Original 1953 Stockholm 700 Years Poster by Curt Blixt, Swedish Vintage Travel Poster

Original Stockholm 700 Years poster by Curt Blixt, an authentic Swedish jubilee and travel poster published in 1953.

This is one of those posters that does far more than advertise a place. Created for Stockholm’s 700th anniversary celebrations, it turns the city into a radiant figure rising above the skyline and water, transforming the capital into a festive, almost theatrical vision of itself. Boats, bridges, flags, landmarks, and waterfront life gather below, while the crowned blonde figure — Blixt’s winning image of the city — gives the whole design a sense of elegance, charm, and occasion.

What makes the poster so appealing is the balance it strikes between graphic simplicity and warmth. The luminous yellow gown against the cool blue ground is instantly eye-catching, but the design also has a lightness and sophistication that feels distinctly Scandinavian. The theatre mask and trumpet add a celebratory note, suggesting music, performance, and civic festivity, while the cityscape below grounds the image in Stockholm itself.

There is also a wonderful story behind it. Stockholm technically turned 700 in 1952, but the city postponed the jubilee celebrations until 1953 so as not to compete with the Helsinki Olympics for visitors. A public poster competition was held for the event, and Curt Blixt’s design was chosen as the winner. That gives this poster a real place in Stockholm’s visual history: it was not simply decorative publicity, but the official image of a major civic celebration. 

This is an authentic original vintage poster, not a reproduction.

Artist: Curt Blixt Title: Stockholm 700 Years Date: 1953 Printer: Esselte Reklam AB, Stockholm Country: Sweden Medium: Original printed poster on paper Size: 99 x 62 cm Condition: Excellent overall condition, recently professionally linen backed Framing: Unframed 

A highly displayable original for collectors of Scandinavian posters, Swedish travel imagery, mid-century graphic design, and decorative works on paper with real character and charm.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description. Packed with great care and shipped fully insured.