c.1932 New Mexico and Arizona Rockies Land of History Mystery Travel by Train Willmarths
Date: c.1932
Artist: Willmarth, William and Kenneth
Size (in): 41.5” x 27”
Size (cm): 105 x 69
Condition: B+
Linen backed: Yes
This vintage original and rare poster by The Willmarths is one of about a dozen posters that were created as part of the “Travel by Train” promotional campaign organized by a coalition of American railroads as a cooperative effort in the face of increasing competition from automobile travel in the 1930s. For this poster The Willmarths render an image of a smartly dressed woman in a flapper style hat negotiating with a Native American gentleman over Indian beads and pottery set against the rugged landscape of the desert Southwest. The image area is bracketed by text that reads:
New Mexico and Arizona Rockies – Land of History and Mystery – Travel by Train
The Willmarths were a graphic design team of two brothers, Kenneth and William Willmarth. Based in Omaha, Nebraska the two brothers created several beautiful travel posters for their hometown based Union Pacific Railroad and that railroad’s WWII era Keep ‘Em Rolling campaign.
The Willmarth brothers signed the work they did together as “The Willmarths” which appears in print in the lower right corner of the image area. The lower margin shows the printer of this poster as the Newman Monroe Company of Chicago. This vintage original poster has been professionally backed to linen with some expert touch up as needed including mitigation to fold line wear and slight creases in the image area. The original colors are strongly retained and the poster displays beautifully. Overall condition is very good. Interested buyers are welcome to contact us for photos of the poster prior to linen backing.
