Despite the looming tensions of the Cold War, a sense of peace and prosperity settled throughout much of the world at the end of World War II. Populations rose dramatically, and technological advances such as the arrival of television and the commercial jetliner helped make the world seem like a much smaller place. Global Persuasion explores the veritable “poster boom” of the post-war years, and the distinct consumer and corporate advertising styles it propelled. An interesting blend of whimsy and optimism coupled with vigilance and Atomic Age anxiety, The Mid-Century Modern poster genre represented a monumental shake-up in the field of graphic design and has seen a meteoric rise in popularity in recent years.
Including 35 examples of significant Mid-Century Modern design, the show presents work by pioneers such as Herbert Leupin, Erik Nitsche, Armin Hofmann, and David Klein, and is on display through November 21, 2012.
Browse all of our Mid-Century Modern posters here and stay tuned for more exhibit highlights!
Join us for Boston’s Fashion’s Night Out! The gallery will be open late! Stop by and admire some of our finest fashion posters. FNO attendees will receive a special offer on our large selection of vintage fashion magazine covers and advertisements. Hope to see you there!
Just in time for the opening ceremonies later this week, this gallery favorite tells a rich and timely story. In 1939, the Olympics were awarded to London for the 50th anniversary of the Games (to be held in 1944), but were cancelled due to World War II. After the War, London was chosen to host the Games in 1948 despite wartime damage and the strict austerity of its postwar economy.
None of this high drama is reflected in the timeless poster by Walter Herz, which combines the symbolism of the ancient games in the classical Greek sculpture of Discobolus, with the 5 interlocking rings of the Modern Games. In the background looms London’s dominant symbol, the Houses of Parliament, with Big Ben’s clock showing 4PM – the time at which King George VI would proclaim the Games open.
The so-called “Austerity Games” were enormously successful, featuring athletes from a record 59 countries (although Germany and Japan were not invited and the Soviet Union chose not to participate). The Games were the first to be televised; the BBC paid 1000 pounds sterling for the broadcast rights.
Also, for the first time in 1948, Americans could fly across the Atlantic to attend the Olympics. This example is a very hard-to-find variant with Pan Am Clipper text. There were 3 sizes created; this is the 20 x 30″ medium format.
Browse all of International Poster Gallery’s Olympic posters here.
Have you noticed the latest addition on www.internationalposter.com? The “Get A Quote” button located on every poster detail page allows you to quickly and easily request pricing and condition information. Just enter your name and email and you’ll hear back from one of our knowledgeable and friendly staff members within 24 hours.
We are proud to present Postermania!: Handpicked Summer Favorites, a show and sale of original vintage posters chosen by the gallery’s knowledgeable staff. The term “Postermania” was originally coined during the Belle Epoque and refers to the poster fever that swept Paris during the 1890s. Fittingly, the gallery’s 19th annual summer exhibition features a diverse selection of posters by subject, genre and period, each selected by IPG staff members to reflect their individual tastes.
Read more here, and we’ve love to hear about your favorites in the comments section below!
On May 6, 1937, the Hindenburg, the largest German airship, exploded in flames as it was landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey. Although the immediate cause of the spark is debated, the underlying cause was well known – the United States was the only industrial source of helium in the world and would not sell the “strategic material” to the Nazis. The Zeppelin Company was forced to substitute hydrogen, a flammable material, for helium. The rest is history.
The poster featured above was once owned by the advertising director of American Airlines, the company that managed flights from Lakehurst to New York City for Zeppelin customers. It is still attached to the original board he displayed it on in his office.
For photographs and additional history on the Hinderburg Disaster, we recommend this recent article featured on theatlantic.com.
The IPG staff is busy preparing the gallery for tonight’s Titans of the Sea opening reception and we’re just about ready to unveil this unprecedented collection of ocean liner posters! We’re thrilled to compliment the collection with several artifacts from Boston’s Lannan Ship Model Gallery. The docking telegraph pictured here has a temporary home in our front room near Cassandre’s iconic Normandie. The dramatic piece is from the Matson Line’s SS Mariposa, which was launched in 1931. We’re also excited to be showcasing a model of the Cunard Line’s RMS Caronia amongst other nautical antiques, all of which are for sale at IPG throughout the duration of the exhibit.
Our friends at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts are putting together a fantastic weekend celebrating the artistry and history of rock & roll posters, including a talk by Arnold Skolick and David Edward Byrd. Click here for more details and a schedule of events. And be sure to visit the International Poster Gallery website for more information on our large collection of 1960s rock & roll posters, including hand signed copies of Skolnick’s original Woodstock poster.
