“HAPAG” Jaffa \ Tel Aviv Shore Advertisement for Mediterranean Cruises 1930s, by Otto Arpke

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Jaffa Shore Advertisement Poster for the Mediterranean Cruises of Hamburg-America Line 1930s, Designed by Otto Arpke

A beautiful “HAPAG Mittelmeer- und Orientfahrten” poster, advertising the Mediterranean cruises of the German shipping company HAPAG (Hamburg-America Line), illustration of old Jaffa, Tel Aviv on the shores of Palestine 1930s. It depicts the landscape of Jaffa with fishing boats dotting the nearby waters and a large ship in the distance and an imagery of two local women, one gracefully balancing a basket of fruit atop her head, set against a backdrop of lush palm tree fronds.

The Designer, Otto Arpke: Otto Arpke (1886-1943), was a renowned German painter, illustrator, and graphic designer. Born in Braunschweig and influenced by notable German artists like August Schlüter, Emil Orlik, and Paul Scheurich. He served as a professor at the Mainz School of Arts and Crafts (Kunst- und Gewerbeschule) and is celebrated for his graphic works. His portfolio includes posters for the Norddeutscher Lloyd and HAPAG shipping companies, the iconic poster for “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” movie, and various magazine covers. Additionally, Arpke’s artistic flair extended to the interior decoration of the Hindenburg and Graf Zeppelin II airships. However, with the rise of the Nazi regime, Arpke faced accusations of socialist leanings, leading to his removal from his position in Mainz. He was in contact with the Berlin resistance movement, which disseminated anti-Nazi leaflets, and is known to have assisted his Jewish friends in hiding and escaping from Germany.