The Art Marketer

When My Ship Comes In...

I can only hope it looks like this! 

 

The Normandie (pictured left) is one in a collection of six images capturing the beauty, eloquence, majesty and historical significance in each of the six main ships from The French Transit Line's History - Les Grands Paquebots! 

 

The exquisite Collection of Les Grands Paquebots were:

LA TOURAINE, 1891 - In 1886, a new ship was ordered from the shipyard of penhoet, 'La Touraine'. She was to be used for the New York run. On June 20, 1891, La Touraine left Le Havre for New York on her maiden voyage. She arrived on the 27th, having crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 7 days, 4 hours, a performance that was improved on with subsequent trips. This accomplishment took The Atlantic Blue Ribbon, a symbol of the fastest speed on the North Atlantic, away from the English fleet.

FRANCE, 1912 - Intended to replace 'Ile de France' and the 'Liberte' on the New York run, the purchase order for this ship was signed on July 25, 1956. Construction started October 7, 1957 on the same dry dock the ship 'Normandie' was built. This would be the last time a ship was built in St. Nazaire.

The President of the French Republic attended the ship's christening held on May 11, 1960. 

During the crossings of August 16 & August 27, 1963, the France beat its own records of passengers transported, 1992 going and 2044 returning for a total of 4036 persons.

On Novemer 8th, 1968, at 1:30am, GMT, the France had travelled one million miles.

PARIS, 1921 - The ship 'Paris' commenced being built at the shipyard in 1913. Three years later, service began on September 12, 1916. On June 15, 1921, the Paris sailed on its inaugural trip to New York. In May 26, 1923, a movie house was set up on board.

By 1930, the 'Paris' leaves the fleet.

 

 

 

 

DE GRASSE, 1924 - The De Grasse made its first voyage from Le Havre to New York on August 28, 1927. The ship was completely refurbished in 1945, changing its passenger capacity to 360 in First Class and 360 in Cabin Class. On July 12, 1947, service between Le Havre and New York is resumed. On March 28, 1963, the De Grasse is sold to Canadian Pacific. 

 

 

 

NORMANDIE, 1935 - The building of the Normandie began in the shipyards of St. Nazaire in January 1931 in the midst of the American economic crisis. One of its assured characteristics were 5-day crossings. Very luxurious decorations were commissioned to the best decorators. A grandiose inauguration took place in Le Havre on May 29, 1935, attended by the President of the French Republic. 1070 passengers were aboard the first voyage to North America. After a port-of-call in Southampton, the Normandie arrived in New York on June 3 doing an average speed of 29.94 knots.

A triumphal welcome awaited the Normandie upon arrival on the Hudson River. Two awards were presented to 'Cie. Gle. Transatlantique' for the longest and fastest ship ever afloat. The return trip from New York to Le Havre with 1494 passengers on board took place on June 7th and the average speed was 30.31 knots. The Normandie was awarded the Blue Ribbon. When WWII started, the Normandie had made 135 crossings, transporting approximately 135,000 passengers.

On February 9, 1942, in New York, a fire started on board. Under the weight of the water used to extinguish the fire, the ship capsized. 

 

ILE DE FRANCE, 1949 - Departs Le Havre, at 4:10 pm on September 2, 1939, only to return on June 30, 1949 to Southampton where it arrives the same day at 9:15pm. Leaves this port June 3 at 5:05am (a few hours prior to declaration of war) and arrives in New York, September 9, 1939 with 1777 passengers aboard. After some transformation, the Ile De France departs New York, May 1, 1940 for Marseille with approximately 2200 tons of freight, including 28 airplanes and arrives in Marseille May 10, 1940. Following additional transformation, the Ile De France departs Marseille May 31st for Indochina via Dakar and the Cape to fetch Indochinese workers. However, on the way from the Cape to Saigon, the ship is advised in the middle of the Indian Ocean that the Armistice was signed and decides to change course toward Singapore when it arrives June 30, 1940. 

On July 19, 1940, the Ile De France was requisitioned by the British government. From 1944 on, after some modernization in New York, the Ile De France is used as a troop carrier.

On September 19, 1945, a French crew takes possession of the ship which continues to navigate the orders of the Transport of War Ministry bringing troops back from Europe to their country of Origin. 

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Now immortalized in one very special Classic Collection of placemats and coasters, these images of each of Les Grands Paquebots not only capture the majesty and eloquence of a different era in travel, together as a collection, they also capture the history of shipbuilding as well as sharing a piece in the history of the world.

The French Line deliciously epitomized the 'French Way of Life' luxury, art and voluptuousness. Gastronomy was the order of the day, yet these ships also served an important role in World War II.

Only 2000 coaster sets and fewer than 1300 placemat sets were made for private distribution by the French Line Transit Company as promotional giveaways and Holiday Gifts in 1991. These were never sold at retail, and as such are Highly Collectible, only occasionally turning up at select antique auctions or shops having a previous connection with The French Line.

Just a few sets now remain from the original production, and, once again, by special arrangement with the original producers of this collection, Spanek Enterprises www.spanek.com, The Art Marketer is able to offer the few remaining sets at a special price to the right party. Once sold, they will not be replaced, making these sets that much more valued and collectible.   

The Collection would be most at home in a Maritime Museum, historical society, antique shop, Corporate Maritime Collection, or with a private collector or dealer having a strong interest in Maritime Art and History. But we would be willing to entertain interest and offers from other parties as well. 

For more information, please contact The Art Marketer at 914.907.9842 or email: lisa@theartmarketer.com. 

 

HOOKED ON FISH PLATTERS & THE ART OF GYOTAKU

Gyotaku (ghio ta koo) gyo means fish, taku means rubbing. Gyotaku is the Japanese Art of Hand Rubbing Fish Prints on Fine Rice Paper.

Fish printing originated in Japan or China in the early 1800's. In Japan, Gyotaku is practiced by sportsmen to preserve records of their catches.  

Florida artist, Gregory Aragon, holds a Captain's license and makes his living as master of a deep-water fishing vessel. He became fascinated by Gyotaku, studied and mastered the art, and has been making Gyotaku prints for more than two decades. His work is displayed in galleries and private collections in the United States, France, and England.

While on display at the New Orleans Gourmet Products Show in the Spanek Enterprises' booth, Greg Aragon's fish rubbings were discovered by A. Santos Company, one of the leading ceramic manufacturing companies in Portugal. "These would make great platters!" said Licinio Reis, owner of A. Santos. "We have a great decal company who could reverse these images so we can apply them to our unique ceramic platters." And a new product for Spanek's L'Art Pour La Table Collection was spawned!

Not only can we now enjoy the beauty of Aragon's artwork as well as the inherent beauty of the fish he chooses as his subjects, but these ceramic platters themselves are functional works of art! These amazing platters are freezer-proof, dishwasher safe, and can take oven temperatures of up to 250 degrees C/500 F. They are lead-free and safe for all food use under the FDA California Lead Standards, allowing you to cook, serve and freeze your food all on the same platter. Many also choose just to hang the platter on the wall for the beauty of the art itself.

As with Guy Buffet's Celebration of Life print (see previous post), Greg Aragon's Gyotaku Fish Platters, are now being offered as Collectible, Limited Edition pieces which will no longer be produced once sold out. And again, it is only by special arrangement with The Spanek Family that The Art Marketer is able to offer a promotion on the few remaining platters. 

 

Shown above:

Snook ("Centropomus undecimalis").
Large platter measures 9¾ × 22½ inches.              

Our price, $125.00

 Warsaw Grouper ("Epinephelus nigritus").
 Small platter measures 9¼ × 18½ inches.              

 Our price, $100.00 

 

 

Scamp ("Mycteroperca phenax").
Small platter measures 9¼ × 18½ inches.

 Our price, $100.00

 

All platters are Freezer-proof; Dishwasher-safe; can go directly from the freezer to the oven, not to mention the table. The platters may also be displayed on the wall when not in use!

Every platter is packed with a recipe sheet and instructions, as well as a bio of the artist and the story behind the art and the product. These beautiful platters make wonderful gifts for the art lover as well as for caterers, cooks and restaurants wanting to use them as serving pieces. They present well as displays in private and commercial locations wherever fish are revered.

Spanek Enterprises - L'Art Pour La Table 

In the late 1980s, Denis Spanek developed the original marketing idea of L'Art Pour La Table, or "Art for the Table" — the design concept of bringing fine art from the wall to the table, where it would reflect the beauty of the cuisine and the dining experience. He brought it to Williams-Sonoma, where it succeeded beyond anyone's expectations, with series after series of fine china, placemats, coasters, dining trays, and many other fine collectibles, featuring the art of Guy Buffet, Georges Coulon, Robert Lyn Nelson, André Renoux, and other contemporary masters.

As such, the Spaneks have had the delightful opportunity to seek out classic artists in various corners of the world who have intrigued them. In studying their techniques and style of composition they have chosen particular works allowing them to create unique L'Art Pour La Table, a variety of functional art products 'for the table'.

As they have said for so long, "fine food finds fine art ..." For more than a decade now, as the result of their involvement in the culinary world and their development of L'Art Pour La Table, the Spaneks have also been able to offer original oils, acrylics, and watercolors, as well as limited-edition prints and signed posters, to people who, like themselves, have fallen in love with the work of these renowned artists in time.

It has been The Art Marketer's good fortune to be able to partner with the Spanek Family in bringing you many of these unique and wonderful products for your own enjoyment and pleasure, and at special promotional prices not being offered elsewhere. 

All of the products offered in The Art Marketer blog may now be purchased through Paypal on the Products Page of our website: http://www.theartmarketer.com/Products.html

For more information about the Spanek Family visit their website at: http://spanek.com/

 

For those living in the NY metro area who would like to see the products first-hand, please contact us. 

Look to future blogs for more posts about other promotions, products and recipes from the Spaneks! 

BURGUNDY - A CELEBRATION OF LIFE by Guy Buffet

BURGUNDY - A Celebration of Life by Guy Buffet

is a Special Limited Edition Print that Celebrates The Wine Harvest in a way few other images quite capture! 

In Vino Veritas — In Wine the Truth 

Buffet's classic image depicts the grandeur of the Burgundy wine region in France. Fine wines of the Burgundy region are always enjoyed and celebrated at harvest time with a Bacchic feast set in the French countryside; this is the tradition of the true French bon vivant. Every level of viticulture is appreciated and celebrated in bringing the final product to fruition.

According to the Napoleonic Code, upon the death of a parent the children inherit the land and equally divide it, and so you may find many different proprietors of the same vineyard, each tending to their own specific rows.

Artist Guy Buffet captures the magnificence of the terrain and the vibrant French culture in this image. This truly classic Burgundy lithograph is a breathtaking celebration of life, family, community and friendship.

The image has found a home with some of the world's most famous chefs, sommeliers, and restaurants, as well as the top wine cellars of the world. The edition has been exclusively distributed through the Spanek family's travels and friendships over the years since 1992.

 

Image size: 24 inches by 31 inches, unframed
Lithograph Edition of 350 -- signed and numbered.
Includes Certificate of Authenticity.

 

There are only a few pieces left in this Limited Edition. The Series will not be reprinted!

As part of a recent promotion with special pricing in a Wine Cellar Distribution, these pieces were offered in a grouping at the low price of $1200.00. 

 By special arrangement with the Spanek family, the original producers, owners and exclusive distributors of the series, and for a limited time only, The Art Marketer is able to offer the few remaining pieces within this series at this very special promotional price of $1200.00 per piece (unframed). 

This is the lowest price these prints have ever been offered, and again, it is only by special arrangement with the Spanek Family that The Art Marketer is able to make this offer.  The offer is not available elsewhere and it will not last! This price is less than half of the price you will find this print offered through Art Galleries or elsewhere.

Once sold out, the series will not be repeated, and the value of each piece will multiply.

Each piece is signed and numbered by the artist and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.

Contact lisa@theartmarketer.com or call us at 914.907.9842 for more details.

 

 

About the Artist

Guy Buffet's work is well-known in both advertising and fine-art contexts. His portraits of waiters (for example, "Les Garçons" and "The Charge of the Flower Bottle Brigade") and restaurant staff are famous, as are his impressionist scenes of his native Paris and his adopted homes of Hawaii and California. He is regarded as one of the living masters of French contemporary impressionism. Guy Buffet shares wall space with Toulouse Lautrec at the Perrier-Jouet Museum in Paris and has been their official artist as well.

Showing unique fascination for color, Buffet's canvas seems to know no boundaries. He takes the casual observer into his work both visually and emotionally. His intention is to create a stopover point where an individual can rediscover the beauty and gaiety which life has to offer.

I take you into my world like a guest into my home. I want you to be comfortable, relaxed, happy; to forget about problems and sorrows.  - Guy Buffet

 

 

*For more information about The Spanek Family, please visit: http://spanek.com/