PAUL GEORGE LAWLER (DATES UNKNOWN) FLY TO SOUTH SEA ISLES / VIA PAN AMERICAN. Circa 1938.
40 1/2x26 3/4 inches, 103x68 cm.
Condition A- / B+: repaired tears, creases, minor restored losses, overpainting and light staining in margins. Framed.
One of the most iconic and desirable of all the early Pan Am flying boat posters, this image of the Boeing 314 Flying Clipper landing in a tropical lagoon captured, and continues to capture, the imagination of travelers. The location shown on the poster is an imaginary composite of several renowned bays throughout the South Pacific. It has been speculated that the view is Tahiti, Pago Pago and / or Diamond Head, however, the physical characteristics depicted do not coincide with the actual geography of any of these islands. Lawler most likely worked from photographs to derive a fantasy collage of a location infused with realistic details from various islands. It is rare to find this poster with text. We have found only two other examples at auction. Airlines cover, Airways cover and p. 83, Krupnick p. 283.