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Union-Australasian Line to New Zealand and Australia

Artist Charles Dixon (British, 1872 - 1934)

Datec 1925

Object number00018913

NamePoster

MediumColour lithograph on paper

DimensionsSheet: 1070 x 665 mm
Image: 975 x 600 mm
Overall: 1070 x 665 mm, 0.25 kg

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis poster promoting the Union-Australasian Line service from London to New Zealand and Australia, with an illustration of the RMS TAHITI, was designed by Charles Dixon around 1925. From the turn of the century until the 1930s, shipping posters highlighted the exotic delights of steamship travel.HistoryRMS TAHITI was originally built as the PORT KINGSTON (7,585 tonnes) in 1904 for Imperial Direct West India Mail Co and operated in the West Indies as a passenger and cargo ship. In 1911 the Union Steamship Co of NZ bought the vessel, refitted it for passengers only and renamed it TAHITI for the Sydney - Wellington - Raratonga - Tahiti - San Francisco route. The vessel also served as a troopship in and immediately after World War I. TAHITI was involved in Sydney Harbour's greatest maritime disaster when on the afternoon of 3 November 1927 it collided with the ferry GREYCLIFFE off Bradley's Head. The ferry sank with the loss of 40 lives, many of them school children. RMS TAHITI sank in 1930 south of Rarotonga after its starboard propeller shaft snapped and holed the hull. All passengers and crew were rescued.SignificanceThe poster is typical of that produced by artist Charles Dixon, juxtaposing a ship portrait with the exotic allure of ports of call. The travel poster often sowed the first seeds of an idea to travel or emigrate. For Australian travel, some of Britain's and Australia's finest graphic and non-commercial artists were commissioned to paint a portrait of Australia to make it more desirable as a destination.