Take a Trip Around the Globe with Vintage Travel Posters
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Travel posters have recently been enjoying a surge in popularity. These fabulous works of art were originally used by the travel industry as a communication tool, enticing people to hop aboard and discover new destinations. The graphics and messages evolved over time as the various means of travel developed and as artistic styles and techniques changed over the years.
Whether you prefer to peruse the extensive collections available online or to purchase a reproduction or even a collector’s item from the 1920s, travel posters are a perfect means of armchair travel, the best way of seeing the world when travel is not possible for any number of reasons. And when you gaze at the depiction of a time long ago and a place you dreamed of or may have even visited, it’s sure to spark a twinkle of nostalgia.
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Travel posters were the main type of advertisement used by travel companies and agencies to draw potential customers in and convince them to buy a ticket to the exotic destinations depicted on them. They were prominently displayed in public spaces, travel agencies, train stations and elsewhere, grabbing the attention of passersby with powerful images and bold colors.
In addition to the depiction of enticing destinations and activities one can engage in upon arrival, travel posters frequently displayed the modes of transportation by which one would arrive at those places. It was often the ocean liner and rail companies themselves that commissioned some of the most popular travel posters.
As the era of intercontinental air travel developed after WWII, airlines had posters designed to promote the advantages of traveling by plane, illustrating the far-flung corners of the world one could reach by air and highlighting the speed at which one could get to these stunningly exotic destinations.
The function of travel posters as an advertising tool gradually faded as other means of communication - radio, television and the internet - developed. Today we consider the golden age of the travel poster to have been from the 1920s through the 1960s. Many of these were veritable works of art in a wide range of styles, produced by artists who were already well known to their contemporaries or who achieved renown through their poster work.
DESIGN
While the artwork of travel posters had to fulfill its original purpose - that of advertising travel for the transportation and tourist industries - it also took on a life of its own as a bona fide form of art. In their heyday, travel posters were prominently on display everywhere and were viewed by a wide audience, leading to the rise in popularity of the artists themselves. Some collectors of travel posters today aim to collect as many posters designed by their preferred artist as they can find. Here are three examples from Madame Zozo’s extensive article on the topic.
Artist: Abram Games
Artist: Edmond Maurus
Artist: Tom Purvis
Travel poster artwork exhibited the styles of a broad range of artists, reflecting the artistic and design movements of the time. The influence of Art Nouveau is visible in the early 1900s and that of Art Deco is seen in the 20s and 30s. Cubism and Contemporary art influences are to be found in posters of later periods.
The transformation of the collective mood of the time was also on display. Posters of the late 1940s and 50s reflected serene, uplifting views of landscapes and the seaside, as well as extolling the awe-inspiring architectural achievements to be visited in cities.
As opportunities for travel continued to grow through the 1960s, 70s and 80s, producers of travel posters began to use color photographic imagery and the bold, avant-garde graphics of the modern and psychedelic movements of the 60s and 70s.
NOSTALGIA
When we view travel posters, we can take a vicarious trip around the globe. But the posters of yesteryear take us on an emotional journey in time as well, reminding us of high-points in our lives when we may have gone to the depicted destination for a family vacation or a honeymoon. We may feel calmed as we view a place where we studied abroad as a young adult, at a time when life felt simpler, fun and carefree. A destination visited by a loved one who has passed on can hold a special meaning. As we travel through time and space, feelings of nostalgia may engulf us, which we at the Vintage Travelers believe can be very beneficial.
CHECK OUT SOME MORE POSTERS!
VIEW ONLINE FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME
Approximately 350 travel posters from the Boston Public Library’s Print Department, most dating from the 1920’s to the 1940’s. A beautiful collection to view online, some available for download.
A huge collection of vintage travel posters to enjoy viewing on your screen or to download! From their website: “Find and download your favorite pictures here for free!”
View a collection of travel posters by influential watercolor artist, David Klein from the 50s and 60s.
BRING YOUR FAVORITE PLACES HOME TO YOU
If you wish to bring these breathtaking images into your own home and enjoy these getaways on an everyday basis, there are many options for purchasing reproductions of travel posters or even original vintage posters produced in the golden age of the travel poster.
Original Vintage Posters:
International Poster Gallery in Boston, MA offers online shopping for original vintage posters. Their selection comes from many different parts of the world and covers all eras of the travel poster.
Their article “A Key to Poster Value: Six factors that affect price & collectibility in fine art posters,” provides essential information and guidelines on buying and collecting original vintage posters. It addresses the question: “How does one determine the value of original vintage posters? As with fine art or collectibles such as stamps or coins, the task is not always simple.”
This company deals exclusively in original vintage posters and is a member of the International Vintage Poster Dealers Association. The collection features a number of artists and offers posters from many parts of the world.
In business since 1998, IVPDA member The Vintage Poster “specializes in the original antique vintage European stone lithographs which are rare and collectible.” The company sells both original vintage posters and sells high quality reproductions through Poster Passion.
Reproductions of Vintage Posters and Retro Posters:
Prints, various sizes to chose from, organized by travel companies and travel destinations (sometimes offer 50-55% off). They also have framed art prints available.
A variety of vintage travel poster reproductions. Many printing options available: museum quality paper, canvas, metal sign, T-shirts and mugs!
Amazon has a wide variety of vintage and retro prints.
Lots of retro and vintage prints available from a number of different sellers, in typical Etsy fashion.
A good mix of vintage poster reproductions. What I like about art.com is what they say in the blurb introducing their vintage travel print collection:
These retro travel ads inspired people at the time to take trips to far-flung destinations. Let them instill the same wanderlust in you by using them to decorate your favorite spaces. Vintage art from special places lets you take time-traveling trips to wherever and whenever you choose.
That’s what we at the VT are all about!