée Grevin in Paris. Reynaud’s hand-drawn sequences predated the moving pictures of Lumiere by three years, and the first public screening of Edison’s Vitascope by four. Between 1892 and 1900, there were 12,800 performances attended by more than 500,000 customers. However, regular motion pictures, perfected by others, eventually left him in virtual obscurity and forgotten in history. 

About Les Maitres de L'Affiche:

Maîtres de l'Affiche (Masters of the Poster) refers to 256 color lithographic plates used to create an art publication during the Belle Époque in Paris, France. The collection, reproduced from the original works of ninety-seven artists in a smaller 11 x 15 inch format, was put together by Jules Chéret, the father of poster art. The varied selection of prints were sold in packages of four and delivered monthly to subscribers. On sixteen occasions during the selling period between December 1895 through November 1900, the monthly package included a bonus of a specially created lithograph.

About the artist:

Jules Chéret (1836 – 1932) was a French painter and lithographer who became a master of Belle Époque poster art. He has been called the father of the modern poster. He was awarded the Légion d'honneur by the French Government in 1890 for his outstanding contributions to the graphic arts. Although his paintings earned him a certain respect, it was his work creating advertising posters, taken on just to pay his bills but eventually his dedication, for which he is remembered today.

Particulars: Each original Maîtres de l'Affiche lithograph has an embossed stamp in the bottom right corner and was printed on thick paper 
It has been professionally conserved by going through a de-acidification and cleaning bath (see poster and print conservation and restoration)