WPA Posters

See America (Blue Cavern)

Vintage travel poster from 1939 and Alexander Dux, a Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project poster promoting tourism.

Yellowstone: 1938

Old Faithful erupts in this circa 1938 National Park Service silkscreen for Yellowstone National Park. Vintage travel poster.

Grand Canyon

You thought the Grand Canyon was created by the forces of nature and the hand of God. Actually, it's a "free government service." Thank you, Uncle Sam. You do fine work. Circa 1938 National Park Service silkscreen Vintage travel poster for Grand Canyon National Park.

See America WPA Poster (Cowboys)

A WPA Federal Art Project poster for the United States Travel Bureau promoting tourism. The vintage travel poster shows two cowboys on horseback near a western desert rock formation. Illustrated by Frank S. Nicholson, c. 1936.

Zion National Park

A WPA Federal Art Project poster for the United States Department of the Interior National Park Service: "Zion National Park, Ranger Naturalist Service." The vintage travel poster shows a view of a cliff at Zion National Park. Circa 1938.

Welcome to Montana Travel Poster

A WPA Federal Art Project poster for the U.S. Travel Bureau promoting tourism in Montana. The vintage travel poster shows a cluster of tipis with mountains in the background: "See America. Welcome to Montana. U.S. Travel Bureau." Illustrated by Richard Halls. c. 1938.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

A Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project poster for the National Park Service promoting Lassen Volcanic National Park, c. 1938. "Loomis Memorial at Manzanita Lake. Lectures, hikes, motor caravans, campfire programs, information. Season late June to mid September." Vintage travel poster.

Fort Marion National Monument

Fort Marion National Monument. St. Augustine, Florida. A Works Progress Administration poster promoting tourism for the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, c. 1938. Vintage travel poster.

Wild Life: The National Parks Preserve All Life

This is a WPA Federal Art Project poster for the National Park Service showing a deer drinking from a forest stream. "Wild Life. The National Parks Preserve All Life." Illustrated by Frank S. Nicholson, c. 1940.

National Parks Preserve Wild Life

A WPA Federal Art Project poster for the National Park Service promoting travel to National Parks. The poster shows two bighorn sheep and reads, "The National Parks Preserve Wild Life." Illustrated by J. Hirt, c. 1939.

They Like Winter in New York State

This Federal Art Project poster puts a positive spin on biting cold while promoting winter sports in New York: "They like winter in New York State. The state that has everything." Does "everything" include frostbite? The vintage travel poster was created by Jack Rivolta between 1936 and 1941.

Winter Sports in Arosa

A 1938 promotional poster showing the many types of winter sports available in Arosa, Switzerland: Ice hockey, ice skating, skiing, and curling. Vintage travel poster.

Visit the Zoo: Penguins

A Work Projects Administration poster using penguins to lure visitors to the zoo. From the WPA Federal Art Project in Pennsylvania. Woodcut by artist Louise Welsh, c. 1936.

Just one long step to Sea Cliff

A Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project poster promoting tourism in Sea Cliff, Long Island, c. 1938. "Just one long step to Sea Cliff, L.I. By land or water. 250 feet above sea level. No mosquitos! Sponsored by the Village of Sea Cliff." Vintage travel poster.

Vizit the Brookfield Zoo Panda

This poster by WPA artist Arlington Gregg shows a panda bear emploring people to "Visit the Brookfield Zoo by the 'L'." The poster was created as part of the Federal Art Project in Illinois, c. 1938.

Discover Puerto Rico U.S.A.

This poster by WPA artist Frank S. Nicholson shows a view of San Juan Harbor from Morro Castle: "Discover Puerto Rico U.S.A. Where the Americas Meet" The vintage travel poster was created as part of the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project in New York City, c. 1940.

By the "L" Brookfield Zoo

This poster by WPA artist Frank W. Long shows a panda bear hugging a tree as an advertisement for the Brookfield Zoo. The poster was created between 1936 and 1938 as part of the Federal Art Project in Illinois.

Visit the Zoo

Two herons promote the zoo as a place to visit in this woodblock Federal Art Project poster from Pennsylvania. Created between 1936 and 1941.

Visit the Brookfield Zoo (Polar Bear)

A 1936 Work Projects Administration poster uses a polar bear to announce free days at the Brookfield Zoo near Chicago: "Visit the Brookfield Zoo. Free Thursday, Saturday, Sunday."

Visit the Zoo: Elephant

This WPA Federal Art Project poster featuring an elephant to promote the zoo was designed by Hugh Stevenson of Philadelphia in 1937.

Santa Margherita Ligure

This Italian travel poster shows a woman throwing daisies in the air, with the coastline of Liguria, Italy in the background: "Santa Margherita Ligure." Published by the National Agency for the Tourism Industry, Ente Nazionale per le Industrie Turistiche. From lithograph, 1951. Vintage travel poster.

Free harbor jubilee, Los Angeles and San Pedro. April 26 and 27 1899

City of New York Municipal Airports

This poster was created by the WPA Federal Art Project in New York City to promote New York's municipal airports, circa 1937. "City of New York Municipal Airports. No. 1 Floyd Bennett Field. No. 2 North Beach. East River Seaplane bases, Wall Street and 31st Street. F.H. LaGuardia, Mayor. John McKenzie, Commissioner of Docks."

See America: Montana

From 1939 and Jerome Henry Rothstein, a Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project poster promoting tourism in Montana. "See American. Welcome to Montana." Published for the United States Travel Bureau, showing an Indian encampment next to a lake. Vintage travel poster.

Buckingham Fountain

Illustrated by artist John Buczak, this poster shows Buckingham Fountain and the Chicago skyline, circa 1939. Created by the Illinois Federal Art Project the travel poster reads: "Buckingham Fountain on Chicago's Lake Front. World's Largest and Most Beautiful Illuminated Fountain. Always Free. May 20 - Sept. 30. Chicago Park District. Made by the Federal Art Project - Illinois."

Whos Who in the Zoo

This poster was created circa 1936 to advertise the WPA Federal Writers' Project illustrated guide to natural history. "Who's Who in the Zoo. Illustrated natural history prepared by the WPA Federal Writers Project. On sale at all book stores, zoos, and museums."

Rural Pennsylvania

This poster was created circa 1936 by the WPA Pennsylvania Art Project. The poster reads, simply, "Rural Pennsylvania," and was illustrated by Katherine Milhous.

Visit the Aquarium

Created by the Pennsylvania WPA Federal Art Project, this poster promotes aquariums as destinations. The image was illustrated by Philadelphia artist Hugh Stevenson, circa 1937.

Brookfield Zoo Leopard

A 1936 Work Projects Administration, Federal Art Project poster for the Brookfield Zoo near Chicago sports a stalking Black Leopard.

Visit the Zoo -- Philadelphia

From the WPA Federal Art Project in Philadelphia, a hippopotamus marketing campaign: Visit the Zoo. Original in woodblock, circa 1936.

Information - Brookfield Zoo

From the WPA Federal Art Project in Illinois, two hippopotamuses illustrate a poster for the Brookfield Zoo. Mildred Waltrip, circa 1936.

New York City Subway: 1925

From 1925, Routes of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company.

Pony Express Map

A map of the Pony Express: "Pony Express Route April 3, 1860 - October 24, 1861. This pictographic map is made available through the generous cooperation of the Union Pacific, the first transcontinental railroad, whose lines closely parallel most of the historic Pony Express Route."

1845 New Orleans Map (White)

Vintage map of New Orleans: "Norman's Plan of New Orleans & Environs. 1845." B. M. Norman, Publisher. Also available in tan.

1845 New Orleans Map (Tan)

Vintage map of New Orleans: "Norman's Plan of New Orleans & Environs. 1845." B. M. Norman, Publisher. Also available in white.

California Cycling: c. 1895

Vintage map of California, c. 1895, showing roads for cyclers. Around the perimeter of the map are advertisements for California bicycle shops and riding schools.

Visit the Zoo (Three Penguins)

From the WPA Federal Art Project in Pennsylvania: Visit the Zoo. Woodcut by Louise Welsh, c. 1936.

Venezia

Decorative gondolas on the canals of Venice in this Italian travel poster, c. 1920. Roma, Novissima.

Roman Forum Travel Poster

Rome par la voie du Mont-Cenis (Rome through the Mount Cenis), c. 1920. Affiches Photographiques Robaudy. Vintage travel poster.

Verona Travel Poster

Buildings and monuments in old Verona, Italy, are featured in this vintage travel poster. Pizzi & Pizio, Milano, c. 1938.

Italian Lakes

A travel poster showing a lake and mountains, with the bell tower of a church in the foreground. Italian Lakes, c. 1930. Grafiche Modiano - Trieste.

Firenze, Italy

A travel poster showing historic Firenze, Italy. Stab Luigi Salomone, Roma, 1938.

Milano

A travel poster for Milan, Italy. Allessandro Porni, c. 1920.

Sanremo Travel Poster

A view of the Sanremo, Italy, coast from a garden terrace. Barabino e Graeve, c. 1920. Vintage travel poster.

Assisi Travel Poster

A view of Assisi, Italy, looking out the window of a tower. Vittorio Grassi, c. 1920. Vintage travel poster.

Naples Travel

A view of Naples, Italy, looking out over the Bay of Naples toward Mount Vesuvius. Richter & C. - Napoli, c. 1920. Vintage travel poster.

Catalina Travel Poster

Vintage travel poster: "Catalina: Now see Santa Catalina, the Scenic Riviera of the U.S.A. Yet only a short delightful voyage from Los Angeles." Otis Shepard, c. 1935.

Abruzzo, Italy

This is a vintage travel poster from Abruzzo, Italy showing showing women in colorful native costume leaving a church. Circa 1920.

Vintage Skiing Travel Poster

This is a vintage Italian travel poster showing a young woman posed on ski slopes at Cortina d'Ampezzo. Circa 1920.

Venice and the Lido

This is a vintage travel poster showing a canal in Venice. Vittorio Grassi, circa 1920.

Save our Wild Life

Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Trumpeter Swan. Illustrated by Dorothy Waugh, circa 1940.

Palermo

Palermo (Sicilia). Italian vintage travel poster, circa 1920. Ente Nazionale per le Industrie Turistiche.