Poster Auctions International

David Klein was a pioneering American graphic designer and illustrator known for his vibrant, modernist travel posters that helped define the visual identity of the Jet Age. Born in El Paso, Texas, Klein studied at the Art Center School in Los Angeles and gained early recognition as part of the California Watercolor Society in the 1930s. During World War II, he contributed to the war effort by illustrating military manuals and morale-boosting posters.

After moving to New York City, Klein created artwork for Broadway productions including The Music Man and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, but his most enduring contribution came through his partnership with Trans World Airlines (TWA) in the 1950s and 1960s. His posters for TWA combined bold color, abstract shapes, and a dynamic sense of movement, capturing the excitement of air travel in a rapidly modernizing world. Among them, the Times Square poster was recognized by the Museum of Modern Art in 1957, marking a milestone in commercial art’s acceptance into the realm of high design.

Klein’s visual language—stripped of excessive text and reliant on form and color—became a template for mid-century travel advertising. In addition to TWA, he created posters for clients such as Amtrak, Holland America Line, Cunard, and Citibank, often experimenting with materials like transparent acetate overlays to achieve unique effects. Late in his career, he was invited to revisit his iconic style for a 2001 Orbitz campaign, reflecting his lasting influence on the aesthetics of travel marketing.

Today, Klein’s posters are recognized not only as commercial successes but as significant works of 20th century American design, celebrated for their artistic innovation and nostalgic appeal.