2004 Bon Voyage

$4.95

Only 2 available

The early half of the 20th century was the golden age of Maritime travel, and these stamps showcase the fabulous travel advertisements produced at the time. They evoke a new world of elegant travel, romance, and excitement aboard a floating technological wonder. Poster art for international shipping lines peaked in the 1930s, and some of the best graphic artists and marine painters were commissioned to create these adverts. As a mass-produced art form, these posters helped shipping lines become household names.

Depicted on the 50c stamp is the Dominion March of the Shaw Savill Line, the fastest motor vessel of its day (12 knots). Built-in the 1930s, it remained in service until 1962, serving South Hampton to South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

On the $1 stamp is the Awatea (Eye of the Dawn in Maori) of the Union Steam Ship Company, the largest shipping company in the Southern Hemisphere at the time. Built by Vickers Armstrong in England and launched in 1936, it was the fastest and largest ship afloat in the British Commonwealth. It ferried passengers through the Tasman between New Zealand and Australia. Following its record crossing in 1937, it was presented with a stainless-steel greyhound symbolising its speed as a windowpane on its foremast.

The $1.45 stamp advertised the Orient Line, which operated a monthly service from London to Australia. From 1885, their ships were named starting with the letter O. The poster advertises the Orsova and Ormonde. Some of Australia’s pre-eminent graphic artists, such as Walter Jardine, Percy Trompf and Douglas Annand, designed Orient Line Posters. The Orient Line later merged with P&O and became P&O Orient Lines before the Orient name was dropped.

And lastly, the $2 stamp promotes the Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line with a painted scenery of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Many of these ships no exist, they were often requisitioned for the World Wars, and some returned to service as passenger ships before they were either scrapped or sunk.