Fondslijst van J. Hetzel & Cie te Parijs 1878

This is a poster by J. Géoffroy-Dickinson advertising the publications of J. Hetzel & Co. in Paris, likely dating from the 1870s. The image is fascinating as it visualizes the company's catalogue through a vibrant scene of children engaging with books and the world of literature. Notice how the figures are arranged almost as if they're emerging from the printed pages themselves. In 19th-century France, the rise of literacy and the expansion of the publishing industry went hand in hand with the development of mass culture. Hetzel was a key player in this landscape, publishing popular authors like Jules Verne, whose name features prominently. This poster isn't just an advertisement; it reflects the era's burgeoning interest in childhood and education, and how books played a role in shaping young minds. To understand the cultural significance of this image, one could delve into the history of French publishing, the development of children's literature, and the visual culture of advertising in the 19th century.