This lot presents an original 1945 wall calendar issued by the Pennsylvania Railroad, displaying the famous illustration ‘Forward’ by Dean Cornwell. The vibrant artwork features a powerful Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive in the foreground, juxtaposed with a vision of industrial and agricultural progress and patriotic iconography, including waving American flags and marching soldiers. This calendar was distributed in Columbus, Ohio, as indicated by the attached label.
Measuring approximately 28 inches in height and 22 inches in width, the calendar retains the January 1945 page and an introductory message from the railroad company, linking it to World War II home-front efforts. This piece is a strong example of mid-century American commercial art and railroad history, appealing to collectors of transportation memorabilia, historic ephemera, and wartime Americana.
The artwork is signed by Dean Cornwell, a renowned American illustrator, and copyrighted ‘Pennsylvania Railroad 1943,’ establishing its period authenticity and provenance.