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GAINES MCHALE TO HOST 11TH ANNUAL FRENCH POSTER SHOW; PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE WILLIAM S. BAER SCHOOL
BALTIMORE– From Jan. 12-14, 2007, Gaines McHale will have available for sale its largest and most extensive collection of period French posters – from artists such as Toulouse Lautrec, Cappiello, Mucha, Cheret and many more – during its 11th annual French Poster Show & Sale.
With more than 500 original stone lithographic posters from “The Belle Epoque” (The Golden Age), 1880 to 1930, the exhibition will feature the most Lautrec and Cheret posters ever offered for sale at Gaines McHale.
Jules Cheret, often called the father of the French Poster, invented a process that reduced the cost of posters in the late 19th century. His process triggered the rise of large lithographic advertising posters as a powerful commercial and artistic medium, showing products being enjoyed by beautiful people in beautiful settings. Pretty women smiled out of billboards selling everything imaginable (from gas lighting, laundry soap, medicine, cigarettes, bicycles, cookies, travel destinations, stores, art exhibitions, magazines, wine and beer).
“French posters have been a collectible art form for well over 100 years,” said Scott McHale, sales manager and buyer for Gaines McHale. “Our exhibition and sale will feature original limited production items that are very colorful and very collectible. All sizes, styles and price points will be available.”
For the third year in a row, a portion of proceeds from all items sold that weekend – posters and non-posters alike – will benefit The William S. Baer School, which serves Baltimore City children, ages 3 to 21, with severe and profound disabling conditions. Located in Coppin Heights, the school opened in 1933 to serve students with polio and other physical impairments. Since then, the program broadened to provide educational programs for physically disabled children, infants and toddlers, deaf-blind students, accident and trauma victims, and non-disabled students.
Gaines McHale’s French Poster Show will take place Friday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (with a reception open to the public beginning at 6 p.m.); Saturday, Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 14, from noon to 5 p.m.
Located at 700 S. Caroline St. in Baltimore’s Fells Point community, Gaines McHale is known for offering the Mid-Atlantic’s largest variety of European country and formal antiques, antique replicas, private label upholstered goods and one-of-a-kind accessories. The store carries collections personally selected by the McHale’s in England, France, Denmark and other parts of Europe to marry the quality, beauty and warmth of yesterday to today's lifestyles. For more information, call 410-625-1900 |