Cunard - Liverpool to USA and Canada

This vibrant vintage poster, likely from the late 1950s, was issued by Cunard Line to promote transatlantic travel from Liverpool to the U.S.A. and Canada aboard the Sylvania and Carinthia—the final two ships of the renowned Saxonia class. The design is unmistakably mid-century modern, bursting with bold colors and stylized graphics.

At the top, the word "CUNARD" is boldly printed in red. The central image showcases two streamlined ocean liners, Sylvania and Carinthia, cutting through deep blue waves. Both ships feature Cunard’s iconic red-and-black funnels, symbolizing the prestige of ocean travel during that era. Surrounding them is an abstract and colorful composition: a stylized skyline of New York, complete with the Empire State Building, symbolic stars representing the United States, and vivid maple leaves for Canada. A sweeping arc of red and white stripes curves across the lower section, echoing the American flag and enhancing the poster's sense of motion and direction.

The destination text at the bottom reads "Liverpool to U.S.A. & Canada" in large, bold yellow and red lettering, grounding the poster with clarity and purpose.

The Saxonia class represented the last generation of Cunard’s large passenger liners built for the Canadian route, bridging the era of traditional liners and modern cruise ships. These vessels served both as ocean liners and cruise ships, and were among the last Cunard ships to operate regularly in Canadian waters before the company shifted its focus toward cruising and flagship transatlantic service.

The poster is in excellent condition considering its age, with only minor edge creasing, slight staining, and one small paper loss in the lower left margin. It stands as a striking example of mid-century travel advertising and a visual celebration of the golden age of ocean travel.