Auctions | October 10, 2024

Leslie Ragan Calendar Art for the New York Central Railway to Auction

Swann Galleries

Leslie Ragan, The New 20th Century Limited / New York Central System, 1939. Estimate $12,000 - $18,000.

Posters designed by Leslie Ragan for the New York Central Lines railroad come up for sale at Swann Galleries today at its Rare & Important Travel Posters auction.

Ragan designed one of the most recognizable American train posters, an Art Deco image of The New 20th Century Limited, the Henry Dreyfuss-designed train which has an estimate of $12,000 - $18,000.

He was bon in Iowa and studied in the Cumming School of Art in Des Moines and the Art Institute of Chicago, served in the Air Force in World War I, then taught at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts before embarking on the production of posters for railroads and heavy industries. In addition to his poster work, Ragan designed ten calendar backs for the Railroad between 1942 and 1953.

The auction also features the work of other well known travel posters designers including Bern Hill, Roger Broders, Gert Sellheim, Otto Baumberger, Hugo d’Alesi, Mario Borgoni, Mark von Arenburg, and Stan Galli.

Leslie Ragan’s The Highlights of the Hudson: (left) Calendar back, 1944. Sold August 2012 for $510; (right) Original maquette, circa 1943. At auction October 10, 2024. Estimate $8,000 - $12,000.
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Swann Galleries

Leslie Ragan’s The Highlights of the Hudson: (left) Calendar back, 1944. Sold August 2012 for $510; (right) Original maquette, circa 1943. At auction October 10, 2024. Estimate $8,000 -  $12,000.

Leslie Ragan’s The Highlights of the Hudson: (left) Calendar back, 1944. Sold August 2012 for $510; (right) Original maquette, circa 1943. At auction October 10, 2024. Estimate $8,000 - $12,000.
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Swann Galleries

Leslie Ragan’s The Highlights of the Hudson: (left) Calendar back, 1944. Sold August 2012 for $510; (right) Original maquette, circa 1943. At auction October 10, 2024. Estimate $8,000 -  $12,000.

(left) Joseph Feher, Southern California/United Air Lines, circa 1950. Estimate $1,000 - $1,500; (right) Roger Broders, Sur La Cote D'Azur, circa 1931. Estimate $5,000 - $7,500.
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Swann Galleries

(left) Joseph Feher, Southern California/United Air Lines, circa 1950. Estimate $1,000 - $1,500; (right) Roger Broders, Sur La Cote D'Azur, circa 1931. Estimate $5,000 - $7,500.

(left) Roger Soubie, Vichy/La Reine Des Villes D'eaux, 1928. Estimate $2,000 - $3,000; (right) A. Sauroy, Touraine/Golf-Links, circa 1900. Estimate $3,000 - $4,000.
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Swan Galleries

(left) Roger Soubie, Vichy/La Reine Des Villes D'eaux, 1928. Estimate $2,000 - $3,000; (right) A. Sauroy, Touraine/Golf-Links, circa 1900. Estimate $3,000 - $4,000.

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