Reproduced from a BYRON photograph of the liner "Normandie" - Lot 175

"Decorating the Normandie - An Important Collection of Photographic Archives".

A collector's photographic archive - Original prints and old reproductions of the Normandie liner's decorations, interiors, furniture, etc., with annotations, descriptions and observations on cards.

The Normandie, a flagship of French construction, was the world's largest ocean liner when it entered service in 1935.

Despite a short career (4 years) interrupted by the Second World War, Le Normandie leaves a deep imprint on universal memory. She is considered the most successful ocean liner in history. Her particularly sumptuous facilities ensure that she is still considered the most beautiful and luxurious liner ever built.

A masterpiece of architecture and engineering, completed with bold decorations.

The Normandie's interior decoration involved many French artists, craftsmen, prestigious houses and factories.

The general layout was entrusted to architects Pierre Patout, Henri Pacon, Richard Bouwens van der Boijen and Roger-Henri Expert.

Also involved in this large-scale project were : Jules Leleu, Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, Paul Follot, La Maison Daum, Jean Perzel, Raymond Subes, Adalbert Szabo, Auguste Labouret, Jean Bouchaud, RaymondDelamarre, Albert Pommier, Léon Drivier, Louis Dejean, René Lalique, Maurice Pré, Alexandre Turpault, Léon Georges Baudry, Jean Dunand, Carlo Sarrabezoles, Jean Dupas, Jacques CharlesChampigneulle, Jean Maurice Rothschild, Émile Gaudissard, François-Louis Schmied, Alfred Lombard, Georges D'Espagnat, Jean Picart Le Doux, Alfred Janniot, Pierre-Henri Ducos de LaHaille, Henri Bouchard, Louis-William Graux, Gaston Balande, Alexandre Lacowleff, Paul Jouve, Jean-Gabriel Chauvin, Paul Iribe, Mathurin Méheut, Jean de Brunhoff, Louis Garin, Yves Alix, Louis Süe...

A veritable symbol of French savoir-faire and art de vivre, it was through the association and collaboration of all these designers that this titan, a showcase of French Art in the 1930s, was born.