Fly TWA - India

This India poster was created circa 1960 by the gifted American artist David Klein (1918 -2005) for TWA. The image shows an Indian wall relief with an elephant decorated with precious stones. Elephants were closely associated with royalty in India; they were dressed and adorned with expensive fabrics and jewelry. On top of the elephant, a howdah was placed for the ruler to sit on during processions or on their way to battle. TWA (Trans World Airlines) was formed in 1924 as Transcontinental & Western Air. The airline's first route was New York to Los Angeles, soon followed by multiple National routes. The airline expanded to serve Europe, the Middle East and Asia after WWII when the company was under the control of Howard Hughes, owner from 1939 until 1961. Hughes was a dominant force in expanding and promoting the routes flown by his company. The economy was vastly improving, and travels through air for business and pleasure increased too. Posters were a key element to promoting