Original c.1955–60 SAS Africa Giraffes Travel Poster by Otto Nielsen

Original 1958 SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System) Africa Giraffes advertising poster by Otto Nielsen, showing a painterly mid-century safari scene featuring a family of giraffes amidst textured savanna bushwork under a bright chartreuse sky. Nielsen uses gestural washes of ochre, soft pink, olive green, and deep brown to give the composition movement and depth. The Giraffe artwork is widely considered one of the absolute flagship designs of his entire 1950s animal series. From between around 1955 - 1960.
Printed by Axel Andreasen & Sønner, Copenhagen
Artist: Otto Nielsen, with his small “ON” monogram in the artwork
Dimensions: 39 in x 25 in (100 cm x 62 cm)

Otto Nielsen (1916–2000) was a Danish painter and commercial illustrator closely associated with SAS. He produced posters, calendars and other promotional artwork for the airline for nearly half a century. Rather than relying on literal photographs, he often used loose brushwork, unusual colour and animals associated with each destination.

The tiny white “ON” monogram visible at the lower left of the illustrated area is consistent with Nielsen’s signature.

Uses SAS’s original 1950s three-shield crown logo (representing Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) and features the silhouette of a 1950s long-range four-engine airliner (DC-6/DC-7 era) flying above. 

SAS was formed in 1946 through cooperation between the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish national airlines. Its posters became an important expression of postwar Scandinavian graphic design—usually restrained typography combined with unusually painterly destination imagery.

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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