| Creator | Hugo Laubi |
| Printing year | 1944 |
| Sheet size (cm) | 101×64 |
| Printing technique | Lithograph |
| Printer | Fretz Bros. |
| Condition | A |
| Asking price | 3'100 CHF |
| Categories | Grisons, Switzerland, Winter Posters |
An Original Vintage Travel Poster commissioned by the St. Moritz Tourist Office in 1944 from Hugo Laubi, featuring a folkloric scene in which a couple (perhaps a bride and groom?) is sitting on a horse-drawn sleigh – so far, so good.
What is unusual, however, is that there is an almost identical version of this poster (see below), in which only the characteristic lettering and the sun logo appear to be placed differently. However, a careful comparison of the drawing and the application of color clearly shows that these are not the same stones and therefore cannot be versions created at the same time. In addition, the imprint on this copy is in English, while on the other it is in German.
Which version was printed first and why there are two such similar versions – we have no idea. The most plausible assumption seems to be that the aim was to correctly depict the mountain backdrop, after Laubi had initially drawn a fantasy view, which the spa association officials had not noticed – but which they could not leave as it was once it had been pointed out to them. And since they had already gone to the trouble of printing a corrected version, they also placed the lettering and logo comme il faut (i.e., diagonally rather than horizontally). This would mean that this version was the second, but correct one. And that there was a month rather than a year between the first and second versions.
But as said, it’s all just speculation. Perhaps an expert on the local geography might be willing to comment on the mountain backdrop…?