Visit the Seaside Travel by Train

Artist Gert Sellheim (Australian - German, 1901 - 1970)

Printer Victorian Railways

Date1930s

Object number00039721

NamePoster

MediumColour lithograph on paper

DimensionsOverall: 1004 x 630 mm

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionPoster reading 'Visit the Seaside Travel by Train' by Gert Sellheim. This Victorian Railways poster (No 165) uses a photomontage of seagulls to represent an idealised seaside for this promotion of coastal tourism and train travel in Victoria.HistoryIn the nineteenth century railways emerged as an advocate of domestic tourism. The Australian National Transport Association and Victorian Railways Betterment and Publicity Board, developed posters with striking images and simple slogans to meet the emerging need to market Australia to the international and domestic traveler, increasing the profile of Australia as a desirable tourist destination. From the 1920s organisations such as the Australian National Travel Association and state travel and tourism centres commissioned leading artists to design posters such as these to tempt travellers and tourists from overseas and from within Australia. Travel posters commissioned by the ANTA and Victorian Railways often represented beach and coastal lifestyles, promoting the natural attractions of Australia as pervasive images of national identity. SignificanceThis poster reflects the importance of strong graphic design in promotional posters for state and national tourism campaigns. The work was commissioned by the Victorian Railways to promote travel within Australia and is representative of the poster art of Gert Sellheim.