Union of South Africa Farming Careers

This exceptionally rare and visually captivating vintage two-sheet poster promotes farming careers in the Union of South Africa, likely from the early to mid-20th century. Designed by Guy Lipscombe, a British artist best known for his automobile illustrations in The Motor and The Autocar during the 1920s, the poster showcases his signature style. Lipscombe also created another piece in this series, It is Summer There - Tour South Africa, which features a similar typographic design at the top.

The artwork presents a vibrant, idyllic South African countryside with lush, rolling fields, citrus orchards, and a distant mountain range under a bright sky. The foreground showcases farmworkers harvesting oranges, wearing traditional white attire and sun hats. A man stands observing the harvest, while another is perched on a ladder picking fruit from a tall, abundant tree. Wooden crates filled with ripe oranges are neatly stacked, emphasizing the prosperity of agriculture in the region.

Further in the background, a horse-drawn cart travels along a winding dirt road, passing by quaint white farmhouses with thatched roofs, nestled among colorful autumnal trees. The scene conveys a sense of abundance, opportunity, and rural tranquility, likely aimed at attracting British immigrants to South Africa’s growing agricultural sector.

The bold typography at the top reads "Farming Careers", while the bottom states "Union of South Africa" with application details for prospective settlers at the High Commissioner’s office in Trafalgar Square, London.

The poster remains in very good condition despite repaired tears, creases, abrasions, and some overpainting at the edges and within the image. Additionally, some losses at the edges have been carefully replaced, and the entire piece has been mounted on linen for preservation.

This rare and monumental advertising piece captures both the beauty and economic promise of South Africa's farming industry, making it a historically significant collector's item.