Cachou Lajaunie – Francisco Tamagno – 1890

This is a reproduction of the first advertising poster for Cachou Lajaunie.  It was created by the artist Francisco Tamagno who is better known for his poster artwork for Terrot Cycles. The vintage poster features an elegantly dressed woman extolling the virtues of the mint and liquorice breath freshener lozenge manufactured by French pharmacist Léon Lajaunie.

“The pharmacist, Leon Lajaunie, set up his pharmacy in Toulouse. After developing several invigorating elixirs, he turned to cachou as an aromatic for perfuming the breath whose strong flavour covered smoker’s breath… Tamagno shows here, as in his other posters, great technical virtuosity, and faultless artistic sense. A young woman, sporting a jaunty hat decorated with flowers is shown presenting a tin of Lajaunie Cachous… to six gentlemen who are captivated by her. Each of the gentlemen represents a sample of the professions where the Cachous were deemed particularly indispensable, notably: chauffeurs of landaulets…, racing cyclists, magistrates and tobacco vendors.” (Health Posters, p. 169)

As the poster image shows the lozenge was aimed towards smokers, chauffeurs, cyclists and drivers and the poster wording reinforces the fact. Original copies of this rare poster sell for over £2,500.

Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. Whilst great care is taken in the production of these posters, we also try to maintain a vintage feel, so there may be small imperfections, fold marks, scuffs, tears or marks that were part of the original poster master. If these do appear they should be visible on the larger views of the item on this listing. The originals of many of the posters we offer can cost many thousands of pounds, so whilst these posters look great, especially framed and mounted on a wall, they are intended as a fun, affordable reproductions and not intended fine art prints

The 50x70cm version has been specially produced to be used in conjunction with Ikea’s 50x70cm Ribba picture frame which currently retails for around £12. So you can bag a print and frame for a great price.