A striking Pan Am travel poster promoting Hawaii through its famous surf culture. A surfer on a yellow board rides inside a breaking turquoise wave, with the white Pan Am logo and oversized HAWAII lettering below. The close-up photograph puts the viewer almost in the water, selling the excitement of the destination.
Pan Am had a long connection with Hawaii, which became an essential stop on its trans-Pacific flying routes during the 1930s. By the jet age, advertising like this helped present the islands as a destination for sunshine, adventure and ocean sports.
Provenance: Printed in U.S.A. P262
Printing method: colour offset lithography on paper, reproducing a photograph.
Dimensions: 42 in x 28 in (108 cm x 71 cm)
The photograph is credited to Tom Haar, a photographer born in Tokyo in 1941 who studied visual design at the University of Hawaii. His career has included photography, teaching and exhibitions, with work connecting Hawaii, Japan and the United States. Here, the tightly framed action photograph gives Pan Am’s advertising an immediate sense of energy and adventure.
Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the premier international airline of the United States throughout much of the 20th century. Founded in 1927 by Juan Trippe as a modest airmail carrier, it rapidly expanded into a global aviation titan that pioneered luxury transoceanic "Clipper" flying boats, commercial jetliner travel with the Boeing 707, and the introduction of the Boeing 747 wide-body jet. Widely regarded as the unofficial flag carrier of the U.S. and an iconic symbol of the Jet Age.
Because of the age of these posters, there are areas of wear and tear, particularly on the edges. I have done my best to take photos where they are torn or stained. The good news is that when framed, the tears press up well against glass, and edges can be hidden by mats. Any wear picked up from years are part of the vintage charm.
When framed these colourful and detailed posters, with vibrant colours can become a centre piece for any room, to remind us of a simpler time.
These posters are sent as unframed. They will be delivered in a cardboard tube for protection.
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