Valais ski poster Wallis skiing wall art – Libis – 1949

Valais ski poster Wallis skiing wall art

The original Valais ski poster was designed by Herbert Libiszewski, better known as Libis to promote the Swiss ski resort in the Canton of Valais. Libiszewski’s image features a collection of abandoned skis left standing in the show, whilst, well at least we like to think, their owners have nipped off to enjoy a long apres-ski moment.

The bright, colourful vintage Valais ski poster reads ‘Das land der Sonne which translates as ‘The Land of Sunshine’. Valais as it is known in French or Wallis in German is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the southwestern part of the country, around the valley of the Rhone from its headwaters to Lake Geneva, separating the Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps. The canton of Valais is probably best known for the Matterhorn and ski resorts such as Zermatt or Verbier.

In 1949, this stunning Vallis ski poster by Libis was awarded the winner of the annual poster of the year award from the Swiss Federal Department. It is considered one of the most important posters designs of the era and is highly collectible. The poster is extremely rare and doesn’t come to auction very often. A copy came to sale online in 2103 with a guide estimate of £6.000 to £8,000. Such is the importance and scarcity of the Wallis ski poster It sold for more than double the low end of the estimate reaching a figure of £13,750.

Wallis ski poster artist Herbert ‘Libis’ Libiszewski

Herbert Berthold Libiszewski was born in Bischofszell, Switzerland in 1897. His career began as an embroidery designer in St Gallen before becoming a was a fashion illustrator and worked for the magazines’ Vogue, Jardin des Modes, Votre Beauté and Marie Claire. He worked under the pseudonym Libis.

In 1941, ‘Libis’ returned to Switzerland and devoted himself to designing posters and painting. His clients included Schaffhouse who were manufacturers of wool, the department store Jelmoli and Stenfels soap company. He also created several travel posters for the ski resorts of Valais, Pontresina, Rigi and St Moritz.

Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. Whilst great care is taken in the production of these posters, we also try to maintain a vintage feel, so there may be small imperfections, fold marks, scuffs, tears or marks that were part of the original poster master. If these do appear they should be visible on the larger views of the item on this listing. The originals of many of the posters we offer can cost many thousands of pounds, so whilst these posters look great, especially framed and mounted on a wall, they are intended as a fun, affordable reproductions and not intended fine art prints.

The 50x70cm version has been specially produced to be used in conjunction with Ikea’s 50x70cm Ribba picture frame which currently retails for around £12. So you can bag a bargain of print and frame for a great price.