Uploads from National Library NZ on The Commons, tagged poster

Commercial airlines become successful, late 1930s

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:52:29 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

New Zealand Union Airways Ltd, Speed comfort regularity by air; Union Airways, 1936-1939, Relief print, red, green, silver and black, on paper, 886 x 570 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-E-AVIATION-1930s-01

There is something intriguing about cut-away pictures showing a peek inside an inner world, normally hidden from view.

It is often used in children’s illustrations and the covers of toy model boxes! On the other hand, the heading “speed, comfort, regularity” evokes advertising for another type of product altogether.
Union Airways was, from 1936, the largest New Zealand airline, and began a scheduled interisland service on 16 January 1936. In 1938, it merged with East Coast Airways, which had begun in 1935. Both companies had financial backing from the Union Steam Ship Company.

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Shipping poster, 1930s

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:46:46 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

New Zealand Shipping Company Ltd, New Zealand line. R.M.S. Rangitata in Gaillard Cut, 1930s, Screenprint, 980 x 1253 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-H-SHIP-1930s-01

Some of the most striking posters on the international scene in the twentieth century were those showing ships; the large flat surfaces lent themselves well to poster treatment. This one uses a comparatively subtle colour palette.

We think the date is likely to be the early 1930s, because of the style and because the R.M.S. Rangitata was launched in 1929.

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Chang in person - "A trip to Hades"

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:27:45 -0800

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

1939, Lithograph, 380 x 252 mm, Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-C-CABOT-Magic-1939-01

In 1926 Cabot set himself up as a theatrical agent in Wellington, and rented hoardings to advertise picture shows, circus and variety entertainment. His association with circuses continued but the focus of his poster collection broadened to include carnivals, fairs and sideshows, magic shows, visiting variety groups and singers. These visitors appreciated the energy and professionalism that he applied to the job of pre-publicity agent.

This poster is a wonderful example of the rich colour of posters in the 1930s, and uses the technique of lighting the face from below, to convey the thrill and drama of a magic show, and suggest a dark mystery. Two other magician posters in the collection also use this lighting technique. Reviews of the shows were enthusiastic about Chang’s marvellous sleight of hand with bowls of water and bowls of sand, but do not reflect the intimidating thrall of this poster.

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