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The Swissair poster collection

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The Galerie 1 2 3 Swissair Poster Collection

affiche Swissair poster


During the last 20 years Galerie 1 2 3 has diligently assembled one of the most important poster collections of Swissair, the old national Swiss airline company.

Balair, Benützet den Luftweg, Luftverkehrs Union

1928 – Otto BAUMBERGER

CHF 1650.–


It is with great pleasure that we are exhibiting, both in our gallery and on our internet site, this collection of 140 original posters, completed by an exceptional series of company model planes.

This page contains a large number of posters printed by the company Swissair. Those that are marked sold are not available for the moment. These photos come from our archives. We have made the choice to to present them online in order to complete our story and to offer our visitors an almost exhaustive vision of the posters commissioned by Swissair.

Swissair 1931 - 2001

During its 70 years of flight, Swissair has transported 260 million passengers across the world and has contributed to Switzerland's cultural influence.

The excellence, reliability and quality of its service made it one of the most appreciated companies in the world. The Swiss cross on the tail fin of its planes never failed to produce emotion when seen by Swiss citizens in airports across the world. It was a little piece of the country.

Swissair, Convair Metropolitan, The Newest Airliner in European Service, Radar equipped

1956 – Kurt WIRTH

CHF 4250.–

The company has always took care of its image, using a purist design and a 'Swiss International' graphic style.

It ordered the numerous posters that would accompany its expansion and which today have become icons and witnesses to the extraordinary development of aerial transport.


The Top of the Rock at the Rockfeller Center.

Mit der Swissair nach NordAmerika

1950 – Henri OTT

Welcome on Board, Swissair flight SR 1 2 3

May we have your attention Please.

Please switch off your mobile phone.

For take off make sure that the back of your seat is in a fully upright position.

Fasten your seat belt.

Now relax in your seat.

Swissair, Douglas DC-3

1937 – Jean WALTHER

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affiche ancienne Swissair DC-3 vintage poster

The Aviation Poster

Aviation has been involved in all of the great changes of the 20th century. In just 100 years the aviation industry has been transformed from one of adventurous pioneers to low-cost fares. Its rapid development profoundly influenced our society. Not only did it revolutionize our way of travelling , but it also modified our way of thinking, eating, fighting war, even in our perception of the world and the way we dream.

Swissair DC-3

1938 circa – Teddy BRUNNER

Sold


Veritable national ambassadors, airline company posters became an excellent support for tourism.

During the whole of the century they accompanied aviation's evolution and were an important vector in the democratization of airline transport.


Aviation's economic activity, rapidly produced numerous high quality artistic posters. Rival companies employed the best artists, excellent printers and commissioned thousands of posters that still captivate us.

Advertising posters have been highly important in the promotion of the image of these companies. Destinations, speed, security, comfort, excellent service and the arts were the principal themes.

Swissair DC-4 HB-ILU

1948 – Bernhard REBER

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Maiden Flight

The Time of the Pioneers

After the first flight by the Wright brothers in 1903, courageous adventurers aimed for the conquest of the skies. They met during aviation meetings to test their machines, proposed challenges and tried out ever more daring flights. Often the pilots were the constructors of their own machines.

Berne, Flugtage in Bern: 5e meeting d'aviation de Berne

1911 – Hermann Rudolf SEIFERT

CHF 1150.–

Large crowds were attracted by the meetings via magnificent posters. A curious and enthusiastic public applauded the 'flying madmen in their funny machines.'

Schweizerische Nationale Flugspende

1913 – Paul KAMMULLER

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It was also at this time that courageous passengers made their maiden flights in hot air balloons during the big commercial fairs.

Luzern, Erste Schweiz. luftschiff station

1910 – ANONYMOUS

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Several 'International Gordon-Bennett races with hot air balloons', in Geneva and Zurich.

Zürich, Gordon-Bennet, Courses internationales de Ballons 1909

1909 – Adolphe TIÈCHE

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14 - 18

Swiss military aviation was created in 1913. The planes and their pilots were mobilized at the beginning of the war for reconnaissance missions.

Mobilisation 1914, Chocolats Peter Cailler Kohler

1916 – Jules COURVOISIER

CHF 870.–

The First Companies

At the end of the war, a new activity began: postal transport carried out by demobilized pilots. Several pilots flying just one or two planes, founded the first airline companies, which assured postal transport and opened the first regular airline routes.

The technological advances that developed during the war enabled these companies to build civil aircraft, of which the quality of construction and power have continued to develope until today.

Lausanne, Aéroport de Lausanne

1931 – ANONYMOUS

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Lausanne Airport

1910 saw the first plane landing in a field at La Blécherette near Lausanne. One year later the land was nominated 'airport' and the first 'aviation day' took place on June 1911. A postal service between Lausanne and Zurich was opened in 1919. Passengers followed the year after.

During the twenties regular direct lines liked Lausanne to the main European cities.

In 1930, to support its Airport, the city of Lausanne bought one AC-4 Aircraft, built by Alfred Comte, a Swiss constructor and future founder of the Swiss Air Lines Company.
In 1931, followed a second machine, the AC-11 (HB-KIM) visible on this poster.

Alpar

Small passenger transport companies sprang up all over Europe. The oldest company still in activity, KLM, was founded in 1919.

Ad Astra Aero in Zurich was born in the same year, Balair in 1925 and Alpar in Bern, 1929. These companies unified the great cities of Europe.

Alpar Bern

1937 – Alfred CARDINAUX

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Bern (Schweiz), Zentrum für Rund-und-Alpen-Flüge

1929 circa – Otto GOLDER

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Alpar, Fliege über die schöne Schweiz

1936 – Alfred CARDINAUX

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The Merger of Ad Astra and Balair/1931

Walter Mittelholzer >

It was under the impetus of the Office of Civil Aviation that Alphons Ehinger of Balair and Walter Mittelholzer would convince the shareholders to accept the merger of the two companies, the 17th and 26th of March 1931.

Walter Mittelholzer >


A1526_photodetail.jpgbanniere_aero.jpg

Letter heading of Ad Astra Aero dated 1919

Ad Astra Aero

Ad Astra was the first Swiss company and was founded in 1919 by two pioneers, Alfred Comte, pilot and plane constructor, and his pupil pilot, Walter Mittelholzer.

In the first year of its existence Ad Astra proposed flights over the Alps for two passengers, as you can read from the letter heading above.

The capacity of these new planes enabled them to carry 5 passengers in 1925.

The Ad Astra Aero company bought a Fokker F.VII, among others, which would become one of the first Swissair planes.


Balair Line

1926 – Niklaus STOECKLIN

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Balair

A Fokker-Grulich F-II, registered CH-152 in April 1926, is represented on this Niklaus Stoecklin poster, drawn in the same year. This plane had a cargo load of only 400kg.


Transports rapides aériens

1928 – Burkhard MANGOLD

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A Fokker F-VII is illustrated here, on these posters for the company 'Transports Rapides Aériens,' or 'Travel by Air' in English.

This plane, registered CH-158 belonged to the Balair company but was represented under these two other names while flying over France and England.

It was registered in March 1928.

Travel by air

1928 – Burkhard MANGOLD

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Balair, Benützet den Luftweg, Luftverkehrs Union

1928 – Otto BAUMBERGER

CHF 1650.–


'Travel by air, Tickets for sale at the Luftverkehrs Union' (The Air Traffic Union).

Extremely rare Advertising cardboard by Otto Baumberger for the Swiss company Balair.

The Fokkers VIIa CH-159 was registered in March 1928 for the Balair Company and was included in the Swissair fleet in 1931.

A suitcase label from the same company represents a Fokker F.VIIb-3m which went into service for Balair in 1929.

It was triple motored with two pilot seats and could transport up to 10 passengers at a cruising speed of 180 km/h.

As we can see from this rare label, this company was also known as 'Swiss Air Traffic Co. Ltd'.

Balair

1929 circa – ANONYMOUS

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The Birth of Swissair / 1931

Balair in Basel and Ad Astra in Zurich merged on the 26 of March 1931 and gave birth to the Swiss national company Swissair.

With this merger, the Schweizerische Luftverkehr AG or Swissair was born.

Planes belonging to these two companies were reused by Swissair since its foundation in 1931. They kept their old registration numbers in the new company, for example the CH-190 of Ad Astra.

As a result of this merger the new company had a fleet of 13 planes and a capacity to transport 86 passengers.

Its 10 pilots served 13 European cities: Geneva, Basel, Bern, Zurich, Lucern, Mannheim, Frankfurt, Cologne, Essen, Amsterdam, Stuttgart Leipzig and Berlin.

Swissair DC-2, Swissair, Vols de plaisance

1937 – Eugen HAFELFINGER

The First Swissair Poster / 1931

The first Swissair poster, or more precisely, a small advertising sign on cardboard, exists with two different texts. It shows a Fokker F.VIIb-3m drawn by Carl Moos, flying over the Swiss Alps.

Swissair, lignes aériennes swissair

1931 – Carl MOOS

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These two advertising signs on cardboard drawn by Carl Moos are extremely rare.


Swissair, Luftverkehr, Air Traffic

1933 circa – Carl MOOS

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The Fokker CH-161 was registered in February 1930 for Balair.

The plane crashed in October of the same year, before the foundation of Swissair. Therefore it never flew for the national company.

At its foundation Swissair reused 8 other examples of this trimotor originally belonging to Ad Astra and Balair and they were put into service between 1929 and 1930.

These monoplanes in wood, metal and canvas carried 2 pilots and 8 to 10 passengers. It flew at a cruising speed of 180 km/h.


This Fokker flying over the Alps in an Art Deco sky was also printed in a travel size format (64 x 102cm).

Swissair, Schweiz Luftverkehrs A.G

1933 circa – Carl MOOS

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The First Swiss Air Lines Logos


During the first years of its existence, Swissair did not have a clear visual identity.

Even its name was uncertain, Swissair of course, but also 'Swiss Air Lines', 'Lignes Aériennes Swissair', Schweizeriche Luftverkehr 'Swissair', 'Air Traffic 'Swissair', or even, 'Swiss Air2', in two words.

Very often we find the name Swissair written in simple typography, sometimes slanting to one side. Other graphic designers tried more fanciful creations, but they would not come to much.

Swissair Fokker FVIIb-3M, label

1932 circa – ANONYMOUS

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Swissair, Chronik für Fluggäste

1937 – ANONYMOUS

CHF 330.–


< Swissair design 1937

Swissair logo 1944 >

Swissair, Logo 1944

1944 – ANONYMOUS

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Nelly Diener / 1934


Nelly Diener, The first air hostess.

Since its foundation, Swissair privileged quality and reception.

In 1934 the company employed Nelly Diener as air hostess.

She was the first European air hostess and immediately became the mascot of the company, and took on the nickname, 'The angel of the skies'.
Unfortunately, Nelly Diener died the same year in a crash involving a Swissair Curtiss AT-32C Condor CH-170.

Swissair, Nelly Diener, 50 years Flight Attendants, 1934 - 1984

1983 – A. SPROSS

CHF 590.–

Swissair DC-2 / 1934


The First Swissair DC-2 , put into service in 1934.

Swissair, Douglas DC-2 Verkehrsflugzeug

1934 – ANONYMOUS

CHF 1470.–


With 2 pilots and a stewardess the Douglas DC-2-115B transported 14 passengers at a cruising speed of 240km/h on the European network.






Swissair DC-2 vintage Poster affiche plakat


Collaboration with the Swiss National Travel Office.

In 1935 and in 1937 the Swiss National Travel Office commissioned 2 posters in collaboration with Swiss Air Lines.

Swissair, Paris-Bâle en 1h.40 & Paris-Zürich en 2h.20 en DC-2

1935 – Herbert MATTER

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This much celebrated Herbert Matter poster in photo montage representing a DC-2 flying over the summit of the Bernina mountain was printed in several texts in both French and German.


Extremely rare version with the name Swissair printed in silk screen. The young company had only existed for 4 years.

The second poster that was printed by the Swiss National Office of Tourism was drawn by Eugen Halefinger in 1937. It represents a DC-2 flying over an idyllic alpine landscape.

This poster exists in several languages and in several versions, either with the proof before the letter, with an invitation to come to Switzerland by plane or with an explicit reference to Swissair.

Swissair DC-2, before letter

1937 – Eugen HAFELFINGER

CHF 1270.–

Swissair DC-2, Venez en Suisse par avion

1937 – Eugen HAFELFINGER

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Swissair DC-2, Swissair, Vols de plaisance

1937 – Eugen HAFELFINGER

Swissair DC-3 / 1937

The First DC-C3, delivered to Swissair in 1937.

Swissair, Cendrier DC-3

1937 circa – ANONYMOUS

CHF 690.–


This is a Douglas DC-3-216, registered HB-IRA.

Swissair bought it new for 527,000 Swiss Francs.









Swissair DC-3 HB-IRA, Zürich London in 3.5 hours

1937 circa – SS, Studio Selecta

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Swissair, Douglas DC-3

1937 – Jean WALTHER

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With 2 pilots and a navigator, 1 or 2 cabin personnel, it carried 21 passengers on the European network, at 280km/h.






Swissair, Douglas DC-3, Avion de transport

1940 – Hans ERNI

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Vintage poster Swissair DC-3 affiche ancinne originalplakat

Swissair or Froissair ?

For the first time, the Swissair logo appears on a suitcase label with its 'S' as a capital letter and the 'w' rounded in shape, the whole written in a form of italic script.

This label which depicts a DC-2 flying head on over the Alps in an intense yellow sky, dates from around 1936.

In 1937 this logo was painted on to the fuselage of the 'Swissair De Haviland Dragon Rapid D.H.89' then on the company's DC-3s.

Swissair label, DC-2

1936 circa – ANONYMOUS

Even today, this typography is difficult to read, for some people it reads, 'Friossair'.

Despite the confusion, the logo was used on most of Swissair's publications until 1950, even if it sometimes co-existed with versions printed in the simpler Helvetia style.


Swissair label, DC-4

1946 circa – ANONYMOUS

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Swissair, Fanion

1936 circa – ANONYMOUS

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Swissair label, DC-4

1946 circa – ANONYMOUS

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Certain posters between 1938 and 1939 present another Swissair logo with the 'W' rounded in shape.

Swissair DC-3

1938 circa – Teddy BRUNNER

Sold


As in this extremely rare poster drawn by T. Brunner or on this other for the Studio Sélection.

Swissair DC-3

1938 circa – SS, Studio Selecta

Sold

From 1946 to 1950 several logos and typographies were used simultaneously. It was not until 1951 and the work of Rudolph Berger that the image of the logo was clarified for the national company.

Swissair DC-4 / 1946

Swissair received its first DC-4 in 1946.

At the cost of 2,259,000 Swiss Francs, the Swissair DC-4 HB-ILA entered into service on the 24th of November 1946.
With 1 captain, 1 co-pilot, 2 radio-telegraph navigators, 1 mechanic in the pilot's cabin and 2-3 cabin assistants, the DC-4 also carried 44 passengers at a cruising speed of 340 km/h.

Thanks to its flight range of 3,350 km/h, it could for the first time fly over the North Atlantic, with two planned stops, one in Ireland and the other in Canada.

Swissair DC-4 HB-ILA

1948 – Hermann EIDENBENZ

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A magnificent poster by Hermann Eidenbenz printed in 1948 which represents the first Swissair DC-4 flying over the Swiss Alps.




Swissair

1948 – Hermann EIDENBENZ

CHF 790.–

On this poster by Bernard Reber, we can see the Swissair DC-4-HB-ILU, put into service in 1952, taking off from the Zurich Kloten airport.

Swissair DC-4 HB-ILU

1948 – Bernhard REBER

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Geneva - New York/ 1947

2nd May 1947 - 1st Transatlantic Flight Geneva - New York.

Mit der Swissair nach New York

1949 – Henri OTT

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On the 2nd of May 1947, the first DC-4 took off from Geneva for New York with 7 crew members and 28 guests, mostly officials and journalists.

The plane took off at night from Cointrin airport to the sound of the Swiss and American national anthems.






Mit der Swissair nach NordAmerika

1950 – Henri OTT

After the two stops in Ireland and Canada, the plane made a third unplanned stop in Washington due to bad weather. Unfortunately the plane could not take off again because the crew did not have the necessary 500 dollars to fill the tank with petrol. Finally the Swiss Embassy lent them the money and the plane could take off again.

This episode could be considered a premonition of the infamous 2nd of October 2001, the day of the Swissair 'Grounding.'

It was only after the passing of these events that the plane eventually landed in New York, two days late.

However, the return flight went without incident and the route Geneva - New York was open.

The transatlantic flight return ticket cost 3,400 Swiss Francs, or 242 paid working days according to the average Swiss salary of the time.

Swissair, Frankfurt - USA

1951 – Henri OTT

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Geneva Cointrin Airport

Geneva International Airport, Fly there by Swissair

1948 – Walter MAHRER

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In 1947, with the aim of permitting the landing of DC-4s owned by Swissair and the American company TWA, the Geneva Cointrin airport inaugurated the first concrete landing strip in Switzerland.

This is the reason why the first Swissair flight to New York took off from Geneva.

As the Kloten airport in Zurich was not yet constructed, that of Geneva was the principle airport in Switzerland, with among others, its international customers from the UNO.


Genève Aéroport intercontinental par Swissair

1958 circa – Walter MAHRER

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Swissair luggage labels

Swissair label DC-4

1949 circa – ANONYMOUS

CHF 70.–

Swissair commissioned 10 or so baggage labels.

These small advertisements were coated with gum arabic so that they would stick on to the passenger's baggage.

A nice way to spread their logo and their brand.

Certain examples of these labels are extremely rare today.

Swissair label, DC-4

1948 circa – ANONYMOUS

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Herbert Leupin

Swissair DC-4

1949 – Herbert LEUPIN

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Swissair

1950 – Herbert LEUPIN

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Swissair DC-7

1956 – Herbert LEUPIN

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This celebrated Swissair poster, designed by Herbert Leupin was printed three times, in 1949 and 1950 depicting a DC-4, and in 1956 showing a DC-7 Seven Seas with the new company's logo.

The New Typography Swissair / 1951

After years of confusion, the need to choose a definitive typography and to give a stable visual identity made itself felt.

RUDOLPH BIRCHER

In 1951, for the 30th anniversary of Swissair, the graphic designer Rudolph Bircher would at last create a logo that was worthy of the Swiss national company.

Swissair label

1951 circa – Rudolf BIRCHER

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He initially re-drew the typography of the name Swissair: capital letters, without serif and with the three ’S’s elongated.

In doing so he gave the impression of speed and created a dynamic which perfectly symbolized aerial flight.

He kept the red and the white, the colors of the Swiss flag already used by the company.
In some cases he added blue, the color of the sky.

This typography resolutely Modernist and immediately recognizable, would be associated with the company until 1981.

Swissair label

1951 circa – Rudolf BIRCHER

CHF 60.–

Swissair DC-6 / 1951


The First DC-6 was Delivered to Swissair in June 1951.

The Swissair DC-6-B-1198 registered HB-IBA entered in to service on the 24th of June 1951.

With 5 crew in the cockpit and 3 stewards, it transported 69 passengers at a cruising speed of 440 km/h.

Swissair, Cendrier DC-6

1951 – ANONYMOUS

CHF 730.–

Several examples of this little model of the DC-6 have been mounted on to an older Swissair stand, with a glass ashtray tinted in black.

Later the same small model of the DC-6 was mounted on a more modern chrome stand.

Cendrier Swissair DC-6

1952 circa – ANONYMOUS

CHF 560.–

Swissair DC-6 HB-IBE 1/72

1951 – RAISE-UP

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< Travel Agency model 1/72 of HB-IBE, put in to service in July 1951.


The Swissair DC-6B HB-IBA >

Swissair DC-6-B

1951 circa – G. KELLER

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The Democratization of Flight

In 1947 a return flight Geneva - New York cost 3400 CHF.

The first airplane tickets were expensive. In 1947 a return ticket Geneva - New York cost the equivalent of 242 working days according to the average Swiss salary of the time. It was much too expensive for the majority of the population. It was accessible only to rich passengers or those travelling out of necessity.

The arrival of new more powerful planes that had a bigger capacity, such as the DC-6, the Convair Metropolitans and the DC-7, allowed a lowering of the cost.


Swissair, Les voyages par avion à la portée de chacun

1953 – Elli WEIDER - SIEBER

CHF 780.–


The price became an important selling factor, such as is shown on the Elli Weider poster which points out that, ’Travelling by plane is accessible to everyone’, in the French version, and in the German, ‘More people travel today for less money.’

Swissair, Mehr Leute fliegen heute für weniger Geld

1953 – Elli WEIDER - SIEBER

CHF 780.–

Swissair by Henri Ott 1951 - 1953

Swissair, Milan

1953 – Henri OTT

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The Swissair network continued to grow.

A new style of poster appeared. Posters describing destinations. It stopped being about selling the latest model of plane, but instead about inciting the future passenger to dream of idyllic locations, either typical or exotic which were charged with the identity symbols depicted in the posters.
These evocations had to be easily understood by the public in order to arouse the enthusiasm to travel and go on holiday.

Swissair, Manchester

1951 – Henri OTT

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Swissair, Brussels

1951 – Henri OTT

CHF 620.–

Swissair, Nice

1951 – Henri OTT

CHF 990.–

Swissair Istanbul

1951 – Henri OTT

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Hence, in the well-known series of brightly colored posters by Henry Ott, the airplane has completely disappeared.

The artist used a strong symbol for each destination. For example he chose the Promenade des Anglais for Nice, a dromedary for Cairo and the opera house La Scala for Milan.

The association is immediate and the message is clear.

Swissair, Tel Aviv

1951 – Henri OTT

CHF 990.–

Swissair, Cairo

1951 – Henri OTT

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Swissair, Amsterdam

1951 – Henri OTT

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Welcome to Switzerland

Swissair DC-6

1954 – Donald BRUN

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Donald Brun’s joyous posters have become the national company’s classics.

Swissair’s DC-6 is greeted by a shepherd or a stork.

Swissair DC-6

1951 – Donald BRUN

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confidence

Swissair always promoted excellence of reception and security.

Swissair

1950 circa – ANONYMOUS

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Posters often tried to show how safe air travel was and how much it merited the confidence of the public, by depicting smiling hostesses, a captain welcoming a small child on-board, or even how relaxed passengers were when boarding the aircraft.

Swissair, casquette du personnel au sol

1949 circa – ANONYMOUS

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Swissair

1949 – Donald BRUN

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Donald Brun was engaged several times by Swissair for his relaxed, playful style.
His posters, communicating joy and confidence, were highly prized by the company which wanted to reassure its customers.

Swissair

1949 – Donald BRUN

CHF 960.–

In these posters, the scene is the same and the aim is identical: to reassure the customer by showing relaxed passengers as they mount the Swissair plane.

Förläng Sommaren, Flyg med Swissair till Schweiz

1948 – Henri OTT

CHF 1370.–

Pour Augmenter le plaisir, voyagez par Swissair DC-4

1948 – Henri OTT

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Swissair, Tchécoslovaquie - Suisse

1948 – Henri OTT

CHF 1370.–

Swissair

1953 – Hans LOOSER

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Swissair

1955 – Hans LOOSER

CHF 1870.–

Swissair

1955 – Fridolin MULLER

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Service and Comfort

The World Network

World conquest

With the arrival of more powerful DC-6s, with a 4,800km range, plus the Convair-Metropolitan and the DC-7 Seven Seas, the Swissair network grew over 4 continents.

Swissair, Far East

1957 – Hugo WETLI

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Swissair USA

1955 – Donald BRUN

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Swissair, Japan

1968 – UEMURA Shôkô (after)

CHF 850.–

Planes crossed the seas and oceans to Africa, the Americas, India and Japan.

The company printed a great number of posters for these far off exotic destinations.

Swissair, Naher Osten

1952 – Fritz GIRARDIN, Achille B. WEIDER

CHF 1170.–

Swissair, Südamerika

1953 – Otto GLASER

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Swissair - Proche Orient

1952 – Fritz GIRARDIN, Achille B. WEIDER

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Swissair, The greatest ski-lift

Swiss International Style by Swissair

Swissair + Swissair DC-6

1951 circa – Carlo L. VIVARELLI

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In this poster by Carlo Vivarelli, a charming air hostess wishes passengers 'bon voyage', as they make their way towards a DC-6.

This superb photo-montage is highlighted by 2 typographies of 'Swissair ' in the form of a cross which structures the composition and subtly reminds us of the Swiss cross.

The artist has not yet used Rudolph Bergers's new typography and his new logo which was created at the end of 1951. The use of the color orange is surprising.

It seems that the codes of graphic design have not yet been fixed.

It was for these reasons, and because the photo represents a model of a DC-6 delivered in the same year, we esteem that, even if it is not dated exactly, this poster was created in 1951.


Following in the tradition of the new Swissair logo, created by Rudolph Berger, several greatly renowned Swiss artists, such as Henri Ott, Kurt Wirth or Max Schneider designed posters in the purist Swiss International style.

Swissair, Votre voyage aérien commence à Berne

1955 circa – Henri OTT

CHF 490.–

Swissair, Basel, Ausstellung in der MUBA-Vorhalle 8

1957 – Henri OTT

CHF 490.–

Swissair, Beginnen Sie Ihre Flugreise in Bern

1955 circa – Henri OTT

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Swissair Convair Metropolitan / 1956

The most modern plane in Europe, equipped with a radar.

Swissair Convair Metropolitan HB-IMB 1/50

1956 – RAISE-UP

CHF 6750.–

In 1956, Swissair received its first Convair Metropolitan CV-440-11, constructed by General Dynamics.

A bi-motor with propellers, it carried 44 passengers on the European network at a cruising speed of 410km/h and had only two pilots.





Kurth Wirth

Swissair, Convair Metropolitan

1956 – Kurt WIRTH


An occasion for Kurt Wirth to produce one of his masterpieces in the Swiss International poster style.

This poster was printed in two sizes (large Swiss size and travel size), in German, French and Italian, the 3 national languages.

Swissair, Convair Metropolitan, The Newest Airliner in European Service, Radar equipped

1956 – Kurt WIRTH

CHF 4250.–

Swissair DC-7 seven seas / 1956

The Most Modern long haul Plane in the World.

The DC-7C-1229C nicknamed the Seven Seas, the most modern long haul plane in the world, was a magnificent slender quadri-motor with in line propellers.


Swissair DC-7c HB-IBK 1/72

1956 – RAISE-UP

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2 superb Swissair travel agency models of the DC-7 HB-IBK

< in 1/72

in 1/50 >


Swissair DC-7c HB-IBK 1/50

1956 – RAISE-UP

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Always Faster, Always further.

Swissair Seven seas, DC-7C, The world's fastest long-range airliner

1956 – Kurt WIRTH

CHF 2430.–


The first Swissair DC-7C was delivered in November 1956. It carried 75 passengers, with 5 crew members in the cabin at a speed of 550 km/h.

Its speed and its long flight range (9000km) meant it was destined for the long transatlantic routes towards North and South America. It was the first plane to cross the North Atlantic as a regular flight route without stopping either way.

This superb poster by Kurt Wirth, in the pure Swiss International Style exists in the three national languages, French, German and Italian.






The Swissair Family

Swissair DC-7, Bal des escales 1958, Genève

1958 – GRAF-NEUHAUS

CHF 1340.–

The company maintained a real company culture by encouraging sporting and cultural activities for its workers and their family, for example team sports >

< or even ballroom bingo such as in this poster of a DC-7 by Graf-Neuhaus.

Each worker was proud to work for 'Swissair' and to be part of its family. The workers were held in high esteem by the rest of the country.

Swissair, Société de Tir, Tir international 1964, Genève

1964 – ANONYMOUS

CHF 50.–

Swissair by Donald Brun / 1958

Swissair to India

1958 – Donald BRUN

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In 1958 Swissair asked two famous artists from the Basel school (Donald Brun and Fritz Bühler), to create a series of posters of various destinations to promote its world network which was in full expansion thanks to its DC-7 Seven Seas.

Swissair to the USA

1958 – Donald BRUN

Sold

Swissair to Japan

1958 – Donald BRUN

CHF 1350.–

Swissair to South America

1958 – Donald BRUN

CHF 990.–

Swissair by Fritz Bühler / 1958

Swissair to the Middle East

1958 – Fritz BUHLER

CHF 1160.–


On these posters by Fritz Bühler as in the series by Donald Brun, the plane is reduced to a small silhouette.

The plane was not the central motif of the message. It only served to remind us it was an airline company poster. They believed it was more important to seduce the public by presenting them with images of idyllic holidays.

Swissair to the Mediterranean

1958 – Fritz BUHLER

CHF 970.–

Swissair to Europe

1958 – Fritz BUHLER

CHF 990.–

Swissair to Switzerland

1959 – Fritz BUHLER

Sold

Swissair to Europe

1958 – Fritz BUHLER

CHF 475.–


< Advertising cardboard

The "Publicités sur les Lieux de Vente" (PLV) were small advertising cardboards displayed on the counters of travel agencies.

Swissair DC-8 / 1960

The arrival of jets, Boeing 707 in 1958, Douglas DC-8 in 1959, a revolution in aerial transport.

Flight speed was doubled and passed from 450 to 900km/h. The number of passengers reached 200 and fuel intake fell by 30%.

These performances allowed for a substantial drop in ticket prices and opened the market to the middle class and holiday makers.

Swissair ashtray DC-8-53

1960 – ANONYMOUS

CHF 390.–


The first Douglas DC-8 was delivered to Swissair in April 1960.

The Swissair Douglas DC-8 HB-IDA transported 132 passengers at 885 km/h over the North Atlantic network with 4 professionals working in the cabin and up to 6 air hostesses.





Superb travel agency model of a Swissair Douglas DC-8 HB-IDA in 1/50,

example numbered No.1

Swissair DC-8-32 HB-IDA

1960 – RAISE-UP

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Swissair Caravelle

In the month of April 1960, Swissair received both its first DC-8 and its first Caravelle.

The SE-210 Caravelle III Swissair HB-ICW had a capacity of 80 passengers. Its cruising speed was 830 km/h for the middle haul flights on the European network.

Swissair Caravelle HB-ELF 1/50

1960 – RAISE-UP

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Superb travel agency model in 1/50.

Swissair received 9 caravelles, but the registration HB-Elf was finally not allocated.

THE JET REVOLUTION /1960

Thanks to the technology brought about by reactor propulsion, the speed and capacity were doubled in comparison to the DC-4 of 1947, and even the fuel consomption was less.

Swissair DC-8, Jets worldwide

1960 – Max SCHNEIDER

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By a subtle photo montage, the Swissair poster by Max Schneider illustrates the jet's explosive acceleration, and celebrates the arrival of the DC-8 and the Caravelles.

Swissair Cargo

Swissair Cargo all over the world

1958 circa – LENZ

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Mercantile transport and transport of precious goods had always been an important part of Swissair’s business. Passenger transport helped to make flights more profitable.

Several posters were printed to help support this department.


Swissair, Cargo

1958 – Max SCHNEIDER

CHF 1140.–

Swissair Cargo

1983 – Ruedi HOFSTETTER

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Swissair Cargo, See the difference

1990 circa – Nikolaus SCHWABE

CHF 330.–

Swissair by Niklaus Schwabe / 1961

Niklaus Schwabe was commissioned in 1961 by Swissair for a series of posters which had to represent the company’s different markets: Europe and the Mediterranean, the Near East, South America, North America, India and Japan.

The artist created an attractive series of collages that concentrated on the identifying symbols of those regions.

Swissair, Mediterranean

1961 – Nikolaus SCHWABE

CHF 490.–

Swissair, Middle East

1961 – Nikolaus SCHWABE

CHF 960.–

Swissair, South America

1961 – Nikolaus SCHWABE

CHF 570.–


Like his predecessors, also creators of travel destination posters such as Henri Ott, Donald Brun and Fritz Bühler, Niklaus Schwabe took motifs which identified with the country in question:

A Greek sculpture for the Mediterranean, a dromedary in front of a pyramid for the Middle East, a Mexican for South America, a large American car in front of sky-scrapers for the USA, an elephant for India and a Geisha for Japan.


Swissair, USA

1961 – Nikolaus SCHWABE

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Swissair India

1961 – Nikolaus SCHWABE

CHF 840.–

Swissair Japan

1961 – Nikolaus SCHWABE

CHF 630.–

Swissair Convair Coronado / 1962

In January 1962 Swissair received its first Convair CV-990-30A registered HB-ICA.

In 1961, two Convair 880 Coronado's were rented by Swissair. Constructed by General Dynamics, this plane carried 84 passengers at a cruising speed of 865 km/h.

Swissair flew them over the Middle East and the Far East.

Swissair Convair Coronado 990 HB-ICA . 1/50

1962 – RAISE-UP

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A long haul courier plane, with the capacity to carry 100 passengers. This magnificent quadri-reactor had a record cruising speed of 895 km/h.

With the exception of Concorde, it is still to this day the fastest civil transport plane in history. In fact, today, planes fly at a lesser speed in order to economize fuel.




Swissair Convair Coronado 880

1961 – Manfred BINGLER

CHF 950.–


Two renowned posters by the photographer Manfred Bingler.

A view over the Mont Blanc as seen from the window of the Conorado 880.

The Conorado 990 as seen from above.

Swissair, to South America by "Coronado" 990

1962 – Manfred BINGLER

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Swissair by Manfred Bingler 1964 + 1966

The photographer Manfred Bingler

Following his two posters for the Coronado, the photographer Manfred Bingler was commissioned by Swissair for a series of photographic posters.

As previous graphic designers had done, Manfred Bingler used well known iconographic symbols. The Cervin for Switzerland, the statue of a cow for India on a bright pink background, or a rising sun for the country of the rising sun, the latter was awarded by the Swiss Poster Award.

These posters rapidly became a mythical series for the company. Its 1964 edition was so successful it was reprinted in 1966.

Swissair, India

1966 – Manfred BINGLER

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Swissair, Africa

1966 – Manfred BINGLER

CHF 930.–

Swissair Europe

1964 – Manfred BINGLER

CHF 670.–

Swissair, South America

1964 – Manfred BINGLER

Sold

Swissair, Switzerland

1964 – Manfred BINGLER

Sold

Swissair Japan

1964 – Manfred BINGLER, Emil SCHULTHESS

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Swissair Middle East

1964 – Manfred BINGLER

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Swissair North America

1964 – Manfred BINGLER

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Swissair, Mediterranean

1964 – Manfred BINGLER

CHF 790.–

Swissair DC-9 / 1966

Swissair received its first DC-9-15 in 1966

Swissair McDonnell Douglas DC-9-81 MD-81

1980 – Herbert MAEDER

CHF 470.–

On this poster, the DC-9-81, registered HB-INC and delivered in February 1980, is flying over the Alps.

Swissair, DC-9 Aircraft Operation Manual, Vol 1 and 2

1990 circa – ANONYMOUS

Sold

Under the rainbow

Psychedelic Swissair

At the beginning of the 70's, this unknown artist reused the colors, codes and iconography of the psychedelic movement.

Swissair understands you best

1970 circa – Hans-Ulrich OSTERWALDER

CHF 1150.–

In this poetic poster, a heart, a sunrise, a starry sky and a rainbow are represented, alluding to biblical visions and universality.

In the second poster, an imaginary flight of birds in psychedelic colors suggests dreams of liberty.

Swissair understands you best

1970 circa – Hans-Ulrich OSTERWALDER

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Swissair Jumbo, Boeing 747 / 1971

Swissair photographic posters

1972 Swissair aerial views 1971 - 1972

Renowned Swiss photographer, Georg Gerster has worked 20 years for Swissair.

Fifty or so magnificent aerial photos taken by Georg Gerster were printed in three series of posters for the Swiss company. Emil Schulthess and Hans Frei were the graphic artists on these posters which quickly became renowned and have been sought after by many collectioners.

The first series dated from 1971 - 1972, kept the Rudolph Bircher logo with the silhouette of the plane.

» All Georg Gerster posters

Swissair USA, Freeways in Los Angeles

1971 – Georg GERSTER

CHF 710.–

Swissair, Canada, Floating timber, British Columbia

1971 – Georg GERSTER, Emil SCHULTHESS

CHF 450.–

Swissair, Brazil, Rain forest, Mato Grosso

1972 – Georg GERSTER, Emil SCHULTHESS

Sold

Swissair DC-10 / 1972

Swissair received its first DC-10 in 1972.

Swissair, DC-10

1972 circa – ANONYMOUS

CHF 650.–

The Swissair DC-10-30 HB-IHA, had three reactors with a thrusting power of 23,000 kg, and carried 237 passengers at a cruising speed of 885 km/h.

Swissair, Douglas DC-10-30

1973 – Fernand RAUSSER

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In the poster on the left, a Swissair DC-10-30 HB-IHB, delivered in February 1973, is flying over the Alps.

In the poster on the right, printed in 1983, a DC-10 painted with a brown line along its fuselage instead of red, is flying over the Dufour point.

Swissair DC-10, Nordend et Dufourspitze

1983 – Fernand RAUSSER

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THE SWISSAIR FLEET 1973

Swissair, les avions de 1931 à nos jours

1973 – Hans-Werner BOSSHARD

CHF 450.–

In 1973 and again in 1982, Swissair made two posters which depicted all of the planes that had flown for the company since Balair and Ad Astra Aero.

Numerous Swiss adolescents have pinned these posters to the walls of their bedrooms and dreamed of becoming pilots.

Swissair's fleet, die Flugzeuge der Swissair, la flotte de Swissair

1982 – Hans HARTMANN

CHF 430.–

Swissair by Georg Gerster 1979

The second series of aerial views printed in 1979.

Georg Gerster's photographs, the graphic work of Emil Schulthess and Hans Frei.

At the end of the 70's this series carried the Swissair logo in capital letters, without serif.

Swissair, West Africa, Houses and granaries : the village of Labbezanga, Mali

1979 – Georg GERSTER, Emil SCHULTHESS

CHF 400.–

Swissair, Hong Kong, Junks in Aberdeen

1979 – Georg GERSTER, Emil SCHULTHESS

CHF 550.–

Swissair, USA, salt evaporation ponds, California

1979 – Georg GERSTER, Emil SCHULTHESS

CHF 350.–

Swissair the third logo / 1979

At the end of the 70's the national company abandoned the typography of the Swissair logo with its 3 widened 'S's, as can be seen in the series by Georg Gerster from 1979 (shown above). It went back to a neutral lettering in the Helvetica style.

In 1981, on its 50th anniversary, Swissair modernized its logo with its celebrated, 'The Swiss Cross Tail fin'.

swissair logo


For the same anniversary, Swissair used the famous image of a DC-2 over the Bernina Pass designed in 1935 by Herbert Matter.









This edition from 1981 has the new logo in the left white margin. >

Swissair, Venez en Suisse par avion, Swissair 1931-1981

1981 – Herbert MATTER

CHF 1540.–

It also modified the distinctive red painted strip on its planes, which they changed to brown and black.

Swissair, Airbus A310

1988 – Hans RAUSSER

CHF 620.–


Even if this new design never lost its class, it never really caught on, probably because they abandoned the red and white colors, the symbols of the Swiss flag and the national company.


Swissair Fokker 100

1988 – SWISSAIR ADVERTISING

CHF 400.–

Swissair, Dressed to fly

1985 circa – ANONYMOUS

Sold


In 1991 Swissair decided to drop the brown and black design.

Henceforth, a much bigger 'Swissair' in red appeared on the white fuselage and the company also returned to its historic colors.

Swissair to Switzerland

Swissair Atlanta OK / 1987

What do you have to say about Swissair's new route to Atlanta? OK

Swissair, What do you have to say about Swissair's new route to Atlanta? OK

1987 – Beat KELLER

CHF 700.–


OK as fresh as a Coke !

A brilliantly refreshing poster for the opening of the Zurich - Atlanta line. Coca-Cola's company seat is in this American city.
This poster was granted the Swiss Poster Award in 1987.

Fly swissair To wintersport

Swissair MD-11 / 1991

Swissair MD-11-F HB-IWA put in to service in March 1991.

Swissair MD-11

1991 – SWISSAIR ADVERTISING

Sold


Manuel de vol du MD-11. >

< In this photo, the plane still has the brown and black line along the fuselage.


The MD-11 flight manuel. >

Swissair, MD-11 Aircraft Operation Manual, Vol 1 and 2

1991 circa – ANONYMOUS

Sold

Swissair by Gerster 1996

Swissair, The last campaigns

In 1998 Swissair produced a campaign which was out of the ordinary. It presented a series of photographic portraits which asked quasi-existential questions such as, 'I wonder what makes a tradition become a trend?''I wonder if that is going to become a habit?' Or, 'I wonder how they grow seedless grapes?'

The answers were given by the company, 'Swissair, let us do it', and 'Swissair we care.'

'I wonder' if this brilliant campaign, which plays on the individual, but also the universal beyond representing different races and cultures, was perhaps in its questioning, a premonition of future turbulence.

Swissair, Je me demande si cela ne va pas devenir une habitude

1998 – ANONYMOUS

CHF 230.–

Swissair, I wonder what makes a tradition become a trend

1998 – ANONYMOUS

CHF 230.–

Swissair, I wonder how they grow seedless grapes

1998 – ANONYMOUS

CHF 230.–

The swissair grounding / 2001

Swissair, Boston

2000 – ANONYMOUS

CHF 290.–


In 2000 and 2001, it seems the price was the most important thing.

Competition was strong.

The terrorist attacks of the 11th of September 2001 on the World Trade Center in New York plunged aerial transport into a crisis that was without precedent.



Swissair, asia

2001 – ANONYMOUS

Sold

The 2nd of October 2001, the whole of the Swissair fleet was grounded, the fault of a bank that refused credit.

It's the Swissair Grounding!

With no more credit to pay for fuel, 400 flights were cancelled and 40,000 passengers were stranded around the world.

Stupor reigned and it became a real national drama. How could a jewel in the crown end in bankruptcy?

After 6 months of reprieve, due to a billion Franc credit from the Swiss government, Swissair was finally made bankrupt in March 2002.

The ex-direction of Crossair recreated the company 'Swiss', which fell into the hands of Lufthansa like a ripe fruit soon afterwards.

Since this episode, one of the most dramatic in the history of the Swiss economy, nostalgia for this golden period has never ceased to grow.

Vintage Swissair


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