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

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.