National Geographic Vintage Travel Ads

It is amazing the see the quality of graphics in one issue of an old National Geographic. It is no wonder that no one threw these away. A recent trip to a local estate sale proved that, as I found a stack of them. They were part of a stack of old magazines, most of them damaged in some way. These magazines looked like they hadn't been touched in 30 years.I bought a few of them, mostly from the 1920's. The ads were mostly black and white, but with beautiful illustrations. CLICK ON ADS TO VIEW
This ad was for the Southern Pacific Lines Sunset Limted Route, which took passengers from California to New Orleans. Railroaders call it the "Stormy" for the routes wild summer thunderstorms. The ad promises passengers a route that free from ice and snow with side trips to the Roosevelt Dam and Apache Trail.   
This ad is from California Inc., attempting to entice people and businesses to come to California. It promises room for at least 20 million more people. 
The average per capita wealth was $4,007, with plenty of wealth from the soil industry. They buy what they please, cars and other luxuries. The depression was just around the corner. 
These were the days of ship travel. These magazines were full of eye-catching ads trying to get the rich travelers money. This ad for Grace Line takes you on the new "Santa" liner, for a 39 day cruise to 17 cities in the Caribbean and South America. All expenses starting from $350.  
This ad, in full color and from 1936, is for Matson Lines. It went on the New Zealand and Australia. In order to generate excitement for Hawaii as a world class tourist destination, Matson developed an ambitious and enduring advertising campaign that involved the creative efforts of famous photographers such as Edward Steichen and Anton Bruehl. Matson commissioned artists to design memorable keepsake menus for the voyages, as well as during their stay at the Royal Hawaiian. The Matson artwork created by Frank McIntosh, Eugene Savage, John Kelly and Louis Macouillard continues to be popular today.
Raymond and Whitcomb offered up this European cruise for $565 and up for a 32-day trip. It went to Ireland, Scotland, British Isles, the fjords of Norway,with stops at twenty historic places. Not bad for $565 on up.
Before Cuba turned into a communist country, it was a popular tourist destination. Celebrities and criminals alike traveled there for the food, drink and cigars. $160 got you there on a 2 week cruise.

Cuba is stuck in time, as most of the cars driven there today are from the pre-communist days.