Tropical North Queensland (April to Sept) Australia
Artist
Percival Trompf
(Australian, 1902 - 1964)
Publisher
Australian National Travel Association
Datec 1930
Object number00037398
NamePoster
MediumColour lithograph on paper
DimensionsOverall: 1083 x 740 mm, 0.15 kg
Copyright© Percy Trompf Artistic Trust
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis travel poster commissioned by the Australian National Travel Association promotes Queensland's tropical north as a tourist desitnation. It was designed by Percival Trompf. Images of tropical rainforests, beaches and the reef were used by ANTA to lure holidaymakers from Australia's southern states and around the world.HistoryThe Australian National Travel Association (ANTA) was formed in 1929 to promote Australia as a tourist destination around the world through advertising. It was funded by shipping companies, railway departments and government tourist bureaus. Posters were the main promotional medium for the ANTA, which developed extensive networks overseas with representatives in England, the United States, New Zealand, Canada, India, China, Japan and France.
Metropolitan, rural and regional destinations were central themes of posters commissioned by the Australian National Travel Association. In 1929 the ANTA commissioned journalists and graphic artists who had worked for the Victorian National Railways Betterment Board to produce posters for every Australian state. Emphasis was placed on tourist sites and regions such as the Great Barrier Reef and the tropics of North Queensland. The winter migration of tourists from Victoria and New South Wales to the warmer climate of Queensland proved a lucrative market, and these posters were aimed at this demographic.
Percival Trompf (1902-1981) is one of the best known Australian poster artists and was commissioned to produce posters for ANTA. Trompf was born in Victoria and attended Ballarat School of Mines and Industries; he opened a studio and designed thousands of advertising posters for such prominent Australian companies as Bryant & May Pty Ltd, Palmolive Co Ltd and the travel magazine 'Walkabout'. This poster is one of his most recognisable beach posters designed by Trompf for ANTA.
SignificanceThe poster is typical of the bold graphic style and simple message used by ANTA from 1929 to market Australia to international and Australian tourists.
