Mid-Century French School Wall Chart “The Livestock Fair” - 23¼" x 31"

This 1950s French school wall chart, titled The Livestock Fair, depicts a bustling provincial market square in finely printed color lithography. The scene unfolds in soft blues, terracotta, and straw tones, with cattle lined along ropes, milk churns, villagers and buyers in conversation, early trucks and a bus, and a ring of hillside houses under a broad sky. Printed title and series number appear along the upper margin, with publisher’s credit along the lower edge. The sheet is mounted in a later dark-stained wooden frame that suits its academic character. Condition is good, with light age toning, a few small handling marks at the edges, and minor scuffing to the frame.

Such didactic charts were produced by specialist educational publishers for use in classrooms, where they served to teach geography, history, and trades. Typically issued in numbered series and printed on both sides with two themes, they were designed to be easily legible from across the room and to spark discussion. This rural market subject reflects postwar France, when agricultural life and local commerce remained central to everyday experience, and the clear, narrative illustration aligns with mid-century pedagogical ideals that favored clarity, color, and observation of daily life.

Displayed above a console in a countryside entryway to set a welcoming rural tone to suggest the farm-to-table traditions at the heart of rural cooking, or in a study or playroom for its gentle pedagogical spirit, this vintage chart adds warmth, narrative, and nostalgic charm to a wall.  It also pairs beautifully with vintage fair plaques or agricultural awards, creating a cohesive and characterful display that celebrates rural life and its enduring heritage.