WAY WE FLEW, THE

Air Classics, Aug 2004 by O'Leary, Michael

COLLECTING VINTAGE AIRLINE POSTERS

Not all that long ago, travel by airliner was adventurous, romantic, and limited to those with above average means. To fly with the airlines meant one expected impeccable first-class service and one dressed for the occasion. Not any more!

Today, those past years of flight are captured in attractive travel posters which were printed by the airlines in order to capture business. The very first days of airliner operations following the Great War were pretty rugged and advertising was at a minimum as the handful of early airlines fought to survive. Aircraft were usually war-surplus machines with a few crude modifications to accommodate very brave passengers.

Posters from this early period are rare and expensive.

However, with the 1920s and 1930s the airlines entered a Golden Age and highly-stylized advertising art was produced in large quantities since the companies had to sell their services and persuade possible customers to inquire and, hopefully, utilize the airlines. This meant that the poster art had to be dramatic with a visual positive impact that would convey the sophistication, glamour, and adventure of travel by air. After all, only a very small percentage of humanity had flown and the airline traveler would carry a special cache of distinction.

Over the next few issues we are going to take a look at airline posters, examine their values (now often over five figures for especially desirable exampies), and list sources where vintage posters may be obtained. By their very nature, these posters were temporary at best and few have survived but just a few of these beautiful pieces of art can be the focal point of an aviation collection. So, sit back and enjoy the view as we take flight on "paper wings."