I was lucky to grow up in the 1990s, where I attended public school and got to experience the magic of the Scholastic Book Fair.
This was an annual event where a traveling book sale would come by your school for a few days. Kids were given full color brochures printed on very thin paper of books that they could buy. This resulted in children like myself going home and begging their parents for money for the book fair.
In addition to books, the Scholastic Book Fair also sold bookmarks, calendars, and posters. There were posters of exotic cars of the day such as the Lamborghini Countach, Ferrari F40, and Lotus Esprit.
One poster that I recall seeing was called “Justification for Higher Education” and is the subject of this post.
The meaning of the poster is that if you want the finer things in life (a beautiful house and a fleet of sports cars), you need to pursure a college degree. Getting that higher education (beyond high school) is the key to achieving your trophies of success.
In this post, I will try to create a guide to the different versions of the poster over the years.
Justification Poster – 1986 Version
The earliest known version of the poster I was able to find was copyrighted in 1986 by Burns-Camarena Enterprises, Inc. of Boulder, CO.
This version features a luxurious two-story red brick mansion. The house is shown illuminated at night with glowing windows. In the background, a purple sky is visible beyond a dramatic mountain range.
In the foreground, a five-bay detached garage building is visible. The front end of five high end sports cars are visible, one car in each bay:
- Ferrari 365 GT4 (Red)
- Jaguar XJS
- BMW Alpina B7 Turbo
- Lotus Esprit
- Porsche 911 Supersport
Justification Poster – 1988 Version
An updated version was created in 1988 by Marty Peterson and published by Burns-Camarena Enterprises. It measures 24 inches by 36 inches.
This version is a photo illustration of a seaside house mansion with a garage full of exotic cars.
In the foreground, a detached 5-car garage can be seen with a the following cars:
- Ferrari 512 BBi (Red)
- Porsche 928 GT Coupe (White)
- Mercedes-Benz W126 Sedan (White)
- 1984-1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4 Convertible with Body Kit (White)
- BMW E30 Convertible (Red)
In the background, a Santa Barbara-style (or Spanish Colonial Revival) mansion with terra cotta tile roof can be seen on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
I always imagined the scene was somewhere in California because of the palm trees. Though I suppose that everyone in the Eastern United States imagined it was somewhere in Florida.
The most common is a plain paper printed version. There was also a light-up version produced by ElectricArtGallery.com. The plug-in version had small lights in the location of the tail lights for the cars. When plugged in, it would look like the brake lights of each car were on. Another variation has a yellow neon light simulating the evening sunset.
Justification Poster – 2000s Version
The famous poster received another redesign sometime in the 2000s. I was not able to find the artist or publisher for this version.
The poster stays true to its roots, featuring a 5-car detached garage in the foreground and a contemporary style house with 3-car attached garage in the background. The composition is very similar to the 1988 version with the house on a cliff overlooking the ocean at sunset and palm trees. The tagline “Justification for Higher Education” is significantly smaller and less visible in this version.
This version of the poster has a sixth car in the driveway – what appears to be an orange Lamborghini with vertical doors open.
- Ferrari 360 Spider (red)
- Porsche 996 Turbo (yellow)
- Mercedes-Benz (silver)
- Dodge Viper (white)
- BMW Z8 Roadster (red)
Justification Poster – 2010s Version
The Justification for Higher Education poster received another update sometime in the 2010s. The creator is listed as Pyramid America, a manufacturer, distributor, and publisher located in Mount Vernon, NY. This is the most ridiculous version yet.
It has the signature five car detached garage in the foreground. In the background, an ultra-modern two story mansion with flat roof and large windows is perched on a cliff and flanked by palm trees. The sunset sky has wild, storm-like clouds that are over saturated with color.
This version has what appears to be a Bell 206L helicopter in the front yard. Off to the right, a luxury yacht is tied to a dock, in keeping with the times. This edition does not have a foot path or driveway from the garage building to the main house.
- Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (?)
- Lamborghini Reventon Coupe
- Blue Convertible (unknown)
- Porsche 997 (?)
- Saleen S7
What do you think about this series of posters? Did you have one, or do you still have one? Can you help identify any of the cars that I have missed? Post a comment to share your thoughts below!
I had the 1988 version without the lights. I’ve been chasing the dream of owning that house and garage to this day. My old poster I bought long ago still is very special to me. It reminds me of my youth and when I thought I had all the time in the world to accomplish my dreams.
Hi RH- did my heart good to read your comment, I created both the ’86 and ’88 versions. If you’re ever near Colorado I can sign that poster for you if you’d like! I’m actually gearing up to create an entirely new version, so maybe you can have copies of both the old and the new on your wall- Marty
Its great to speak with the creator! May I ask where did you get the imagine for the house? I can’t wait to see the new version!
Hi Trevor- man it was great stumbling onto your “guide to the Justification posters”, and I think you’re pretty accurate on the points made… also… I AM the artist that created these first 2 posters!
If you’d like to chat sometime about the creation process and crazy reason they had me do it in the first place (it was for a class project at C.U. in Boulder!) let me know. I’m actually gearing up to create an entirely new version to blow these “wanna-be clipart versions” away. LOL
Have a great one Trevor-
Marty “Mooz” Petersen
Hi Marty,
Thanks for reaching out! I have wanted to own the 1988 poster for many years. When they do pop up on eBay, they sell for $50 to $150, and a lighted version recently sold for $350. They are quite collectible now! Thank you for sharing your insight, and I can’t wait to see the new version! Best regards, Trevor
I had the 1986 first edition poster (in black frame under plexiglass) in my apartment bedroom at IL State University my Senior year of college (‘86-‘87), and while I knew it was created to be humorous, I used it to motivate. I was able to work dirty/high paying summer jobs to pay for college allowing me to be free of loans. Graduated in spring ‘87, had a commercial insurance underwriting job lined up the week following graduation. Worked for the same company for 38 years, invested heavily in company stock and 401k mutual funds, lived within my means, and now retired at 60, have the big house (too big now that kids are grown and married), have 3 luxury cars in the garage, a 42’ yacht, and all are paid off and have all the $ I would ever need for retired years. But more glad to have best friends (still) from HS & college years, a great wife, great kids & grand kids and my health. Plan to enjoy these next 20 years to the fullest. The posters message worked for me, but I know I am the minority. Hard work, high saving, and staying constantly invested in the markets was the key… and still is. Thanks for the inspiration (and humor!). 👍🏻
Any idea who created the 2010S version? I have some very odd information/questions about it…
The manufacturer is listed as Pyramid America of Mount Vernon, NY. It does not say the designer’s name, but their website has a list of email contacts. You can try getting a hold of them that way.
This is so cool to see. I have the 1988 version still on my wall. In high school shop class, I created an oak frame, glued the poster to it, then epoxied over it and created a clock out of it. My kids think its the coolest clock around.
Hi. I have the 1988 version but can’t seem to locate the plug. Can you tell me the voltage or where I can purchase? I am 62 and got it as a gift for my 30th birthday. It is now hanging in my 24 year old son’s room. It would be nice to see it lit again.
This post is great. I’ve had the 1988 version for as long as I can remember (I’ll be 30 soon). Had it somewhere from my dad’s storage, I’ve always wondered where it came from. He must’ve gotten it framed/put on a solid board because I never knew it was a poster format.
Super cool that the designer is here!
I have my original poster that I bought back in 1989. It’s still in the wrapper with cardboard backing. I hung it by setting it on thumbtacks and then two just above it. Never poked a hole in the poster, plastic or cardboard.
What you mention as an unknown red roadster is a BMW Z8. The white Mercedes appears to be a W126 sedan. The yellow Porsche is a Porsche 996 Turbo.
Thank you! I have updated the post to include your info. Much appreciated!
Hi Trevor Hilda I’ve had the 1988 version of the justification for higher education twice the first one was stolen out of my ex-husband’s garage; so the friend that had sold me that one, purchased me the 1988 version: In the background, a Santa Barbara-style (or Spanish Colonial Revival) mansion with terra cotta tile roof can be seen on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
I would love to know if the poster is of a Priperty in an actual location, and if so, where?
Hello Trevor/ALL: I have the 1988 version and am considering selling it. Great item, but no longer have room to display it. Central PA. Are you interested?
I want to use two of your posters in a textbook on financial education for juniors and seniors in high school. How do I get in touch to discuss?