1915, Alfred Ost
c. 1919, Charles Verschuuren jun.
c. 1920, Bernardus van Vlijmen
The first in a series of 500+ posters from the same printing press, dating from the beginning of the last century, are being offered for sale by Van Sabben Poster Auctions. They all originate from the renowned Amsterdam Lithographers Kotting who, from the outset, specialized in advertising material, especially posters. Advertising and design agencies barely existed at that time so the printers looked after the whole project - from the design, printing and distribution - for its customers, regardless of whether they sold bicycles, soles or toothpaste. Artists of (subsequent) name and fame, such as Raoul Hynckes, Jan Sluijters, Mommie Schwarz to mention a few, painted posters for these products.
In addition to their work, the auction house is also offering many placards from the famous designers Alfred Ost and Charles Verschuuren Jr., who were both connected to the printers’ studio.
Kotting, which started in 1883 in the Spuistraat, soon had to relocate to the Lijnbaansgracht where an initial modest building was gradually expanded to include the neighboring buildings. Expansion continued until when, in 1912, one hundred years ago, the whole corner of the Lijnbaansgracht / Elandsgracht was occupied by a brand new company complex. The De Looier antique market is now situated here. A tall company chimney towered proudly above the printing company as Kotting’s lithographic presses were steam driven.
Twelve artists inhabited the single studio because there was plenty of work. Many of them were involved with posters for theatrical performances because the founder, Jan Ludolf Christiaan Kotting, was married to actress Rebekka Vos, who starred in the Bouwmeester Revue and Salon des Variétés. In addition, he managed to find his way into the theatre world via the public stage. As a result, the auction house is offering a number of brightly colored posters covering dramas, comedy and revues, with a large placard (110x154 cm) from 1919 for the revue from the Flora Theatre’s “Mother!! He’s at it again!” (lot no: 831) being the hilarious trump card. A youthful, shocked young lady shouts this out below while she, in her high heel shoes, balances on the edge of the crescent of the moon which, with a lustful grimace, peeks under her extremely short skirt. It is the virtuoso fantasy of Charles Verschuuren jr., an artist from Tilburg who, after having studied 'affiche artistique' in Paris, became Studio Manager at Kotting in 1915.
Four generations of Kotting would manage the successful printing company before the name Kotting disappeared in 1990 owning a much larger entity than what it now is under the outdoor advertising company CBS Outdoor. The great-grandson of the founder has now brought a large selection of posters for auction.
As a matter of fact, a lot of other special (inter)national posters are being auctioned, such as great works from the poster culture, e.g. by A.M. Cassandre, M. Satomi, A. Games, E. Maurus an Toorop, Willy Sluiter and many others!
The catalogue can be ordered online, but can also be consulted via Van Sabben Poster Auctions
1923, Henri C. Pieck
c. 1925, Samuel Schwarz (Mommie)
c. 1935, Frans Hazeveld