A large and radiantly beautiful rare surviving signed F. Earl Christy pastel advertising illustration on canvas for “Parke, Davis & Co. Toilet Articles.” A jazz-age modernist interpretation of an art deco pin up girl. F. Earl Christy was a prolific early 1900s illustrator who’s career spanned four decades. We rarely come across his original works this is an estate fresh large and luminous example from his best period nicely framed and properly lined behind glass in a pristine state of original conservation.

 

This was created as artwork during the 1920s for a large point of purchase die-cut advertising display sign for the “Parke-Davis & Co.”- Toilet Articles Cosmetic Company. An image is pictured in Volume Two of The Enchantment Ink’s Collector’s book on F. Earl Christy, image likely also appeared in print use in magazine advertisements of the era. A somewhat tattered vintage die-cut display advertising sign of the artwork is included in the sale.

 

F. Earl Christy – 1882 – 1961

Christy studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, his father, William, subsidized his early career as a commercial illustrator (1905-1906). Christy practically invented the illustrated image of the Victorian ideal of the “All-American Girl,” at least for the Ivy-League set. His early works glorified the society college girl – always beautifully dressed at football games, golf and tennis tournaments, riding in automobiles or playing instruments. His first College Girl postcard series was published in 1905 by the U.S.S. Postcard Company.

During the 1920s the illustrator worked in advertising and created hundreds of Silent Movie era covers for Photoplay, Modern Screen, Pictorial Review, Popular Songs, Radio Stars, Screen Album, Screen Romances, and Shadowplay glamorizing the “More Stars Than There are in Heaven” Hollywood, tinseltown era star set.

This illustrators works can also be found on sheet music, fans, blotters, book illustrations, boxes, jigsaw puzzles, posters, serving trays, bookmarks, advertising mailers, catalogs, programs, china, and textiles.