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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 Sylvania in Manhattan

Artist:Gil Elvgren
Date:1950
Medium:Oil on Stretched Canvas
Dimensions:Sight Size 28" x 32" Framed 33 1/2" x 38"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Pin Up Art for The Brown & Bigelow Calendar Company
Price: Sold
Full view of oil on canvas painting
Full view of oil on canvas painting
The artist's signature lower left
The artist’s signature lower left
Detail
Detail

This never before offered for sale, large original Gil Elvgren calendar pin up painting was originally commissioned by the Brown & Bigelow calendar company in 1950 for their “Miss Sylvania” advertising line. This estate fresh pin up is larger than Elvgren’s typical 24″ by 32″ canvas, and is the only example we have seen by the artist with a cityscape skyline. The stylized cobalt blue and neon light idealized view of Midtown Manhattan with The Sylvania Building ablaze in the night underscore the importance of the lighting and electric company to the city that never sleeps.

Framed view in handsome wood gallery frame
Framed view in handsome wood gallery frame
Above: Electric cobalt blue neon lit New York City skyline

The Miss Sylvania account adapted The Great American Pin-up to middle America’s buttoned up sensibilities. Each year one of the calendar company’s star artists would create a wholesome yet alluring “Miss Sylvania” exclusively for this prestigious advertising campaign, that said our formally attired glamour girl here is showing off some dangerous curves and an inviting, mischievous smile in this exciting Mardi-Gras attired electric view.

Above: Verso view of untouched old canvas and pine stretchers

This rare surviving, important and luminous original oil painting has never before been on the market before. It was gifted to a retired employee by The Sylvania Company and has been in private hands for the past 35 years. Sold with a large Brown & Bigelow 1950 Armstrong Radio Supply Company Advertising Calendar from 1950.

Large advertising calendar of image included in sale
Large advertising calendar of image included in sale

Miss Sylvania in Manhattan

Artist: Gil Elvgren
Price:  Sold

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1950s, advertising, american, Brown & Bigelow, Gil Elvgren, glamour, Great American Pin-up, holiday, masquarade, Miss Sylvania, new years eve, new york city, original calendar art, pin up, skyline, The Golden Gallery
Added to Gallery: May 15, 2013

 

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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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