Affordable collectibles: vintage poster show in Hong Kong
More than 40 examples of poster art dating to early 20th century on display
Lovers of vintage posters are in for a treat at an exhibition in Central.
The show at Picture This Gallery, “The Art of Advertising - An exhibition of 20th Century Original Vintage Advertising Posters”, comprises more than 40 vintage original posters from Europe and Asia.
The oldest in the collection is a Michelin tyres poster litho-printed in Paris in 1910. Featuring the French tyre company’s globally recognised ambassador, Bibendum – better known as Michelin Man – it promotes its bicycle tyres as Le Meilleur, Le Moins Cher (“The Best, the Least Expensive”). The mascot was conceptualised by brothers and company founders Édouard and André Michelin when they took part in the Lyons Universal Exhibition in 1894 and noticed an evocatively shaped pile of tyres on their stand. Years later André added some limbs and a head to the image, forming the iconic character that’s been integral to the company’s brand since then.
Also in the collection is a rare poster advertising a bond issue for the French-owned, Chinese-based Banque Industrielle de Chine. Made in 1920, it uses Chinese script and a huge gong to deliver a “roll up, roll up, come and buy some bonds” message.
