Description
Presenting an exceptional authentic vintage menu cover: an original 1956 lithograph by the celebrated American artist Eugene Savage, depicting a vibrant celebration of native Hawaiian culture and spiritual tradition. Titled Pomp and Circumstance, this 9-color lithograph was commissioned as a menu cover for the Matson Navigation Company’s flagship cruise liner, the SS Lurline. This vintage poster for sale captures the exuberant pageantry of Hawaiian dancers and ceremonial figures set against a dramatic tropical landscape—a signature example of Savage’s mastery of color lithography and his iconic contributions to Hawaiian Hawaiiana imagery.
Artist & the Matson Murals Commission:
Eugene Savage (1883–1978) was commissioned in 1938 by the Matson Navigation Company to create a series of monumental murals celebrating Hawaiian themes and culture. Completed in 1940, these groundbreaking murals were designed for installation aboard Matson’s luxury cruise ships. In 1948, lithographs derived from these original paintings were introduced as authentic poster menu covers on the SS Lurline and other Matson vessels, making this collectible poster an iconic artifact of mid-century Hawaiian tourism and cruise-line history. The original painting for this composition hangs as a permanent display in the Smithsonian Institution, affirming its historical and artistic significance.
Executed as a 9-color lithograph and originally issued as a Matson cruise-line menu cover in 1956, this certified vintage poster is presented in very good condition with bright, vivid colors and exceptional clarity of detail. The print is preserved in an acid-free archival folder, museum-grade protection ensuring the longevity and investment value of this rare antique poster. As an IVPDA-certified vintage poster dealer, we authenticate and certify the provenance and originality of every vintage poster in our collection, and this piece is guaranteed authentic and original.
This vintage poster for sale represents a convergence of three highly collectible categories: mid-century Hawaiian Hawaiiana, cruise-line memorabilia, and authentic vintage lithography. Matson menu covers from the 1950s command strong collector interest for both their artistic merit and historical significance as artifacts of the golden age of ocean travel. Savage’s depiction of Hawaiian spiritual celebration—with its dynamic composition, brilliant color palette, and ethnographic sensitivity—makes this an investment-grade addition to any curated collection of vintage travel posters, Hawaiian cultural artifacts, or mid-century Americana.
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