Designer: | Paul Söderström (1910-1999) & Göran Englund (1911-1940) |
Country: | Finland |
Decade: | 1930 |
Year: | 1939 |
Dimensions: | 100.0 x 62.0 cm | 39.370078740000004 x 24.4094488188 inches |
Condition: | Very good/excellent | | A-/B+ |
Publisher: | Saimaa Tourist Commitee - Finnish State Railways |
Category: |
Travel |
Transport yourself to Finland's golden age of travel with this exceptionally rare 1939 poster by renowned artists Paul Söderström and Göran Englund. A masterpiece of Scandinavian graphic design, this original piece invites viewers to discover the tranquil beauty of Saimaa, Finland's largest lake, through its elegant Art Deco-inspired composition.
The artwork captures the essence of 1930s lake tourism, featuring a graceful steamboat cruising past sunlit pine forests, with the charming ports of Kuopio and Savonlinna along its journey. The soft color palette and refined typography evoke the peaceful atmosphere of Finland's legendary lake district, making this a timeless representation of Nordic summer.
This historically significant poster gained official recognition when the Finnish postal service (Posti) reissued it as a commemorative stamp in 2012, a testament to its enduring cultural importance. The presence of a Finlandia House (Portland, Oregon) stamp indicates this particular copy was displayed at this prominent center of Nordic culture in the United States.
Remarkably well-preserved, the poster exhibits only minor signs of age while maintaining its original charm. The colors remain surprisingly vibrant, and the paper shows no significant damage, offering collectors a rare opportunity to own an authentic piece of Finnish design history.
This is more than decoration – it's a tangible connection to Finland's romantic travel era and a genuine rarity in the world of vintage posters.