Rare Old Surrealist World Map by Boucher, 1950: Air France Air Routes, Cultural Scenes, Sea Creatures

Introducing the exquisite "Sur Les Ailes D'Air France Decouvrez Le Monde A Votre Tour," a captivating world map created by the renowned French artist Lucien Boucher in 1950. This map is a testament to Boucher's artistic prowess and his long-standing collaboration with Air France, for whom he designed numerous travel posters. The map not only serves as a navigational tool but also as a visual celebration of the burgeoning era of global air travel in the mid-20th century. Boucher's work, deeply influenced by the commercial promise of Surrealism, is evident in the vibrant and imaginative illustrations that adorn this piece.

Lucien Boucher's map is a thematic and pictorial marvel, showcasing Air France's extensive air routes that connected the world in the post-World War II era. The map highlights the airline's global reach, with routes crisscrossing continents and oceans, symbolizing the dawn of a new age in international travel. The detailed inset map of Europe and North Africa further emphasizes the airline's strategic routes in these regions, making it a valuable historical document of aviation history.

The design and style of this map are nothing short of breathtaking. Boucher's artistic flair is evident in the decorative illustrations that frame the map, depicting people and scenes from various cultures around the world. The map features a vibrant color palette and intricate details, including mythical sea creatures, ships, and airplanes traversing the oceans. The decorative compass rose at the top center adds a touch of elegance, while the sun illustrations in the oceans enhance the map's aesthetic appeal.

This map is not just a visual delight but also a rich source of historical context. It captures the essence of the mid-20th century, a time when air travel was becoming increasingly accessible and Air France was at the forefront of this revolution. The mapmaker, Lucien Boucher, brought his unique artistic vision to this piece, blending cartographic precision with imaginative illustrations. His background in Surrealism and his experience in designing for Air France are evident in the map's captivating design.

The "Sur Les Ailes D'Air France Decouvrez Le Monde A Votre Tour" map is a remarkable piece of art and history. It offers a glimpse into a bygone era when air travel was a symbol of progress and adventure. The map's detailed depiction of continents, countries, and air routes, along with its decorative elements, makes it a prized possession for collectors and enthusiasts of vintage maps and aviation history. This map is not just a representation of geographical locations but a celebration of the spirit of exploration and the wonders of the world as seen through the eyes of Lucien Boucher.

Countries and regions on this map

• Continents:
• North America
• South America
• Europe
• Africa
• Asia
• Australia
• Countries and regions:
• United States
• Canada
• Brazil
• Argentina
• United Kingdom
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• North Africa (including countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia)
• Middle East (including countries like Saudi Arabia)
• India
• China
• Japan
• Australia
• Various islands in the Pacific Ocean

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Smaller inset maps or additional illustrations:
• A detailed inset map showing Air France’s routes in Europe and North Africa, located at the bottom center of the map.
• Decorative illustrations around the borders depicting people and scenes from various cultures around the world.
• Bodies of water:
• Grand Océan du Pacifique (Pacific Ocean)
• Océan Atlantique (Atlantic Ocean)
• Océan Indien (Indian Ocean)
• Sea, road, and rail routes:
• Air routes of Air France are prominently marked across the map.
• Other interesting features:
• Illustrations of ships and airplanes traversing the oceans.
• Decorative compass rose at the top center.
• Illustrations of mythical sea creatures in the oceans.
• Sun illustrations in the oceans.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Air France - Sur Les Ailes D'Air France Decouvrez Le Monde A Votre Tour
• Creation date: 1950
• Mapmaker or publisher: Lucien Boucher
• Interesting context about the mapmaker: Lucien Boucher was a French artist known for his travel posters for Air France. He began designing for Air France around 1935 and continued until his seventies. Boucher's work is noted for its Surrealist influence and decorative style.
• Topics and themes shown on the map:
• Air routes: The map shows Air France’s air routes around the world.
• Illustrations: Beautiful illustrations of people and scenes from around the world.
• Design style: The map is thematic and pictorial, adorned with decorative illustrations.
• Design or style context: The map is characterized by a decorative and pictorial style, reflecting the commercial promise of Surrealism. It includes vibrant illustrations and a detailed depiction of Air France's global routes.
• Historical significance: This map represents the post-World War II era of aviation and the expansion of global air travel. It highlights the importance of Air France in connecting different parts of the world during the mid-20th century.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.