The early 20th century marked a moment in history when world travel became possible through the marvels of modern engineering. Travel by rail, luxurious ocean liner, and plane made it possible to visit exotic destinations that previously had existed in books and imagination. This “Golden Age of Travel” lasted through the outbreak of World War II and left a remarkable visual record through the incredible travel posters that were created during that time.
The lithographic poster was created at the dawning of this golden age of travel, and was the perfect way to advertise the means of travel while enticing the viewer with scenes from far off destinations. These posters often used large colorful images with bold typography and were plastered throughout the cities and travel hubs of Europe and the United States. We have curated a captivating collection of vintage and vintage-inspired travel posters to inspire those last-minute summer vacations with scenes of world landmarks and natural wonders. Included are vintage posters advertising destinations such as Cuba, Antibes, Sanremo, South Africa, Florida, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and vintage-inspired posters by illustrator Steve Forney, Kem McNair, Brian James, and Lantern Press. Shop the McGaw Graphics Vintage Travel Poster Collection.