This is a fabulous example of Gil Elvgren’s pin-up work for the Brown & Bigelow Calendar Company of Saint Paul, MN. This was created and published in 1955 with the title of Welcome Traveler and is one of the finest Elvgren paintings this gallery has offered. A pretty redhead perched on a tweed suitcase dries her eyes with her frilly silk undergarments at a train station, capturing a moment that is pure and fun American pin-up. The painting is in a fine state of conservation and has been relined and handsomely framed. Grapefruit Moon Gallery previously sold this painting in 2014; we are delighted to have acquired it back from the original buyer.

 

 

Welcome Traveler was one of the artist’s most iconic images. Brown & Bigelow produced playing cards with the image and she appeared on calendars, blotters, and advertising notebooks; printed versions of each are seen below.