Antique Canadian Pacific Railway Advertising Poster Showcard, Belfast to Canada, c.1913, Framed

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Description

Antique Canadian Pacific Railway Advertising Poster Showcard, Belfast to Canada, c.1913, Framed
Description
An original early 20th-century Canadian Pacific Railway … Read more Antique Canadian Pacific Railway Advertising Poster Showcard, Belfast to Canada, c.1913, Framed
Description
An original early 20th-century Canadian Pacific Railway advertising poster showcard, circa 1913, promoting transatlantic and trans-Pacific travel routes from Belfast to Canada and beyond.
This is a lithographic colour print on card, produced as a display showcard for travel agents and shipping offices, and now presented in a traditional gilt frame under glass. Unlike later paper posters, showcards were printed on heavier stock for interior commercial display, making surviving examples increasingly scarce.
The composition is richly detailed and visually balanced, centering on a Trans-Canada locomotive and framed by allegorical figures representing global trade and travel. Flanking maritime scenes depict Canadian Pacific’s renowned Empress-class ocean liners, connecting Europe to North America and onward to Asia. The lower panel outlines the scale of the network, including rail lines, steamship routes, telegraph systems, and immigration opportunities in Western Canada.
Designed after the work of British artist Thomas Eyre Macklin RBA (1867–1943) and printed by Henry Jenkinson Ltd, Leeds, this piece reflects the sophistication of Edwardian commercial design, where fine art aesthetics were applied to advertising.
This example is a Belfast-issued regional variant, bearing a named agent, adding a layer of geographic specificity and collector appeal. It sits at the intersection of railroad history, maritime travel, and early global commerce, making it highly attractive to collectors as well as interior designers seeking authentic period wall art.
Provenance
Irish private collection
Acquired via notable Irish auction house Victor Mee Auctions, Co. Cavan, Ireland in 2022
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

Dimensions (Framed)
Height: 17.7 inches
Width: 21.6 inches
Depth: 1.2 inches

Frame
Presented in a traditional gilt frame which complements the period character and allows for immediate display.
Additional Information
Original circa 1913 example (not a reproduction)
Lithographic print on card (showcard format)
Canadian Pacific Railway / Steamship Company interest
Railroad and maritime advertising collectible See less