"The Third International Near East Fair", a color lithographic poster for a commercial fair that took place in Tel-Aviv and exhibited locally produced goods. Jerusalem: "Graphica" press, 1926. Design: Aryeh Elhanani.
Color lithographic poster designed by Aryeh Elhanani – an invitation to the third International Near East Fair that took place in Tel-Aviv, on September 23 – October 17, 1926. The poster is made of two parts attached to each other. The illustration on the left part of the poster depicts a water tower surrounded by houses (the Neveh Sha'anan neighborhood in Tel-Aviv?) against the background of the sea, where Jewish-owned ships are sailing. In the front there are hills with orange trees. The illustration on the right part of the poster depicts a farmer carrying fruit.
An English version of the poster is known, with a third part – an illustration of two Jews, one in traditional attire and the other in modern dress. This part is possibly missing from the poster before us (we weren't able to find another copy of the Hebrew version for comparison).
During the 1920s, several commercial exhibitions and fairs presenting and selling locally produced goods were held in Tel-Aviv, including three fairs titled The Palestine and Near East Fair (1925-1926). The fairs were mostly organized by the "Mischar VeTa'asiyah" (Commerce and Industry) Company and preceded the Levant Fair that opened in 1932.
Aryeh Elhanani (1898-1985) was an Israeli architect, artist and graphic designer, winner of the Israel Prize in the field of architecture in 1973 for his "contribution to shaping Israeli culture". He is known for planning the Levant Fair site at the Tel-Aviv Port (and the "Flying Camel" logo) and designing the Palmach and the IDF logos.
74X67 cm (two parts mounted to each other). Good condition. Several stains. Tears and minor blemishes to edges. Linen-backed for display and preservation.