This circa 1930 aviation poster by Lucien Cave commemorates a landmark achievement in early powered flight: Henri Farman’s historic closed-circuit flight of one kilometre on 13 January 1908, one of the first controlled sustained flights in Europe. Produced during the interwar period, the poster reflects France’s pride in its pioneering role in aviation history.
The scene captures Farman’s biplane in flight above a simplified airfield landscape, while spectators below celebrate the accomplishment. Cave’s graphic style — bold colours, simplified silhouettes, and clean composition — is characteristic of aviation publicity posters of the 1920s–30s, designed to evoke technological progress and national prestige.
The headline “C’est à la France que le monde doit ses ailes” translates as “It is to France that the world owes its wings,” reinforcing the patriotic message and highlighting French contributions to early aeronautics. The inscription below specifies the achievement:
“Premier vol de 1 kilomètre en circuit fermé (Europe) — Un Français : Henri Farman, 13 janvier 1908.”
(“First 1-kilometre closed-circuit flight in Europe — A Frenchman: Henri Farman, 13 January 1908.”)
Today, this poster is valued both as a historical tribute to a major aviation milestone and as an example of elegant early-20th-century graphic design celebrating the dawn of modern flight.
Original Poster
Aviation - France
The world owes its wings to France
Printed by Synchronized advertising in Lyon
Good condition
Sign up & benefit from discounts or exclusive offers.