BEA British European Airways 1956

This striking 1956 original poster by Ivor Adelman for BEA – British European Airways is a brilliant example of post-war British graphic design, where aviation, fashion, and modern living merge into a single, sophisticated visual language. Rather than depicting a straightforward travel scene, Adelman constructs an imaginative still life that celebrates the modern lifestyle made possible by air travel.

At the center of the composition stands a headless fashion mannequin draped in a flowing green and turquoise scarf, its elegant curves evoking haute couture and cosmopolitan glamour. Around it, an eclectic assemblage of contemporary objects—a television set, a bright red industrial engine component, folded textiles, and architectural forms—creates a surreal showroom of mid-century modernity. In the background, a BEA aircraft glides across a clear sky, quietly anchoring the fantasy in the reality of air travel and technological progress.

The poster’s visual vocabulary is deeply rooted in the aesthetics of the 1950s: clean geometry, bold flat color planes, and a refined balance between abstraction and representation. Adelman’s use of color is particularly sophisticated, with cool blues and greens contrasted against vibrant reds and warm neutrals, producing a dynamic yet harmonious composition. The result is not simply an advertisement for flights, but a manifesto for a new era—one in which speed, design, leisure, and internationalism are inseparable.

Today, this poster is regarded as a highly collectible work of airline advertising art. It reflects how BEA positioned itself not merely as a carrier, but as a symbol of modern European culture, innovation, and style. Adelman’s design captures the optimism of the jet age and the belief that air travel was opening the door to a beautifully designed, interconnected world.

Original Poster

Airline - Tourism - United Kingdom

Printed by The Baynard Press

Good condition