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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Sorry, It's Sold

Miss Ridgid Tools

Artist:George Petty
Date:1952
Medium:Mixed Media on illustration board
Dimensions:Sight size 14" x 17" Framed 25" x 27"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Calendar Art for Ridgid Tools - September 1952
Price: Sold
Full view of mixed media illustration
Full view of mixed media illustration

 

Artist's signature upper left
Artist’s signature upper left

 

A published Calendar image for Ridgid Tools - September 1952
A published Calendar image for Ridgid Tools – September 1952

 

Framed and matted behind glass
Framed and matted behind glass

Seen gamely climbing into a larger than life pipe threader in ballet slippers and skimpy pink apron, this redheaded Petty girl is an unlikely yet alluring gearhead. A published mixed media pin-up illustration by George Petty which appeared as a calendar for Ridgid Tools in September of 1952, as part of his long running series of commissions for the company. Petty was one of the top pin-up illustrators of the 1930s and 1940s, beginning his career with a series of cartoons which graced the pages of Esquire Magazine, pairing snappy beautiful jazz-age pin-up girls and their far from handsome beaus. His work coined the term “Petty Girl” to describe the carefully airbrushed girls with brilliant smiles, sexy poses and clever pre-code quips. When, in the late 1930s, Esquire refused to renegotiate the artist’s contract despite the runaway popularity of the Petty Girl, he left the magazine to become a freelance commercial artist, and Esquire in turn, introduced the country to Alberto Vargas. In the post-Esquire period, Petty Girls were seen gracing magazine ads and calendars for Old Gold Cigarettes, Jantzen swimwear, and even such unlikely products as Tung-Sol Radio Tubes and the aptly named Ridgid Tools.

Full view of illustration before framing
Full view of illustration before framing

 

Detail
Detail

This is essentially a collage – the central Petty Girl figure is an airbrush artwork created by the artist then precicely and precariously perched by Petty over a photostat of a piece of machinery – the “New No. 4P Heavy Duty Geared Pipe Threader” specifically. This sort of mixed-media approach to advertising art was cutting edge in 1952 (much like the Ridgid Tool being advertised) and this original illustration artwork showcases an inventive combination of design and artistry.

Work is in a very fine state of original conservation and handsomely matted and framed behind glass.

Corner frame detail
Corner frame detail

 

Sde view showing collage element

Verso detail

 

Full view - verso of illustration board
Full view – verso of illustration board

Miss Ridgid Tools

Artist: George Petty
Price:  Sold

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1950s, american, Esquire, George Petty, machine age, original calendar art, Petty Girl, pin up, redhead, ridgid tools, The Golden Gallery
Added to Gallery: April 4, 2014

 

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    About Grapefruit Moon Gallery

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery, based in Minneapolis MN, specializes in vintage pin up and original illustration art.  We are the proud home of the Bunny Yeager archives.

    Since 2003, Grapefruit Moon Gallery has been a leading dealer of exclusive original paintings by Gil Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, Earl Moran, Rolf Armstrong and Henry Clive, as well as vintage photographs, prints, and period decorative arts in ceramic and metal.

    All artworks featured are original, accurately represented, and guaranteed to be the work of the named artist.

    Interested buyers may view pieces by appointment and we are happy to answer any questions you may have. [Contact Us]

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