This original vintage travel poster was commissioned by Simplon-Orient-Express and printed in July 1927 as a lithograph by Cornille and Serre, Paris. It was designed by Joseph de la Nézière (1873-1944), a member of the French Orientalist society and formerly employed by the Colonies Ministry in 1912 where he honed his talent. The Orient-Express crossed through Turkey before reaching northern Syria, a gateway to Damas - a present by Emperor William 2nd to the Ottomans - and Baghdad to the East. The vintage poster represents the Aleppo Citadelle with its monumental gates which stood opposite the most well-renowned souk in the Middle-East. The wonderful fortress has been towering over the city since the Hellenistic age and is depicted in the same way that it has stood since 1293. Repeatedly finding itself under siege, it was never successfully captured during this time, in part thanks to its angled defenses which must have been challenging to scale to say the least. A full panoramic view taken from the top of its walls quickly illustrates the strategic importance of this fortified mound. By settling on a powerful perspective complete with its inhabitants, the artist conveys true realism to the poster and gives the viewer an immediate sense of scale.