1957 TAI Transports Aeriens Intercontinentaux

By: Luc Marie Bayle

Date: 1957 (circa) Paris

Original Size: 20 x 28.5 inches (50.8 x 72.6 cm)

This?is a fine print reproduction of a mid-century,?decorative world map promoting the French Airline Transports Aeriens Intercontinentaux (TAI). Noted French Artist Luc-Marie Bayle designed and created this bright and colorful map in the mid 1950¡¯s to help promote the visibility of the French air carrier Transports Aeriens Intercontinentaux. Its publication was limited to a print run of only 500, thus accounting for its rarity.

The map depicts the airline¡¯s routes around the globe, which were quite numerous for the time, including flights to many relatively exotic and far-flung destinations such as Damascus, Karachi, Bankgkok, Saigon, Hanoi, Darwin, Brisbane, Noumea, and Auckland. Bayle incorporated many traditional elements of mapmakers from bygone eras in the design of the poster.

A number of vignettes highlight various forms of travel by air and by sea, including the first forms of air travel, both real and imaginary. Whales, along with various forms of seagoing vessels ply the water and a number of colorful compass roses further embellish the map.

Inventory #11221