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Heart of the Casbah (Au cœur de la Casbah) – 1952 – Original Japanese B2 Poster | Postwar Design | Plakat | 73 × 51 cm
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 12 sales
Product description
🎬 Heart of the Casbah (Au cœur de la Casbah) – 1952 – Original Japanese B2 Poster
French Colonial Noir, Reimagined in Postwar Japanese Design
Offset Lithograph | 73 × 51 cm | Japan
This rare 1952 Japanese B2 poster for "Heart of the Casbah" (Au cœur de la Casbah) offers a striking cross-cultural artifact: a French colonial noir reinterpreted through the lens of postwar Japanese graphic design. The composition is a masterclass in mid-century poster art, with bold, hand-rendered Japanese typography framing a moody, atmospheric illustration of Algiers’ labyrinthine Casbah. The palette—muted ochres, deep blues, and stark black—evokes both the North African setting and the shadowy intrigue of the film’s narrative. The poster’s vertical format and dynamic layout reflect the Japanese B2 standard, while the visual language bridges French cinematic glamour and Japanese modernism.
Produced for the Japanese release of Pierre Cardinal’s 1952 film, this poster is a testament to the global reach of French cinema in the early 1950s and the sophistication of Japanese print culture. The film, a noir-inflected drama set in colonial Algiers, was part of a wave of European imports that captivated Japanese audiences in the postwar era. Japanese distributors often commissioned original artwork rather than reusing European designs, resulting in unique posters that are now highly sought after by collectors. The B2 format, favored for its display versatility, further enhances the poster’s desirability.
✨ Why It Matters
This poster stands at the intersection of French colonial cinema and Japanese graphic innovation. Its rarity is underscored by the fact that Japanese posters for non-American foreign films from the early 1950s are seldom seen on the market, especially in the B2 format. The design’s blend of French and Japanese aesthetics—evident in the stylized depiction of the Casbah and the elegant kanji—makes it a compelling piece for collectors of world cinema, mid-century design, and cross-cultural ephemera. The poster’s original offset lithography, likely produced in limited runs, adds to its scarcity. For those interested in the history of film distribution, this piece also illustrates how Japanese audiences engaged with European art and genre cinema during a period of rapid cultural transformation.
📐 Poster Details
- Title: Heart of the Casbah (Au cœur de la Casbah)
- Year: 1952
- Country: Japan
- Size: 73 × 51 cm
- Format: B2
- Print type: Offset lithograph
- Language: Japanese
- Studio / Publisher: (Not specified; typically credited to the Japanese distributor)
- Designer: (Unknown)
🔎 Condition
Original 1952 print, not a reissue. The poster is preserved in very good vintage condition, with minor edge wear and light fold lines typical of Japanese B2s from this era. No major tears or pinholes are visible; colors remain vivid with only slight toning to the paper. Displays beautifully when framed, retaining its full visual impact and historical integrity.
Minor edge wear. Take a look at the pictures, what you see is what you get.
Minor edge wear. Take a look at the pictures, what you see is what you get.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsMulti ColorMaterialPaperNumber of items1OrientationPortraitArt sizeMediumHeight73 cmWidth51 cm
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About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 12 sales