In the middle of the 20th century, The Saturday Evening Post was filled with ads for travel, whether by bus, train, or car. The winter months in particular offered ads depicting full-color fantasies of escaping to a livlier scene.
January 20, 1940
January 27, 1940
March 2, 1940
December 21, 1940
December 20, 1941
March 20, 1943
January 17, 1948
November 13, 1948
December 4, 1948
February 25, 1950
November 17, 1951
Become a Saturday Evening Post member and enjoy unlimited access. Subscribe now
Comments
This post beautifully shows how travel evolved during the mid-20th century and how winter travel became popular through ads and improved transportation. It reminds us that Travel Best for Health is not a new concept, people have long believed that changing scenery and climate can refresh the mind and body.
I would like to find a book of vintage ads anyone know of one!
I like that Mercury ad too and the other ads too in general. What I would give if we could go back to those simpler times! No one worried about their cell phone, internet, email, or anything that was unnecessary to live comfortably. Guess what?! If those things went away today, it would not hurt my feelings. In fact, much of our troubled world would be better without them and embrace our true Saviour & Lord Jesus Christ.
Some really neat ads here, to be sure. Love the top Greyhound ad that fuses spring into the winter picture with ‘Spring’ in enticing cursive, and the eye-catching white contrast along the lower portion of the bus.
Love the lavender Mercury (3rd ad) showing the roominess of the car. The Pullman ad really shows you can travel with ease even in a bad storm. The Santa Fe is gorgeous with the full moon against the dark blue sky, and the TWA basically saying winter needn’t be a drag with all the destinations they have to offer.