Artist: Frank McNamara
Condition: B *
Dimensions: 25.7 x 39.7 in. / 65.3 x 100.8 cm.
Circa: 1955
Linen Backed
* See Condition Grading section for further details
There is restoration along the edge areas to address tears, creasing, crinkling, losses and water staining, and some of the damage caused by the water staining can still be seen near the vertical edges; almost all of the damage is only in the edge area and not in the main beach/ocean area or where the couple is seated; notwithstanding its defects, this beautiful, rare, and fun midcentury poster should display nicely once framed.
In this wonderful piece of postwar Australian travel poster art, a couple relaxes on a sun-drenched terrace overlooking what appears to be Bondi Beach. Cat-eye sunglasses, cold drinks, a striped awning overhead, and a Constellation is just visible in the sky beyond. The tagline "So Near By" does exactly what it's meant to: make Australia feel accessible to the long-haul traveler.
The painterly illustration style sits comfortably alongside the best American airline poster work of the period. Qantas posters from this era are scarce outside Australia and have a devoted collector base worldwide.