Collection: Loterie Nationale

The French Loterie Nationale: After a series of closures and a long absence, the lottery was revived in 1933 by the socialist government in need of funds to help war invalids, veterans and victims of agricultural disasters.

Because of his formidable reputation as a graphic artist, the notable French artist, Edgard Derouet, was commissioned to create a campaign to promote the new venture. This was no small task, the public needed to be persuaded to participate. Derouet did not disappoint, and the famous "jumping man" campaign was born. The simplicity of the figure allowed the artist to elaborate on the settings in which he placed him. Derouet created the majority of Loterie Nationale posters himself, but some special edition campaigns were done in conjunction with famed graphic artist Charles Lesacq.

The lottery closed just before World War II however, after the war, the draw became weekly with special instalments appearing for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Friday the 13th. With it's decades-long campaign 'Loterie Nationale' became a household name and the posters in this beautiful collection come from that period.