Expo’70 Ephemera
A nice collection of posters and tickets from the Expo’70 in Osaka Japan. I’ve been looking for proper scans of these posters forever but I settled on these corrected versions from this flickr set. Anybody know where you can score some copies of these? I found this one on eBay, but not really the style I’m looking for. Nothing I love more than 70’s phtography blow-up with bold Helvetica over top. It’s always a little sad to see stuff like this and realize how rare it is; it’s a shame there isn’t some sort of high res vintage poster repository.
On a side note, Canada: you always have great design instincts but I have to say, you really blew it on this one. Winking Caucasian Indian? Also, what’s with the attempted Geddy Lee up in the corner? Couldn’t you get the actual guy to be in your poster? But I guess not all 70’s Canadian bassists were in Rush. You saved it with the type lockup on the bottom though.
Images via Sanue and Lilakanarie
20 Comments Leave A Comment
RA_OUL says:
May 12, 2010 at 2:34 amSuper great post. I am really fond of the second poster and the top ticket. The illustrations are remarkable and express an innovative style. Both have a science fiction feel to them.
Vegard says:
May 12, 2010 at 3:10 amI think I can spot his 1/10th indian blood there somewhere, so then I guess it’s forgiven just this once.
Brad C says:
May 12, 2010 at 4:58 amHmmmm…perhaps the Canada poster is Canada as filtered through a 1970’s Japanese eye.
Ron says:
May 12, 2010 at 8:22 amSigh! Yes, as a proud Canuck, the poster is Dated! As usual, there is the idiotic iconic image of the Cop in red too! YEESH!
Shelby says:
May 12, 2010 at 9:02 amThe photo looks like it was shot through a window as well.
I’m all about the “EXPO 70” with the rounded mark.
Scott says:
May 12, 2010 at 10:20 amI really want that first poster. If I was a kid and saw that I’d feel like I missed out on something huge and would be super-pissed at my parents.
Scott says:
May 12, 2010 at 10:29 amshelby-
they’re all from pics framed posters behind glass, and were all (unfortunately) taken at angles.
vegard-
ha, ok… I’ll take your word for it.
Crompton says:
May 12, 2010 at 11:07 amScott–on behalf of my country [Canada] apologize for the shortcomings here–although I wasn’t born yet I’m guessing there may still have been a general foggy hangover from Expo ’67 that may or may not have affected judgement. Nice post!
Kevin says:
May 12, 2010 at 12:03 pmWell, shooting through glass could accidently provide a whole new method of experimenting. Sparked my interest at least. Aside from that, luvin all the posters!
Trog says:
May 12, 2010 at 5:02 pmI’ve always thought most older posters/designs with people in them looked extremely campy and dated, but the ones incorporating abstract objects never really lost their flavor or appeal, to which is these posters are kinda of proof-in-point.
For those wondering, the text 「カナダと日本万国博」 means “The Canada and Japan World’s Fair” and is pronounced “kanada to nihon bankokuhaku”
Trog says:
May 12, 2010 at 5:03 pmI’ve always thought most older posters/designs with people in them looked extremely campy and dated, but the ones incorporating abstract objects never really lost their flavor or appeal, to which is these posters are kinda of proof-in-point.
For those wondering, the text 「カナダと日本万国博」 means “The Canada and Japan World’s Fair” and is pronounced “kanada to nihon bankokuhaku”. Just a sidenote…
NAVIS says:
May 12, 2010 at 7:40 pmAll I have to say is that baby in the first poster is in full on NOM mode.
NOOOOOOM NOM NOM NOM.
Daniel Carvalho says:
May 13, 2010 at 6:36 amEach poster contains pretty cool elements, but as a whole I wouldn’t classify them as awesome. That first ticket reads as awesome on my awesometer though.
Those Expo 67 post card / photographs whatever still win.
peter says:
May 14, 2010 at 7:25 amHey, before Canada was actually “diverse” we had to pretend to be. White people pretending to be other ethnicities used to be a national passtime (sometimes called Halloween) until it fell out of favour and was replaced with “celebrating our differences” pfft.
thehalvo says:
May 16, 2010 at 12:06 pmthe second one with the rounded mark is quite beautiful.
Dave says:
June 19, 2010 at 7:57 pmHey Scott…
I was searching for antique engravings, and found this site and thought there might be something here you might find helpful or interesting…
http://www.picturethiscollection.com
apparently this company is in Hong Kong. Click on products, then choose the relative sub-menu…
When is your next LA gig by the way?
Anything coming up?
ktee says:
September 2, 2010 at 8:08 amAre you still looking for them? How about here?
http://mozubooks.com/?pid=21087806
http://mozubooks.com/?pid=21087743
http://mozubooks.com/?pid=21087681
I’m not sure if they still keep them or not.
It says 25,000yen each, in mint condition, B1 Size.
ktee says:
September 2, 2010 at 8:18 amP.S. I have some stamps for Expo70.
I can send pictures of them if you’re interested.
Jerrold Giles says:
January 10, 2011 at 11:58 amI am not capable of view this website properly on saffari I think there is a drawback