Boston Public Library's Print Department houses a collection of more than 350 vintage travel posters, most of which date from the "Golden Age of Travel," namely the 1920s through the 1940s.

The period is characterized by new, accessible destinations, with railways opening up rarely travelled parts of America and Europe and luxury ocean liners bringing elegant flair to previously unpleasant overseas voyages. And record numbers of drivers traversed continental terrain in new automobiles, while new airlines whisked adventure seekers to all corners of the globe. See some of our favorites from the western United States and the National Parks below.

To attract travelers and enthusiasts, travel agents and ticket sellers were barraged with vivid, graphic posters, "designed to capture the beauty, excitement and adventure of travel and to promote a world of enticing destinations and new modes of transportation." A number of artists and graphic artist were famed for their graphic styles and imagery, making many posters from this era relevant as important works of art and design, long after the original intents have passed.

And one Alaska poster, because it's awesome.

Some other hand-picked posts you might enjoy on our Design Blog:

Vintage Posters and Trade Materials from Pat Keely
Comic Destination Travel Posters by Justin Van Genderen
Move. Learn. Eat: A Linear Video Journal of 11 Countries in 44 Days