Designer: | Freedman, Harold (1915-1999) |
Country: | Oceana |
Decade: | 1950 |
Year: | 1951 |
Dimensions: | 102 x 63 cm | 40.16 x 24.8 inches |
Condition: | Very good | | B + |
Linen backed | |
Publisher: | Victorian Railways |
Printed by: | F.W. NIVEN PTY LTD PRINT |
Category: |
Travel |
This original 1951 vintage travel poster was created to celebrate the Bendigo Centenary Festival Year, marking 100 years since the discovery of gold in the region in 1851.
Designed by Harold Freedman, the artwork features a gold miner and a woman in colonial attire, representing the early settlers of Bendigo’s gold rush era. In the background, there is a sketch of the Alexandra Fountain, one of Bendigo’s most well-known landmarks. The poster’s bold colors and dynamic composition are characteristic of mid-20th-century Australian travel posters. It was lithographically printed in color from multiple plates, ensuring vibrant hues and sharp details.
Bendigo, originally known as Bendigo Creek, became a major site during the Victorian gold rush, which began in 1851. The Bendigo Centenary Festival of 1951 was held to celebrate the city’s rich history and its contribution to Australia’s development. Commissioned by Victorian Railways, the poster encouraged people to "Go by Train" to Bendigo for the festivities.
Mounted on linen for preservation, the poster is in very good condition with minor repairs. It remains a rare and sought-after piece of Australian poster art, making it an excellent collectible for enthusiasts of mid-century travel advertising and gold rush memorabilia.