• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Recent Additions
  • The Gallery
    • About
    • Browse by Topic
    • eBay
    • Sorry, It’s Sold
  • Guarantee & Policies
    • Guarantee
    • Shipping & Payment
    • Amazon.com Shipping Information
    • eBay Buyer Protection
  • Contact & Social Media
    • E-mail & Phone
    • eBay
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

  • Gallery Blog
  • Golden Gallery
  • Fine & Decorative
  • Illustration & Advertising
  • Paperback & Pulp
  • Pin-Up & Glamour
Sorry, It's Sold

54-40 Or Fight

Artist:Arthur Keller
Date:1909
Medium:Gouache on Illustration Board
Dimensions:Sight Size 16" x 19" Framed 24" x 28 1/2"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Frontispiece for "54-40 Or Fight" By Emerson Hough
Price: Sold
Full view of illustration
Full view of illustration
Framed view
Framed view
Artist's signature
Artist’s signature

A richly layered painting by the renowned early 20th century American illustrator Arthur Ignatius Keller depicting the climactic romantic scene from Emerson Hough’s bestselling 1909 novel 54-40 or Fight.

Keller was a prominent artist whose work was sought after by many of the leading authors of the day. He was known for his mastery of light, texture and feeling, and this rare frontispiece painting displays his stunning prowess and talent.

A prominent society painter, Keller’s eye-catching portraits of Victorian maidens were coveted alongside Earl Christy and Harrison Fisher’s. Comes framed in a classic period quartersawn oak frame. Purchase includes a copy of the published illustration featured in 54-40 or Fight.

Published Illustration in 54-40 Or Fight
Published Illustration in 54-40 Or Fight
Detail
Detail

The phrase “54-40 or Fight” hearkens back to the Oregon boundary dispute between Britain and the United States which raged from 1818 to 1846.

After frequent standoffs and attempts to determine who had claim to which portions of the upper Northwest, James Polk (at that point a Presidential Candidate) in 1844, appealing to expansionist sentiment, asserted that the U.S. had a valid claim to the entire Oregon Country up to to latitude 54-40’N.

The turmoil gave rise to slogans like “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!”. The historical romance by Emerson Hough was a bestselling novel in 1909 when it was published, though as Keller’s evocative illustration shows, it was more romance than history.

54-40 Or Fight

Artist: Arthur Keller
Price:  Sold

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1910s, american, Arthur Keller, Emerson Hough, fine art, illustration, original interior illustration, romantic, victorian
Added to Gallery: May 3, 2018

 

Contact Grapefruit Moon Gallery



    Primary Sidebar

    Join our mailing list

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery Around the Web

    Facebook
    Instagram
    Pinterest
    Twitter

    Recent Additions

    Gone With the Wind

    Pigeon Feathers

    Packed Dirt, Churchgoing, A Dying Cat, A Traded Car

    Footer

    About Grapefruit Moon Gallery

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery, based in Minneapolis MN, specializes in vintage pin up and original illustration art.  We are the proud home of the Bunny Yeager archives.

    Since 2003, Grapefruit Moon Gallery has been a leading dealer of exclusive original paintings by Gil Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, Earl Moran, Rolf Armstrong and Henry Clive, as well as vintage photographs, prints, and period decorative arts in ceramic and metal.

    All artworks featured are original, accurately represented, and guaranteed to be the work of the named artist.

    Interested buyers may view pieces by appointment and we are happy to answer any questions you may have. [Contact Us]

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery on eBay

     

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery on Instagram

    View on Instagram

    Copyright © 2023