Mess Maritimes-Tahitien Black & White

Messageries Maritimes was a French shipping line company that was founded in 1851. This poster by Albert Brenet boasts the superiority of Messageries Maritimes routes, specifically its Tahitien ship. The Tahitien carried passengers and military personnel to French outposts in the Caribbean and the Pacific. The round-trip journey took almost four months between Marseilles and Sydney. It was amongst the last of the real working cargo-passenger liners which were replaced by air travel as the 20th century progressed.

Messageries Maritimes traces its roots to 1851, when Albery Rostand and Ernest Simons merged their shipping line companies to greatly expand their routes. Originally,, these routes were primarily in the Middle East, which proved useful during the French Crimean War for French troop deployment. As a reward for their military support, the company was given a France to Brazil route which greatly expanded the company. After rebuilding post WWI, the company truly became 'worldwide' with the access to the newly constructed Panama Canal.

Albert Brenet (1903-2005) was the official artist for the French navy and air force starting in 1936. He traveled by sea often, always carrying his sketchbook and documenting scenes both on the water and of life on board. He created many commemorative and promotional posters.

This is an Original Vintage Poster; it is not a reproduction. This poster is conservation mounted, linen backed, and in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all of our posters.