item details
NameChateau Tongariro poster
ProductionNew Zealand Railways Publicity Branch; publisher; circa 1932; Wellington
Coulls, Somerville, Wilkie, Ltd.; printing firm; circa 1932; Wellington
Edgar Lovell-Smith; attributed; circa 1932; New Zealand
Coulls, Somerville, Wilkie, Ltd.; printing firm; circa 1932; Wellington
Edgar Lovell-Smith; attributed; circa 1932; New Zealand
Classificationposters
Materialspaper, ink
Materials SummaryColour lithograph on paper
Techniqueslithography
DimensionsOverall: 1015mm (height), 640mm (length)
Registration NumberGH014052
Credit linePurchased 2001
Overview
The luxurious Chateau Tongariro opened in 1929 in Tongariro National Park and was owned by the New Zealand government's tourism department. The Chateau's civilised Regency-style portico is contrasted with the dangerously erupting snow-covered mountain. The figures populating the poster imagery are dressed for any occasion; be it sport out in the 'wild' or relaxing on the balcony.
The opening of the North Island main trunk railway in 1908 had provided a major boost to New Zealand's fledgling tourist industry, including opening up the central North Island’s Tongariro National Park, which became a popular holiday area in the 1920s.