TWA Orient 1960s Airline Travel Advertising Poster David Klein

This iconic 1960s travel poster, Fly TWA – The Orient, was designed by lauded American artist David Klein (1918–2005) for Trans World Airlines. Part of a celebrated series created for TWA during the Jet Age, the poster exemplifies Klein’s signature style — bold colour palettes, abstract forms, and a distinct mid-century modern aesthetic that captured the excitement and sophistication of global air travel.

In this design, a stylised Buddha statue is positioned in front of a bamboo-framed scene depicting ancient Asian temples and architecture. The composition evokes a romanticised vision of the East, reflecting the era’s fascination with far-off destinations and the allure of cultural exploration through air travel.

David Klein (1918 – 2005) was an American artist, best known for his influential work in advertising. Although he produced illustrations for Broadway theatrical productions, Hollywood films, the United States Army, and numerous corporate clients, Klein is best remembered for the iconic travel images he created for Howard Hughes and Trans World Airlines (TWA). He helped define the visual culture of postwar travel. His posters not only advertised destinations — they offered a vision of stylish, effortless exploration that still resonates today. Between approximately 1955–1965, Klein designed numerous award-winning travel advertisement posters, the bulk for TWA, many of which are now considered emblematic of the 1960s Jet Age. In 1957 New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) added Klein's iconic TWA Times Square poster to its permanent collection.

This original vintage travel poster has been professionally linen-backed and is sized 25 x 40 1/4 inches (plus a couple more inches for the linen). It will be sent rolled (unframed).

• Year: 1960s
  
• Poster Type: American Travel Poster
  
• Style: -
• Art By: David Klein
  
• Rolled/Folded/Other: Rolled Linen-backed
  
• Condition: Near Mint/Mint
  
• Condition Details: Originally rolled, now professionally linen-backed with light touch-up to background. Looks superb.