Above: Full view of painting

Above: The artist’s signature

This fresh and dazzling Gil Elvgren oil on canvas painting titled “Pot Luck” is a rare surviving commissioned work for the Brown & Bigelow Calendar Company, St Paul, MN. This image graced calendars in 1961 and also served as the 6 of clubs in the “52 American Beauties” playing card series. The entire deck featured Elvgren pin up beauties, a fact that demonstrates the incredible popularity of this iconic artist. With its sin city scenario, and Kim Novak/Marilyn Monroe inspired seductress at the one armed bandit, this is exciting, risque and unquestionably one of the most desirable Elvgren artworks to come to market.

Above: Detail

Recent auction records on the artist top out at $262,900 and on July 15th 2009, 3 Brown & Bigelow original calendar pin-ups closed at $215,100.00, $191,200.00 and $143,400.00 after spirited bidding. Elvgren is without a doubt the most important pin up artist in American history and this is by all accounts a masterwork and an Elvgren painting for the ages.

Above: A 1960 Sepia Portrait of the Artist Gilette Elvgren

Elvgren worked with live models and was a very competent commercial photographer, as witnessed by this view of model Janet Rae posing for “Pot Luck”.

Above: The model as posed by Elvgren

A Brown & Bigelow notepad, advertising blotter and playing card featuring this published image are included with the purchase of this major work.

Above: Brown & Bigelow Advertising Ink Blotter with image included in sale

Above: 52 American Beauties showing the Six of Clubs playing card with “Pot Luck” image

Above: Advertising notepad with “Pot Luck” image

The work has been professionally strip lined to preserve the upper portion of the painted surface which had been obscured previously by the stretcher bar. This important, rare and luminous painting is in a fine state of preservation and displays wonderfully.

Above: Verso view of canvas

Above: Brown & Bigelow inventory number on verso

Here are some recent Gil Elvgren comparable auction records and images.

Title: FASCINATION
30″ x 24″
Created: 1952
Oil/Canvas
Signed
Lot: 66097
Low Est.: $30,000
High Est.: $35,000
Sales Price**: $262,900
06/05/2008

Above: Fascination by Gil Elvgren

Title: SKIRTING THE ISSUE
30″ x 24″
Oil/Canvas
Signed Lower Right
Lot: 66099
Low Est.: $30,000
High Est.: $40,000
Sales Price**: $203,150
06/05/2008

Above: Skirting The Issue by Gil Elvgren

Title: COVER UP 1955
Oil on canvas
30 x 24 in.
Signed lower left
Estimate: $30,000 – $40,000.
Sales Price**: $191,200
07/15/2009

Above: Cover Up by Gil Elvgren

Title: IT’S A SNAP (Pretty Snappy; Snap Judgment), 1958
Oil on canvas
30 x 24 in.
Signed lower left
Estimate: $30,000 – $40,000.
Sales Price**: $215,100
07/15/2009

Above: It’s a Snap by Gil Elvgren