Lot 212

David Klein, Africa / Fly TWA. Circa 1955.

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David Klein, Africa / Fly TWA. Circa 1955.

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500

Starting Bid: $750

(0 Bids)

by Swann Auction Galleries
July 30, 2026 12:00 PM EDT
Live Auction
104 East 25th Street
New York, NY, US 10010

David Klein
1918-2005
Africa / Fly TWA. Circa 1955.

Condition B+: replaced losses with overpainting and minor repaired tears at edges; creases with abrasions in upper text; colors attenuated.

Klein was a commercial illustrator who designed a number of posters for popular Broadway shows in the 1940s and 1950s. He is best remembered for his series of posters for Trans World Airlines in the 1950s and 60s, many of which have entered the visual vernacular of American culture. Among the most sought after of his travel poster work is this geometrically inspired image of zebras grazing in tall African grass. Almost abstract in the interplay between the zebras' stripes and the stalks of grass, this image has a colorful, hypnotic quality, which is a hallmark of Klein's work.

Huhne p. 72, The Poster 549, Publicité p. 195.

  • Dimensions: 39¼x25 inches, 99¾x63½ cm.
  • Condition: Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000