1959 Air France – Le Plus Grande Reseau du Monde
By: Lucien Boucher
Date: 1959 (published) Paris
Dimensions: 23 x 37.5 inches (58.5 x 95.25 cm)
This is the 1959 edition from Lucien Boucher’s famous Air France world map series. The map offers one of the most unique projections from the Air France series with an elaborate border distinctive of other maps by Lucien Boucher.
The series was initially funded by the French government to promote its national airline, Air France, in the government’s attempts to rebuild the French economy in the years following the disastrous consequences of WWII. The map centers on Europe and Northern Africa, delineating the “long haul lines,” and “lines of other companies in correspondence,” to Air France. Aside from the ample service throughout Europe and the eastern Mediterranean, one can’t help but notice the intricate network of connections throughout French West Africa.
The projection is functional with respect to showing the air routes without line breaks, but falls short of a true world map by its omission of Australia, New Zealand, the southern portion of South America, Antarctica, and much of the Pacific. Throughout the work, illustrations depict regional representations of culture, history, architecture, and nature. In the oceans, aspects of earlier maps can be seen in mythical creatures, sea monsters, and sailing tall ships from centuries past.
Finally, the map is surrounded by a most decorative border illustrating people, cultures, flora and fauna from far reaches of the world; an element of the map that clearly pays homage to earlier cartographic works of the 16th and 17th century.
Condition: The map is in B+ condition with bright colors and one small scuff in the top left border.
NOTE: The map is currently dry mounted and set into a custom green frame without glass. It looks very nice as is but could be removed and linen backed at the request of the buyer.
Inventory #12770
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