Shaw Savill Lines, England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand
Artist
William John Patton McDowell
(British, 1888 - 1950)
Publisher
Shaw Savill & Albion Line
(British, founded 1882)
Date1939-1940
Object number00008656
NamePoster
MediumColour lithograph on paper
DimensionsOverall: 1275 × 925 mm
Display dimensions: 1009 × 642 mm
Mount / Matt size (G Fini Mount): 1249 × 900 mm
Display dimensions: 1009 × 642 mm
Mount / Matt size (G Fini Mount): 1249 × 900 mm
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection
Collections
DescriptionThis poster promoting Shaw Savill Line passenger services from England to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand was designed by William McDowell around 1939-40.
The poster, with an illustration of the liner DOMINION MONARCH, is typical of the old style, illustrative shipping posters incorporating a ship portrait against a port detail en route.HistoryMS DOMINION MONARCH was launched in 1939 to serve the new Shaw Savill Line service from Britain to New Zealand via Cape Town, providing a direct link between England and countries of the southern hemisphere. Reaching speeds of 21.5 knots, the vessel was the most powerful British motor ship of the time. DOMINION MONARCH was converted into a troopship during World War II and by the time the war ended, had carried over 90,000 troops and 70,000 tonnes of cargo. After the war the ship made several voyages repatriating troops to Australia and New Zealand and was handed back to the Shaw Savill Line in 1947. The vessel made its final voyage from England to Wellington in 1961 and was bought as a floating hotel by the Mitsui Group of Japan in 1962.
SignificanceThe poster is representative of the transition between traditional ship portrait compositions popular in the early 20th century, and later Modernist inspired designs. It is also an important document recording one of the ways in which travel was marketed to both national and international audiences.
