New Mexico and Arizona Travel Poster: Land of History and Mystery by The Willmarths, 1925

New Mexico and Arizona Rockies—Land of History and Mystery—by The Willmarths (1925) is a quintessential Art Deco travel poster from the American Southwest. Conceived in the interwar golden age of rail, it blends modernist design with the romance of discovery, inviting viewers to explore the dramatic Rockies and desert mesas by train. The composition pairs bold, geometric mountains with stylized figures and pottery, evoking the region’s deep cultural roots and the railroads’ promise of effortless adventure.

This listing is for a museum-quality fine art print, crafted by The Unique Maps Co. Choose archival, acid-free paper with a velvety matte finish or artist’s cotton canvas with a subtle weave that suits vintage posters perfectly. Available in a range of sizes, with optional custom framing and matting to fit your space. We also offer personalization—add a date, location, or dedication on a discreet title plate or border—along with bespoke color-matched borders and layout tweaks to harmonize with your interior.

About the artists: The Willmarths were the collaborative moniker of brothers Kenneth and William Willmarth, whose careers flourished in the western United States during the peak of railroad advertising. By the early 1930s they were producing standout art for the Union Pacific and other lines, celebrated for vivid, streamlined designs that helped define the visual language of American travel posters. Their portfolio would later encompass iconic resort imagery and spirited wartime graphics, but their Western scenes remain enduring favorites among collectors.

Why this subject endures: The New Mexico–Arizona corridor is a confluence of monumental geology and layered history, and this poster distills that allure into a single, striking statement. The tagline “Land of History and Mystery” taps the era’s fascination with Indigenous traditions and ancient landscapes, while the “Travel by Train” call-to-action channels the optimism of modern transport. It’s a snapshot of the moment when sleek locomotives opened the Southwest to a generation of curious travelers.

Design you can feel across the room: The palette leans into warm, sun-baked oranges and reds balanced by cool purples in the mountain shadows, with accents of desert greens and sky blues for contrast. Flat, smooth color fields and clean, geometric forms create crisp silhouettes—angular peaks against rounded pottery and stylized figures—producing a rhythmic, layered composition that reads clearly from a distance. This harmony of shape and hue is classic Art Deco: glamorous yet restrained, decorative yet purposeful. Hung in an entryway, office, or living room, it becomes a radiant focal point and an instant conversation starter for anyone who loves the Southwest, rail history, or vintage design.

Gift-ready and meaningful: This fine art print makes a thoughtful present for travelers returning from Santa Fe, Sedona, Flagstaff, or the broader Four Corners; for railroad enthusiasts; and for fans of Art Deco interiors. It’s perfect for Christmas, birthdays, housewarmings, and Mother’s or Father’s Day—or as a nostalgic keepsake for anyone who has fallen under the spell of the desert’s history and mystery.

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.