<em>Lubrication By Shell – Imperial Airways Flying Boat 'Canopus'</em>, designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer, 1937. An astonishingly rare and graphically outstanding poster, depicting a photograph of Imperial Airways <em>Canopus</em> within a graphic frame which includes the ‘robotic’ man advertising symbol designed by Kauffer for Shel

Lubrication By Shell – Imperial Airways Flying Boat 'Canopus'

Edward McKnight Kauffer
£6,000.00

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  • Condition: B+ (Professionally conserved and laid onto Japan paper, conserved wear to top right)
  • Date: 1937
  • Designer: Edward McKnight Kauffer (1899-1954)
  • Publisher: Shell Oil
  • Size: 1150 x 760 mm

Original, antique, poster: Lubrication By Shell – Imperial Airways Flying Boat 'Canopus', designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer, 1937. An astonishingly rare and graphically outstanding poster, depicting a photograph of Imperial Airways Canopus within a graphic frame which includes the ‘robotic’ man advertising symbol designed by Kauffer for Shell. The Canopus was the prototype for the famous C-Class flying boats built by Short Brothers of Rochester. Regarded as the most luxurious flying boats in the world, they were also the first international passenger carrying aircraft specifically designed to serve Britain’s imperial territories.

Kauffer produced several posters for Shell Oil in the 1930s, which were displayed on the side of Shell lorries as part of a highly regarded publicity campaign. This copy belonged to the leading post war graphic designer Abram Games (more information here). A higher resolution image is available for viewing on request