Judith Miller on collecting vintage travel posters

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This summer, create a display with a collection of vintage travel posters, says Judith Miller.

Travel posters evoke a sense of luxury, glamour and relaxation, with their images aimed at tempting people away from their working lives. These graphic billboards will add a nostalgic tone to your home, and may also make a great investment.

As travel became less expensive during the mid-20th century, posters were produced to advertise railways, cruise liners, motoring and airlines, as well as general tourism.

ABOVE (LEFT - RIGHT): Printed on japan paper by Thomas Forman & Sons in 1949, £350-£450; Designed by J Clift, lithographed in the US, 1958, £250-£350; Design by Mark von Arenburg, c1955, £150-£250.

The 1910s to 1950s was the golden age, before television and other forms of advertising took over, from the 1960s onwards. Railways and cruise liners were the first to be advertised, with the former being a particularly large market. Cruise liner posters continued into the 1930s, with their heyday during the Art Deco period, but then declined with the introduction of air travel in the 1950s.

The value of a poster is often linked to its artist; those created by influential designers, such as Cassandre (Adolphe Mouron), Jean Carlu and Paul Colin will command the highest prices. Cassandre was a well known artist influenced by Surrealism and Cubism. He often used a muted colour palette and typography was also important. Cassandre developed his own font styles, including Bifur and Acier Noir, which are still in use today.

ABOVE (LEFT - RIGHT): c1956 poster design by Reyn Dirksen, Amsterdam, £700-£800; Holland- America Line, c1955 design by Frans Mettes, £500-£600.

Tips for collectors

Most collectors focus on one mode of transport, or a single style, such as Art Deco; but be aware – posters in modern or Art Deco styles tend to be the most sought after, and as such more expensive.
The image itself is of vital importance to the value: those that show the excitement or luxury of the mode of travel, and are executed in bright appealing colours with eye-catching images, are likely to be much more popular.
Always consider condition: most posters before the 1970s were folded; however, a professional restorer can remove these folds. Tears may also be restored, although any damage to the image itself will reduce the value considerably.
Look out for major well-known names in travel, such as the White Star Line, GWR, LNER, Canadian Pacific, Air France and Pan American.
Onslows Auctioneers specialises in vintage posters, including travel and tourism; visit onslows.co.uk for details about their up-and-coming auctions.

FEATURE JUDITH MILLER PHOTOGRAPHS ONSLOWS; VAN SABBEN AUCTIONS
Featured in the July 2009 issue of Period Living