Cie Wagons Lits - The Golden Arrow

This is a captivating and exceptionally rare original vintage travel poster showcasing the "Golden Arrow," an opulent boat-train service renowned for shuttling passengers between the alluring cities of London and Paris. This celebrated train service, often hailed as one of the most glamorous and romantic in the world, typically comprised 10 luxurious British Pullman cars, elegantly pulled by one of the Southern Railway's distinguished Lord Nelson class locomotives. The journey between London and Dover, a route of 98 minutes, was a testament to both speed and grandeur.

The poster's exquisite design can be attributed to the talented William Spencer Bagdatopoulos (1888–1965), a distinguished painter and commercial artist who held the prestigious title of Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Bagdatopoulos is best known for his remarkable Orientalist depictions of people and landmarks in the Eastern world.

The poster proudly displays the following text:

"Cie WAGONS LITS The GOLDEN ARROW ALL PULLMAN TRAIN DAILY BETWEEN LONDON CALAIS PARIS Departs: LONDON 10.45am. Arrives: PARIS 5.40pm. Arrives: LONDON 7.15pm. Departs: PARIS 12 noon."

While the poster exhibits some minor restorations and light surface scratches, it has been professionally mounted on linen to ensure its preservation and enduring beauty. This piece offers a captivating glimpse into a bygone era of luxurious travel between two iconic European cities.