Wowee kazowee, it has been nearly a year since my last POSTERAMA installment. Today I am presenting two posters from my collection. Have I mentioned that I love Disneyland attraction posters?? ("Only about a zillion times, Major Pepperidge!")
First up is this very nice Rocket Jets poster. The Rocket Jets replaced the old Astro Jets when "New Tomorrowland" opened in 1967 - and didn't they look amazing way up on top of the Peoplemover load platform! The style is similar to the Peoplemover poster, I suspect it was designed by the same artist. I love that logo, with the upward-pointing arrow! So 1960's. The poster isn't especially rare, but I am mighty happy to have it.
Back in 1957 (a full decade before the Rocket Jets), a poster was made for the brand-new Viewliner. This one is relatively scarce, which is why I had to settle for this example that is not in the greatest condition But what are a few wrinkles and edge tears? I love that the li'l Viewliner is depicted as it passed above the Motor Boat Cruise - another gone-but-not-forgotten attraction.
Major-
ReplyDeleteAlways happy to see any attraction poster images. The Viewliner - talk about scarce-!
Thanks, Major.
I love the upward-pointing red arrow too. Even the circular sign at the gantry-lift used the same font style including the red upward arrow.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen the Viewliner poster before. Was it actually displayed in the park? I like that the Motor Boat Cruise makes an appearance in it, as I've never seen it poster form either.
Even before the "Disneyland '59" expansion they were layering attractions with the Viewliner passing over the Motor Boat Cruise waterways. Nice.
These are great. Thank, Major.
Man, that R + T arrow mirroring the path of the rockets is absolutely brilliant. It tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the ride in a nutshell. The two faces looking in different directions at the great view from the rocket fill in the rest. Simple, elegant, and informative. Love it.
ReplyDeleteLove the Viewliner. To think Bob Gurr cobbled the locomotive together out of 2 junkyard Oldsmobiles! Too bad it didn't survive longer but then we wouldn't have the Monorail. Love the rare looks, thanks Major.
ReplyDeleteI've saved every poster image you've put up. Love them all. How do you find these posters? I'd love to find a Tiki Room poster for my niece.
ReplyDeleteThese are great. Attraction posters depict the essence of the ride like nothing else can, eliminating everything but the purest and best parts: motion, color and fun.
ReplyDeleteThe typeface on the Rocket Jets poster reminds me of the titles in that movie "Catch Me If You Can"
I know a couple of collectors who would kill for the Viewliner Poster. Nice image...great!
ReplyDelete-Matterhorn
Thanks Major --that's the first time I've seen the Viewliner poster. The folks enjoying themselves in the motorboat would look stylish today, right down to the shades; and I love the friendly wave you see in these early posters, also in those guidebook thumbnail sketches which described the attractions.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. Great post
ReplyDeleteOdd, I've never seen a Viewliner Poster - anywhere... Except here on April 1st?
Yeah I'm going to call April Fools on the Viewliner poster also. Great job though.
ReplyDeleteNo, it can't be! My short-lived dream of owning a Viewliner attraction poster has been shattered!
ReplyDeleteWow....Viewliner...never seen one of THOSE before. Way cool Major.
ReplyDeleteOhwhatagoofiam,
ReplyDeleteI'll just keep sayin' it over and over. You got me on that one.
Gems!!!
ReplyDeleteSome real posters are available as print on demand in the parks (e.g. Disney Gallery on Main Street). For the person seeking the Tiki Room one, that may be the way to go. They've also offered smaller posters and current attractions are typically available.
ReplyDeleteJames
I'm leaning towards the April 1 explanation on this one too, since I think that the the Motor Boat Cruise opened in 59, with the Monorail, Matterhorn, Submarine Voyage, and Junior Autopia.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful artwork on the Viewliner poster, Major! You need to sell prints and silk screened T-shirts of that one.....seriously!!! Happy April Fool's Day to ya!
ReplyDeleteNanook, yes, that is a scarce one!
ReplyDeleteK. Martinez, it's surprising how a simple graphical device like that can resonate if it is done well (which that one was). Are you sure you've never seen the Viewliner poster before? It must have appeared in books or something.
Melissa, the Rocket Jets has never been one of the "more desirable" posters among collectors. Maybe because it's not rare, but it IS awesome to look at.
Alonzo, I still wonder about a comment that I had on GDB years ago that said that the Viewliner remained backstage for many years after 1959.
MRaymond, I'm glad you ilked these! Original silkscreened posters are hard to come by these days, and you usually need to rely on ebay or Profiles in History auctions. And they have gone up considerably over the years, a genuine Tiki Room poster would fetch $5000 and up. I'm not sure if Disneyland still offers "print on demand" copies in various sizes any more, if so, that would be the way to go.
Tom, yes, the type definitely has that cool 1960's vibe. Very "Saul Bass".
Matterhorn, these don't come up very often!
Raimundo, I haven't looked at my old guidebooks in so long (they're all in a box somewhere), I need to dig them out and look at 'em again.
Vintage Disneyland Tickets and Eric Scales, I have no idea what either of you are talking about!
Matt, anything with the Viewliner is cool!
Alonzo, what do you mean I got you? I don't understand.
Nancy, Thanks!
keeline, thanks for the info, I wonder if you can find out what is still offered via the interwebs?
bigbrian-nc.com, the Motor Boat Cruise opened in 1957, even though it was featured on a number of signs and artwork when the other big 1959 rides debuted.
TokyoMagic!, I sure wish I knew what all of you readers were talking about. How can I sell prints of a poster that was designed in 1957 without the Disney lawyers being all over me?