“Sailing — Sydney Harbour, N.S.W.” — James Northfield
Vintage Travel Poster (c.1950)
Exhilarating, sunlit, and full of motion, this superb reproduction of Sailing — Sydney Harbour captures the harbour at its most alive. Created around 1950 by celebrated Australian artist James Northfield, the poster evokes the golden age of travel—when Sydney was presented as a playground of wind, water, and effortless sophistication.
Cream sails billow across sparkling blue water as crews lean into the breeze, with the harbour alive behind them—an image of freedom, skill, and coastal confidence.
Australia at full sail.
✈️ Iconic Imagery from the Jet-Age of Travel
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A fleet of classic sailing boats heeling into the wind
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Dynamic figures in motion, ropes taut and sails full
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Sun-drenched blues and warm sailcloth tones, alive with energy
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Painterly brushwork that conveys speed, spray, and light
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Bold AUSTRALIA typography anchoring the composition with national pride
📐 Size Options
| Format | Dimensions (H × W) |
|---|---|
| Standard | 700 mm × 450 mm |
Original proportions preserved. Custom sizing available on request.
🎨 Premium Format Options
📄 Paper — Printed on heavyweight 170 gsm coated paper; smooth, vibrant, and ideal for framing under glass.
🧽 Laminated — True encapsulation using 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate; exceptionally durable and wipe-clean.
🪵 Laminated + Wooden Hang Rails — Natural timber rails with discreet hanging cord; ready to display straight away.
🖼️ Canvas — 395 gsm HP Professional Matte Canvas, printed with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for rich texture and archival longevity.
🪵 Canvas + Wooden Hang Rails — Premium canvas presentation with timber rails top and bottom; effortless, elegant wall hanging.
⏳ Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed finishes, as each is carefully assembled by our professional framer.
🎁 Ideal For
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Collectors of Australian vintage travel posters
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Sailing and maritime history enthusiasts
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Coastal, nautical, and mid-century modern interiors
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Studies, offices, living spaces, and gallery walls
🌍 A Poster That Tells a Story
In the post-war years, Australia promoted itself through images of vitality and lifestyle. Northfield’s harbour scenes transformed Sydney into a symbol of leisure and modern confidence—where sport, scenery, and sunshine met on the water.
This was travel sold as experience: fast, bright, and unforgettable.
🖼️ Display with Pride
Whether framed, laminated for everyday durability, or presented on canvas with elegant timber hang rails, this poster brings movement, light, and classic Australian coastal glamour into any space.
Energetic. Joyful. Iconic.
