Madagascar - Vintage Travel Poster by Maurice Tranchant - 1952

A true invitation to travel, this original 1952 poster by Maurice Tranchant transports us to the heart of Madagascar, then considered a jewel of the French colonial empire. Printed by G. Raidot in the spirited style of post-war tourism campaigns, this vibrant lithograph captures the essence of a lush, bountiful island.

The graphic style blends illustrated cartography with picturesque scenes of daily life: endemic wildlife, luxuriant flora, local figures, and traditional boats animate the deep red silhouette of the Great Island. Each region is portrayed through its cultural or agricultural particularities, in an almost encyclopedic spirit, tinged with colonial curiosity and imagined exoticism.

The charm also lies in the details: the elegant ribboned cartouche, the large compass rose, the delicately hand-lettered place names… all contribute to making this piece both decorative and documentary. Linen-backed and well preserved (Condition A-, with faint central fold marks, 45.3 by 31.3 inches), this rare poster is a precious testament to the advertising aesthetic of the post-war era and a true centerpiece for any vintage poster collector or lover of illustrated geography.