Nederlandse Spoorwegen

This original Dutch railway poster was designed by Herman Nygh in 1942 for Nederlandsche Spoorwegen.

Herman Nygh was a Dutch graphic designer best known for his clear, modern visual language and his work for public institutions and transportation companies. Active from the late 1930s through the postwar period, Nygh created posters characterized by strong typography, simplified forms, and an accessible, didactic style. His designs for Nederlandsche Spoorwegen are especially noted for combining visual clarity with gentle humor, making functional messages engaging while remaining immediately legible.

The bold, graphic composition shows a uniformed conductor checking a ticket, rendered in a clear, approachable style typical of wartime Dutch graphic design. The text informs passengers that a surcharge of ƒ1.50 applies when traveling without a valid ticket and without notifying the conductor in advance, reflecting the period’s emphasis on order and public instruction.

The poster is mounted on linen and is in very good condition, with light fold marks and minor signs of age. Colors remain strong and well-balanced, making this a fine and well-preserved example of mid-20th-century European railway poster design.