1956  "GRAND CIRCUIT DES CAPITALES". A fine example of this original vintage  pictorial map of eastern hemisphere, with a route starting and finishing in Paris, after having travelled in the capitals of Europe and Asia, designed and drawn by J P Jannot, a french artist. This map, lithographed in original colours was created as a promotional poster for Chocolat Menier. This colourful pictorial map covers much of the eastern hemisphere, including Europe and Asia all the way to the Pacific. Details feature famous architectural edifices, landmarks, traditions, customs and iconic vignettes of nature and peoples, flora and fauna which facilitate identification of each country. Forests, bears and easily identifiable Russian Orthodox churches fill the vast space of Siberia, with the Moscow Kremlin in western Russia. Neptune rides a sea monster in the Atlantic near the British Isles.

Chocolat Menier had long been using posters as advertisements when this pictorial map was published in 1956. The company was founded in 1816 as a pharmaceutical manufacturer in Paris which manufactured chocolate as a medicinal product. The first posters were published in 1893 featuring a young girl using a piece of chocolate to write the name Chocolat Menier on a wall or window. The posters were an immediate success and the image of the girl would soon be featured on Menier’s packed products as well as on promotional items such as tin ware, creamers, bowls, canister sets and even children’s exercise books.The company’s presence quickly increased in the international market, and in 1893 Chocolat Menier exhibited at the World’s Fair in Chicago where they were billed as the leading chocolate makers in the world. The company continued to prosper till WWI, when the neutral countries of Switzerland and the US were able to forge ahead in the market, untouched by the ravages of war. Despite this Chocolat Menier continued production but suffered setbacks again as WWII swept the continent.

Condition is generally fine with with original folds, as issued. Overall size approx 112cm x 61cm.