KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Maintaining a Fine Tradition The Flying Dutchman poster – Joop van Heusden – 1953
This is a fantastic reproduction of a rare 1950s airline poster produced by the world’s oldest airline – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The poster was illustrated by the Dutch artist Joop van Heusden. It features a variation of KLM’s ongoing use of the legend of the Flying Dutchman in their promotional airline posters.
De Vliegende Hollander, as it is known in Holland, is a legendary ghost ship, first dating back to the late 18th century, that was doomed to sail the seven seas, never being able to put into port. It seems a strange element to add to a poster when the sight of the phantom ship was thought to be a portant of doom!
However, use it they did and for many years, with regular changes to the type of aircraft they features , as their aircraft improved. This vintage KLM airline poster was produced to announce the introduction of the Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, L-1049C, on the Amsterdam to New York run in 1953.
In an online article titled A Gracious Lady – The Lockheed Constellation witten by Frido Ogier on KLM’s own website offers more information. “The Constellation was extremely popular and the demand for ever-larger aircraft arose. Lockheed responded by designing the L-1049 Super Constellation. The aircraft was 5.6 metres longer than its older sisters and, in June of 1953, KLM took possession of its first model, the Electron. Later on, KLM ordered a new version capable of flying even greater distances thanks to the extra fuel tanks built into the wingtips —a rather different idea than winglets. KLM would ultimately acquire 22 Super Constellations which it would use on routes throughout North America and the Far East.”
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 £15. So you can bag a bargain of print and frame for a great price.
