This well rendered, calendar published original pin up pastel from 1941 by Jules Erbit titled “Yours Truly” was created for the Gerlach-Barklow company, Joliet, Illinois. Jules Erbit was born in Budapest and started selling his illustrations at the age of fifteen. A freelancer with all the major calendar companies, the artist created hundreds of typically wholesome good girl art calendar girls that were influential in creating the American ideal of feminine beauty and glamour girl allure.

Gerlach-Barklow Calendar company authors and historians Tim and Michelle Smith provided us with a scan of this image as it appeared in the 1941 Calendar line book which also provides this colorful ad-agency biography of Jules Erbit.

Above: The image “Yours Truly” as it appeared in print form in the 1941 Gerlach-Barklow Calendar line

Above: 1941 Index page for The Gerlach-Barklow Calendar Company folio book

Above: Gerlach-Barklow calendar Company title page of “Yours Truly” (Courtesy of Tim Smith)

“If eyes were made for seeing,” says Emerson, “then beauty is it’s own excuse for being.” That being true, this fair daughter of Mother Eve requires no words of praise from us to impel you to appreciate her charm.
“Yours truly” is a typical Jules Erbit portrait. The patrician poise of her head, the compelling power of innocence in her frank expressive eyes, the broad, intellectual forehead, surmounted by its crown of rich brown hair, all combine to make an appealing picture of attractive young womanhood which once seen is not soon forgotten.
Jules Erbit who painted “Yours Truly” was born in Budapest and began to earn his own living at the age of fifteen as an illustrator. He has resided in America for many years and is proud to call it “Home.”
It is our sincere wish that “Yours Truly” may be a happy inspiration to you and that the calendar which she adorns may mark a New Year of health and prosperity for you and yours.