A unique collection of original artworks for an Air India ad campaign

A collection of the original artworks created by Italian artist Giorgio Trevisan for Air-India International’s celebrated "Route of the Magic Carpet" campaign, which promoted the airline’s rapidly expanding international network in the mid-to-late 1950s. It includes a highly decorative world map covered in vignettes (as published as a pocket timetable in the late 1950s, with Air-India's routes overlaid and a legend in the blank cartouche) and seven designs for the airline’s monthly timetables. 'The Route of the Magic Carpet' slogan was introduced following India’s first international service in 1948, when Tata Airlines evolved into Air-India International. After nationalisation in 1953, the company became India’s flagship international carrier, operating Lockheed Super Constellations that symbolised a newly independent nation taking its place on the world stage. Giorgio Trevisan (1934-1924), trained in Milan and began his career illustrating comics and magazines for European publishers before establishing himself as a leading commercial artist. His collaboration with Air India in the 1950s helped define the airlines’ visual identity. As Trevisan only died last year, it is possible these came from his personal collection.