Nantucket Travel Poster by John Held, Jr., 1920s

Nantucket by John Held, Jr. captures the breezy allure of this storied New England island in a buoyant Art Deco idiom. Held’s poster distills the spirit of seaside escape: crisp, geometric cottages stepping down toward a glittering Atlantic, rhythmic swells of stylized waves, and a lively interplay of greens, blues, and confident red accents. Conceived in the exuberant visual language of early twentieth-century travel advertising, it’s both a celebration of Nantucket’s maritime charm and a window onto the golden age of leisure.

This listing is for a museum-quality fine art print from The Unique Maps Co., carefully restored from the vintage original and produced with archival pigment inks. Choose between acid-free, heavyweight archival paper or luxurious artist’s cotton canvas. Multiple sizes are available, along with optional framing, border/matting choices, and tasteful personalization—add travel dates, a family name, or a short dedication to create a one-of-a-kind heirloom.

John Held, Jr. was one of America’s defining illustrators of the Jazz Age—a cartoonist, printmaker, and cover artist whose sharp silhouettes and kinetic lines became visual shorthand for the 1920s. His work for magazines such as The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and Life helped codify a fresh, modern look: clean outlines, flat color planes, and a flair for theatrical geometry. In this Nantucket view, Held channels that same verve into the language of travel promotion, making the island feel at once sophisticated and joyfully accessible.

The subject itself is steeped in history. Nantucket—set off the coast of Massachusetts—grew from a whaling hub into a beloved retreat known for weathered shingles, harbor life, and luminous Atlantic horizons. Posters like this arose alongside the boom in American tourism, when improved rail and steamship links invited city-dwellers to seek sea air and summer light. As an artifact of that era, the image blends regional identity with the optimism of early modern travel.

Design lovers will appreciate how Held orchestrates the composition: layered rows of houses built from measured rectangles and triangles, softened by organic swoops of surf and foliage. The palette leans cool—greens and blues predominate—punctuated by reds and sunny yellows that guide the eye through rooftops, shoreline, and sea. Bold lithographic outlines keep forms legible at a distance, while flat, saturated fields of color create a poster-bright impact that suits coastal, nautical, Art Deco, or mid-century interiors.

Whether commemorating a honeymoon, a family vacation, or a lifelong love of the New England coast, this Nantucket print makes a thoughtful gift. It’s perfect for housewarmings, weddings, Mother’s or Father’s Day, Christmas, or as a welcome-home present for someone who has just returned from the island.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.