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

  1. RA_OUL says:

    Super 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.

  2. Vegard says:

    I think I can spot his 1/10th indian blood there somewhere, so then I guess it’s forgiven just this once.

  3. Brad C says:

    Hmmmm…perhaps the Canada poster is Canada as filtered through a 1970’s Japanese eye.

  4. Ron says:

    Sigh! Yes, as a proud Canuck, the poster is Dated! As usual, there is the idiotic iconic image of the Cop in red too! YEESH!

  5. Shelby says:

    The photo looks like it was shot through a window as well.

    I’m all about the “EXPO 70” with the rounded mark.

  6. Scott says:

    I 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.

  7. Scott says:

    shelby-
    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.

  8. Crompton says:

    Scott–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!

  9. Kevin says:

    Well, shooting through glass could accidently provide a whole new method of experimenting. Sparked my interest at least. Aside from that, luvin all the posters!

  10. Trog says:

    I’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”

  11. Trog says:

    I’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…

  12. NAVIS says:

    All I have to say is that baby in the first poster is in full on NOM mode.

    NOOOOOOM NOM NOM NOM.

  13. Each 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.

  14. peter says:

    Hey, 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.

  15. thehalvo says:

    the second one with the rounded mark is quite beautiful.

  16. Dave says:

    Hey 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?

  17. ktee says:

    Are 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.

  18. ktee says:

    P.S. I have some stamps for Expo70.
    I can send pictures of them if you’re interested.

  19. I am not capable of view this website properly on saffari I think there is a drawback

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