Canadian Pacific Posters

A company once known as "world's greatest travel system" had a lot to advertise.

Established in 1881, the Canadian Pacific Railway quickly evolved into a business empire. Their activities stretched far beyond the railroads: the CPR operated steamships and hotels, telegraph services and radio stations, and, quite naturally, an airline.

1884

The company played a crucial role in the colonization of Canada, bringing new settlers from England and elsewhere (you can read about it here):

1920

Despite its name, the CPR was very active in the North Atlantic shipping, being one of the major freight, passenger and mail carriers and offering Montreal as a sound alternative to New York.

1910

By Harry Hudson Rodmell. 1920

1924

1925

1925

Only Four Days by Harry Hudson Rodmell, 1925

1929

1930

In the Interbellum, CPR Oriental connection was busy as ever:

1924

1925

E. Erny, 1929

1930

1933

And there were cruises, too:

1924

1930

1936

Norman Fraser, 1936

Tom Purvis, 1936

Tom Purvis, 1938

Norman Fraser, 1938

Norman Fraser, 1938

Hotels and resorts:

Will Hollingsworth. 1924

1929

Alfred Crocker Leighton. 1938

Peter Ewart, Winter Sports. 1940

Peter Ewart, 1941

No wonder the CPR captains thought of all the world as of their "pond":

Percy Angelo Staynes, 1929

Kennet Shoesmith. 1933

The largest and most luxurious Canadian Pacific liner, the Empress of Britain, commissioned in 1931, was one of the most advanced passenger ships of the day, a direct predecessor of Cunard's Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, but in the business aspect this white beauty didn't live up to expectations. Great Depression severely decreased the influx of passengers. Nevertheless, the liner became the unofficial CPR symbol all over the world:

Clement Dane, 1930s

Robert Schroeder. 1932

After the war (and the painful loss of Empress of Britain), the Canadian Pacific resumed their overseas passenger services. Transatlantic route was promoted in the same stylish manner.

1946

1947

Roger Couillard. 1950

But by the mid-'50s, the attention switсhed to the airline, operated since 1942.

And... what about trains? The question is inevitable. Strangely, I've got very few Canadian Pacific Railroad posters in my vault. We've seen a couple just recently, here. It's not enough, I know, but there are only two posters left - one with a silhouette of a steam locomotive (1931):

... the other with a beautiful diesel-powered streamliner, by Peter Ewart (1950s):

Headline poster: Homeward Bound by le Forest, 1933