WHAT: A circa 1938 poster for Pan American World Airways (commonly known as Pan Am) that sold recently at Swann Galleries is instantly recognizable as the work of poster artist Paul George Lawler. Lawler's posters for Pan Am are highly collected, but this is one of the most desirable. Soaring above a pre-sale estimate of $8,000 - $12,000, it brought $20,000.
MORE: Many Pan Am and airplane fans collect specific images within their passions. The poster's image of a Boeing 314 Flying Clipper is a star, as is the fantasy tropical lagoon. Imagine how exotic it must have seemed in 1938!
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: Poster designer Paul George Lawler created travel posters for Pan Am from 1938-1942, advertising vacation destinations including Europe, Asia, the South Seas, Mexico and Rio. His last poster design dates from 1942, which places his work in a known time period. In the collecting world, that is a good thing.
HOT TIP: The location shown on the poster, romantic as it is, does not exist. It looks to be a composite of several tropical bays in the South Pacific, yet the characteristics shown do not match actual geography. In sum, it is a fantasy with real details inserted. The artist probably worked from photos.
BOTTOM LINE: It is very rare to find this poster with text measuring 40 1/2 inches by 26 3/4 inches. According to the house, only two others have auction results. Rarity, desirability and aesthetics drove the market on this one!
