François Duyck Prints and Multiples

DUYCK, EDOUARD (1872 -1897) CRESPIN, ADOLPH (1859 –1944) "Hippodrome des Art" Original lithograph from "Les Maitres de L'Affiche" series Printed by Imprimerie Chaix, Paris Bearing MDL stamp lower right, from issue #6, 1894. Plate #28 Unframed Size:11 3/8 x 15 3/4” The "Les Maitres de l'Affiche" series was offered as a subscription series to collectors every month for 60 months, from December 1895 through November 1900. The "Maitres de l'Affiche," were issued as separate numbered sheets, referred to as "plates". They were numbered, with the printers name "Imprimerie Chaix," in the margin at the bottom left hand corner, "PL.1" to "PL.240." In the margin at the bottom right hand corner of each, is a blind embossed stamp from a design of Cheret's. The smaller format and the fact the "Maitres" were a paid subscription series, allowed Imprimerie Chaix to use the latest state of the art printing techniques, not normally used in the large format posters due to cost. A very high quality of paper was used, where as the large format posters were printed on lesser quality newsprint, due to cost and a short expected life span. This explains why the quality of the printing, in the "Maitres de l'Affiche," usually far exceeds that of their larger counterparts. "...Posters were created by the team of Duyck & Crespin, whose close collaborative efforts garnered them the nickname 'the Siamese twins.' Between their first joint attempt at poster-making in 1885-1886 and Duyck's death in 1897, the duo produced a large corpus of works... as well as set designs and costumes for the theatre " (Brussels p.76) This is a Belgian poster for the Ferme de Frahinfaz, on the Hippodrome des Art road near Spa. "Accommodations for riders and pedestrians. Fork and knife lunches, fresh milk, real "Faro" beer from Brussels and English beers"