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Ivor Adelman1956 original poster by Ivor Adelman for BEA – British European Airways1956
1956
$3,097.62
£2,301.32
€2,600
CA$4,294.99
A$4,618.90
CHF 2,469.74
MX$55,702.65
NOK 31,231.50
SEK 28,455.92
DKK 19,816.32
About the Item
This striking 1956 original poster by Ivor Adelman for BEA – British European Airways is a brilliant example of post-war British graphic design, where aviation, fashion, and modern living merge into a single, sophisticated visual language. Rather than depicting a straightforward travel scene, Adelman constructs an imaginative still life that celebrates the modern lifestyle made possible by air travel.
At the center of the composition stands a headless fashion mannequin draped in a flowing green and turquoise scarf, its elegant curves evoking haute couture and cosmopolitan glamour. Around it, an eclectic assemblage of contemporary objects—a television set, a bright red industrial engine component, folded textiles, and architectural forms—creates a surreal showroom of mid-century modernity. In the background, a BEA aircraft glides across a clear sky, quietly anchoring the fantasy in the reality of air travel and technological progress.
The poster’s visual vocabulary is deeply rooted in the aesthetics of the 1950s: clean geometry, bold flat color planes, and a refined balance between abstraction and representation. Adelman’s use of color is particularly sophisticated, with cool blues and greens contrasted against vibrant reds and warm neutrals, producing a dynamic yet harmonious composition. The result is not simply an advertisement for flights, but a manifesto for a new era—one in which speed, design, leisure, and internationalism are inseparable.
Today, this poster is regarded as a highly collectible work of airline advertising art. It reflects how BEA positioned itself not merely as a carrier, but as a symbol of modern European culture, innovation, and style. Adelman’s design captures the optimism of the jet age and the belief that air travel was opening the door to a beautifully designed, interconnected world.
Original Poster
Airline - Tourism - United Kingdom
Printed by The Baynard Press
- Creator:Ivor Adelman
- Creation Year:1956
- Dimensions:Height: 39.38 in (100 cm)Width: 25.2 in (64 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:Good condition.
- Gallery Location:PARIS, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1792217450242
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