Williamson Auction
Live Auction

Cold Weather. Hot Lots.

Thu, Jan 29, 2026 12:00PM EST
Lot 691

Fly Air America USA Europe Africa Asia Vintage Travel Poster

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$150 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$4,000 $500
$15,000 $1,000
$50,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000

This striking mid-century travel poster, often attributed to the 1950s or early 1960s, promotes global travel through a stylized representation of world destinations. The bold graphic features a central airplane silhouette soaring over a compass-like arrangement of iconic global landmarks and cultural figures—including the Eiffel Tower for Europe, an elephant for India, and traditional African figures—encapsulating the "Golden Age" of air travel. Unlike the later CIA-linked "Air America" airline, this vintage aesthetic reflects the commercial optimism and "Pictures of Persuasion" style used by major carriers like TWA and Pan Am to entice affluent tourists with promises of romance and fantasy. The vibrant color palette and geometric modernist design make it a quintessential example of mid-century commercial art that was originally produced in limited runs for display in travel agencies and airports.

Dimensions: H: 44 in W: 32 in

Condition Report

The poster is in good vintage condition, exhibiting bright color retention and clear registration throughout the central image. As is common with original large-format paper ephemera of this age, minor handling creases and light edge wear may be present. There are no significant tears, major staining, or large-scale foxing noted within the primary graphic area. The paper remains stable, reflecting the durability of archival-quality materials often used for these professional promotional pieces.

 

Vintage Travel Poster, Airline Advertising, Air America, Mid Century Modern, 1950s Art, World Travel, Aviation Collectible, Global Landmarks, Graphic Design History, Original Lithograph

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Shipping

For shipping assistance, we recommend contacting the following trusted professionals:

UPS Store: Phone 954-963-7134 Email store0288@theupsstore.com website

theupsstore.com/0288

Alternatively, we can provide additional recommendations for third-party shipping

services. All items will be shipped within 10 business days after payment has cleared.

Items must be picked up within 10 business days following the auction. Items not

collected within this timeframe will be placed in storage at a fee of $10.00 per item per day.