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Title: Maicon & Co.
Description: In 1919, the citizens of Nice and the surrounding areas thrilled to the sight of young Auguste Maïcon (1892-1974). Only the second person to receive his pilot’s license in his home province of Alpes-Maritimes, Maïcon stunned his audience with stunts like flying his airplane underneath a bridge in Nice that spanned the river Var. This was an especially daring feat as the space under these bridges was not much bigger than wingspan of Maïcon’s airplane. He had previously shown himself to be a daring aerobatic flyer at the 1910 Nice air show. Maïcon would go on to further flying exploits, such as being the first to cross various portions of the area of France around Nice, as well as offering aerial tourism and an early passenger service. This poster, by noted aviation artist Alfred Daguet (1875) advertises Maïcon’s aerial tourism business. |
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One Caudron biplane soars into the air, while another sits on the tarmac waiting for first-time flyers to board. Baptism by air (“baptême de l’air,” one’s first flight) introduced many to the aviation business and converted many passengers into avid advocates of aviation. Maïcon’s Companie Maritime Transports Aérienne (C.M.T.A.) also offered transportation to nearby destinations along France’s famous Côte d’Azur Although Maïcon was once well-known, he died in obscurity in 1974. His influence, however, is still felt today in Nice. His early work in the aviation industry not only helped cities in the south of France to encourage their citizens to fly, but also to support the development of infrastructure, such as airports. Artist Alfred Daguet’s pleasing cream and blue composition highlights Maïcon’s dynamic business venture, and acts to advocate the aviation enterprise in general. Daguet, a sergeant in the nascent French military air arm, was very familiar with airplanes. His aviation experience paired with his “keen sense of observation,” influenced his paintings. Critics hailed the artist as “truly ‘an apostle of aerial art.’” Attendees to an art exhibition that featured military aeronautics, held in 1919 in Paris, especially praised his watercolors of both French and foreign aircraft. |
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