1960s Swiss Air Zermatt Ski Poster

Swissair, established from a merger in 1931, is considered an iconic Swiss enterprise for its long standing international reputation and economic success. In the 1960s the airline expanded global routes and successfully acquired innovative aircraft, thus perhaps since their reputation preceded them there was no need for an over-zealous and convoluted promotional image.

Manfred Bingler instead presented a beautifully simple yet bold image of the famous peak in Zermatt, Switzerland for the 1964 campaign. Bingler seemed to favour a bare, untouched quality for his images to appeal to the Swissair traveller, and this mountain images exemplifies this style with its never-ending, turquoise sky. The mountain, covered in sunlight, appears etched into the skyline, further conveying the wonderfully open freedom of flight. This colour lithograph of iconic style and significance is in great condition.

In B+ condition - a poster in good condition; there may be some very slight paper loss, the paper may have yellowed (light-stained)

A key attraction to this type of memorabilia is their usability: unlike the one-off pleasure of a bottle of wine or stamps stowed away in an album, these posters are works of art made to be displayed - ideally in a ski lodge and increasingly in the home too.

For anyone who's ever curled up with a chocolat chaud and fondue after a day on the slopes or stepped outside their chalet to a landscape of immaculate fresh powder under an icy blue sky, skiing is a captivating experience that offers thrill and indulgence in equal measure. It's no surprise then that images reminding people of their time in these mountain paradises have become such popular and sought-after collectibles.

Before the widespread use of photography these posters were designed by French and Swiss artists who were trained in traditional techniques of illustration such as stone lithography, and commissioned by hotels or regional tourist bodies, making these fine pieces true and valid works of art. By the 60's there was a shift to incorporating photography into posters and these too are now eminently collectible and starkly beautiful works.

In generally very good condition, with some pin holes in the corners and a small tear to the top right corner - please enquire for images.