This original French political poster was produced during the 1969 presidential election following the resignation of Charles de Gaulle. It targets Alain Poher, the acting president and centrist candidate who opposed Georges Pompidou in the second round.
The slogan La France ne croit pas au Poher-Noël is a play on the familiar expression La France ne croit pas au Père Noël—“France does not believe in Santa Claus”. By replacing Père with Poher, the poster dismisses the candidate’s promises as unrealistic or too good to be true.
A grotesque caricature of Poher occupies the centre of the composition, surrounded by large, irregularly formed lettering. Printed entirely in black upon a plain white ground, the design relies upon visual humour and a memorable pun rather than detailed political argument.
Its bold typography, simplified illustration and limited palette clearly continue the graphic language developed during May 1968. Like many posters created within this radical tradition, it is unsigned and presents political communication as an anonymous and collective form of expression.
Both a striking piece of electoral satire and an important document of post-May 68 France, this original poster would make a significant addition to a collection devoted to French political history, protest graphics, Alain Poher or the 1969 presidential election.
Original poster
May 68 - Politics
Good condition, folds, a tear
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