Orient Line to Australia

Artist Charles Dixon (British, 1872 - 1934)

Publisher Orient Line (1878 - 1966)

Date1909-1914

Object number00008904-RP1

NamePoster

MediumColour lithograph on paper

DimensionsOverall: 1014 x 637 mm, 0.55 kg
Display Dimensions: 1116 x 637 mm

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection

DescriptionThis poster advertising the Orient Line service to Australia was designed by Charles Dixon around 1909-1914. From the turn of the century until the 1930s, shipping posters highlighted the exotic delights of steamship travel. This poster features the OTRANTO in the Suez Canal with colourfully-robed Arab traders and camels in the foreground.HistoryThe OTRANTO was one of the Orient Line's famous fleet of five 12,000 tonne ships delivered in 1909 to fulfill the lucrative mail contract to Australia following the withdrawal of its partner, the Royal Steam Navigation Company. The ship completed its maiden voyage from London to Australia in 1909 and in 1914 was requisitioned by the Admiralty as an armed merchant cruiser. OTRANTO was hit by P&O steamer KASHMIR in 1918 whilst in convoy from New York to Liverpool with 431 lives lost - mainly US troops.SignificanceThe poster is representative of the early 20th century illustrative style of shipping poster incorporating a ship portrait with details of a port en route. This style gradually disappeared by the late 1940s, to be replaced by more conceptual designs.