ANTIQUE HENRI CASSIERS RED STAR LINE ADVERTISING FANEventails Chambrelent, Paris • Early 20th Century
This striking antique folding fan is attributed to Flemish artist Henri Cassiers (1858–1944) and was produced in Paris by Eventails Chambrelent to advertise the Red Star Line shipping company.
The wooden fan has a double-sided printed paper leaf, with a colorful red, white and blue American flag design on one side and a blue monochrome maritime scene on the reverse, depicting a Red Star Line ocean liner and figures along the shore.
The wooden guards are inscribed "Red Star Line" on one side and "Antwerp - New York" on the other. The word "York" shows some fading, as shown in the photographs.
DOCUMENTED EXAMPLES
A closely corresponding example is held in the collection of The Fan Museum, London, Object No. LDFAN2003.136.Y. The Fan Museum identifies the object as:
- Artist: Henri Cassiers
- Fan maker: Eventails Chambrelent
- Place made: France
- Technique: Printed
- Object type: Folding fan
- Subject: Advertising / Sea Travel
Another example was offered at sale in 2025 and was described as a Henri Cassiers Red Star Line printed paper and wood folding fan, made in Paris by Eventails Chambrelent and dating to approximately the 1910s.
The Red Star Line operated from 1873 to 1934, carrying approximately two million passengers between Europe and North America. Its Antwerp-New York service was an important part of the great era of European emigration to North America.
MEASUREMENTS
- Folded length / Guard length: approximately 8.5" (21.5 cm)
- Leaf depth: approximately 5.5" (14 cm)
- Overall span when open: approximately 16" (40.5 cm)
CONDITION
Good antique condition.
The fan displays well and remains intact and functional. As expected of an approximately century-old paper fan, there is evidence of age and use, including light soiling/discoloration, foxing/age toning, creasing and wear to the paper, particularly visible on the reverse. There are also some small areas of edge wear to the paper.
The wooden sticks and guards show appropriate age-related wear but remain intact. The metal loop is present. There is some fading to the word "York" on one of the wooden guards; please see photographs.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the condition description.
This is an antique, not a modern reproduction.
It is being offered as found.
A particularly appealing piece for collectors of Henri Cassiers, Red Star Line memorabilia, ocean-liner history, maritime advertising, European advertising art, antique fans, and early 20th-century ephemera.
SOLD AS IS.
I am not an expert in antique fans or maritime ephemera. Information regarding attribution, date and history has been researched from available museum and sale references and is provided in good faith. Please do your own research and examine the photographs before purchasing.
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