The early-1950s BOAC "Hermes Speedbird" poster printed on a recycled-cotton canvas tote bag.
- Front: the full "Hermes Speedbird" airliner poster art for BOAC
- Bag: 10-ounce canvas, 80% recycled cotton / 20% cotton
- Size: 15.75" h x 15.25" w (approx. 240 cubic inches)
- Self-fabric handles
- Printed to order in Grapevine, Texas
This horizontal BOAC poster introduces the Handley Page Hermes, one of the airline's Speedbird fleet in the early 1950s. The artist is not recorded. BOAC ordered 25 Hermes IVs in 1947, and the four-engined, Bristol Hercules-powered airliner entered service on 6 August 1950 on the West Africa route from London to Accra via Tripoli, Kano and Lagos, with services to Kenya and South Africa following before year end. Its BOAC career was short: the Canadair Argonaut replaced it in 1952, though a few Hermes briefly returned in 1954 after the Comet was grounded.
The bag is made from 10-ounce canvas of 80% recycled cotton and 20% cotton. The recycled fibers are collected from garment-cutting waste and then intertwined with cotton for added strength and durability. Self-fabric handles. Dimensions: 15.75" h x 15.25" w; approx. 240 cubic inches.
Note: Bags not intended for use by children 12 and under.