Vorarlberg Austria Circa 1950

This lively circa 1950 travel poster, designed by Atelier Kolbeck & Ziegler, promotes tourism in the scenic alpine region of Vorarlberg. The poster captures the joyful spirit of outdoor adventure and family travel that characterized mid-twentieth-century tourism campaigns across Europe.

The composition features two playful children enjoying the mountain landscape: one performs a cheerful handstand near a lake while the other hikes along a hillside with a walking stick and backpack. Below them, a miniature alpine village and a train emerging from a tunnel suggest the accessibility of the region by rail and the charm of its mountain communities.

Located between Lake Constance and the high peaks of the Alps, Vorarlberg has long been celebrated for its breathtaking scenery, traditional villages, and outdoor recreation. The region offers visitors opportunities for hiking, mountaineering, and skiing, making it one of Austria’s most appealing destinations for nature lovers.

The poster’s design reflects the optimistic style of postwar European tourism advertising. Bold colors, simplified forms, and cheerful figures create a welcoming and family-friendly image of the countryside. The multilingual title—“Austria / Österreich / Autriche”—also indicates that the poster was intended for an international audience.

Following the end of World War II, many European countries invested heavily in promoting tourism as a way to rebuild their economies and reconnect travelers with natural landscapes. Posters such as this one played a key role in inspiring visitors to rediscover the beauty of the Alps.

Today, vintage posters promoting alpine regions like Vorarlberg are highly valued both for their artistic charm and for the nostalgic glimpse they provide into the golden age of European travel advertising. They capture a moment when the mountains symbolized freedom, health, and the simple pleasures of outdoor life.

Original Poster

Tourism - Mountains - Austria

Good condition, creases visible