Traveling to Scandinavia in 1937 would have looked quite different aboard a Viking longboat. American tourists unfamiliar with Scandinavian (Norway, Sweden and Denmark) cultures were enticed by romanticized legends of the famed seafarers and barbarians. The direction of the vessel and the pointing Viking suggests a journey from the West. Benjamin Blessum’s poster was printed three years prior to the German Occupation of Norway and Denmark in April, Sweden was one of 8 European countries that remained neutral during WWII, but was known to support the Axis and Allied Powers. Finland, however, fought with both sides.
Benjamin Blessum’s poster was printed three years prior to
the German Occupation of Norway and Denmark in April, 1940. Sweden was one of 8 European countries that remained neutral during WWII, but was known to support the Axis and Allied Powers. Finland, however, fought with both sides.
