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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Illustration & Advertising Art

Secret To A Lovely Figure

Artist:Cardwell Higgins
Date:1942
Medium:Pastel on Board
Dimensions:Sight Size 17" x 23" Framed 24" x 30 1/2"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Original Advertising art for Adola Brassieres
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Full view of pastel on illustration board
Full view of pastel on illustration board
The artist's distinctive signature
The artist’s distinctive signature
Above: The artwork as it appeared as an advertisiment for Adola Brassieres

A 1942 original pastel on board by Cardwell Higgins created for an advertising display sign for “Adola Brassieres.” Higgins executed a series of these images all with erotically charged pin up girl style and often times set in Hawaii as in this example. This is the only known surviving pastel from this campaign, the text on the die-cut display created from the artwork read “The Secret To a Lovely Figure.”

Framed and properly matted behind glass
Framed and properly matted behind glass
Frame profile and matting view
Frame profile and matting view
Detail
Detail

Below are other examples of Adola Brassieres die-cut display signs we purchased from the estate of Charles Martignette at his estate auction in Florida. Sadly we acquired this pastel months after selling the display sign so the scan seen above confirms the usage of the work but is not included with sale.

Work is nicely framed and matted behind glass and ready to enjoy.

Above: Another Adola die-cut featuring a Cardwell Higgins pin-up
Above: Another Adola die-cut featuring a Cardwell Higgins pin-up
Above: Another Adola die-cut featuring a Cardwell Higgins pin-up

Secret To A Lovely Figure

Artist: Cardwell Higgins

Filed Under: Illustration & Advertising Art
Tagged With: 1940s, advertising, american, art deco, Cardwell Higgins, erotic, hawaiiana, lingerie, pin up
Added to Gallery: January 27, 2018

 

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