Vintage EL AL Israel Airlines Poster – “The Holy Land” (1957), Design by S. Grundman

Product Description:

This vintage and original EL AL Israel Airlines advertising poster was issued in 1957, designed by S. Grundman, and is a fine example of mid-20th-century travel poster art.

The design is inspired by a Byzantine-style mosaic, rendered in vivid colors that symbolize both the ancient heritage and modern spirit of Israel in the 1950s. At its center is the image of a basket with loaves of bread flanked by two fish, a motif directly referencing the famous mosaic from the Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha, near the Sea of Galilee. This imagery highlights the connection to the Holy Land and its biblical associations, making it especially appealing for Christian pilgrims as well as Jewish visitors during that period.

The poster combines bold modernist typography with traditional iconography. The phrase “the holy land” is integrated into the mosaic pattern, while the bottom section prominently features the word “Israel” alongside the EL AL Airlines logo. The overall composition reflects EL AL’s mission at the time: to present Israel not only as a modern travel destination but also as a timeless land of history, spirituality, and cultural richness.

Today, this vintage poster is highly sought after among collectors of vintage airline memorabilia, Judaica, and Holy Land travel ephemera. It captures both the optimism of Israel’s early years and the golden age of airline advertising.

Details:

• Year of issue: 1957

• Designer: S. Grundman

• Publisher: EL AL Israel Airlines

• Style: Mosaic-inspired, mid-century modern design

• Theme: Promotion of Israel as “The Holy Land” ELAL

• Collectible field: Vintage airline posters, Judaica, Holy Land travel advertising

This vintage EL AL poster represents not just an airline promotion, but a piece of cultural history linking aviation, religion, and the birth of modern tourism to Israel.