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Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Sorry, It's Sold

An American Beauty

Artist:Earl Christy
Date:1923
Medium:Pastel on illustration board
Dimensions:Framed 26.25" x 33" | Sight size: 21" x 27"
Condition:Excellent framed and matted under glass
Original Use:Cover for The American Magazine, May 1923
Full view
Pastel as it appeared on the cover of  The American Magazine – May, 1923 (included in sale)

American Magazine cover art by Earl Christy

This is a lovely pastel illustration by American artist and illustrator Earl Christy. Showing a delicate flapper beauty holding wispy flowers to her breast in classic romantic fashion, this was used as cover art for The American Magazine, May 1923. A  complete issue of the magazine is included in the sale.

This pastel has been signed by the artist in the lower right corner and is framed behind glass in an ornate wood gesso frame.

This illustration comes from the collection of esteemed illustration art collector Norman Platnick.

The artist’s signature and frame profile lower right
Detail

About the artist: Earl Christy

F. Earl Christy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1882. The “F” is believed to stand for “Frederic”. At 17, he painted originals for the Boardwalk Atlantic City Picture company, with many of his early works published by the J. Hoover and Sons Calendar Company of Philadelphia. He attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Arts from 1905-1907.

Christy produced dozens of magazine covers including; Dell Publishing Company for Modern Romances, Modern Screen and Radio Stars, Ainslee’s magazine, American Magazine, Sunday Magazine of the New York Times, Collier’s, Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly, Liberty Magazine, McClure’s Photoplay Magazine, and Puck Magazine. He also created illustrations for many calendar prints, ink blotters, postcards and Princess Pat Cosmetic’s advertisements. Most of his images were of beautiful girls primarily playing sports such as basketball, golf and tennis. Earl Christy never married and lived most of his life with one or both of his sisters. He passed away on Long Island New York in 1961.

The Legacy of Norman Platnick

In his New York Times obituary, Norman Platnick’s son Will said that his father had three passions in life, his wife Nancy, spiders, and collecting.

Few individuals have the chance to leave a mark like Norm’s in even one field, let alone two. But Norm managed to be both a celebrated scientist, and one of the most influential lay historians of illustration art.

Under his imprint Enchantment Ink, Norm researched, wrote, and published collectors guides to artists like Rolf Armstrong and Earl Christy. We at Grapefruit Moon Gallery rely on these books in our work, and they are now all freely available as PDFs through the Enchantment Ink website.

Norm’s expertise was a gift, his friendship was a treasure, and his legacy is immeasurable. He is missed.

An American Beauty

Artist: Earl Christy

Filed Under: Pin-Up & Glamour Art, Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: American Magazine, Calendar, Earl Christy, Golden Age, Norman Platnick, original cover art, Original pastel, pin up
Added to Gallery: July 4, 2020

 

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