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Object Timeline

-0001

1946

  • Work on this object began.

1963

  • We acquired this object.

2013

2020

2021

2025

  • You found it!

Poster, Fashions in Flight, 1946 or 1947

This is a Poster. It was designed by E. McKnight Kauffer and published by American Airlines and made for (as the client) Mr. Bernard Waldman. It is dated 1946 or 1947 and we acquired it in 1963. Its medium is lithograph. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.


Bernard Waldman commissioned this poster to earn the attention and investment of American Airlines for a full campaign. Kauffer chose an unusual color combination to portray a winged helmet, perhaps to suggest the flapping wings of the American Airlines eagle logo. Fashions in Flight messaged the stylish experience of air travel.

This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Fashions in Flight.

This object was donated by Mrs. Edward McKnight Kauffer. It is credited Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.

Our curators have highlighted 2 objects that are related to this one.

Its dimensions are

86.7 × 60.8 cm (34 1/8 × 23 15/16 in.)

It is signed

Printed in script in chartreuse ink, center right: E. McKnight Kauffer

Cite this object as

Poster, Fashions in Flight, 1946 or 1947; Designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer (American, active England, 1890–1954); Published by American Airlines (United States); Client: Mr. Bernard Waldman (American, ca. 1900–1981); USA; lithograph; 86.7 × 60.8 cm (34 1/8 × 23 15/16 in.); Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer; 1963-39-132

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Underground Modernist: E. McKnight Kauffer.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18447259/ |title=Poster, Fashions in Flight, 1946 or 1947 |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=15 July 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>