Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration
At the turn of the 20th century, Industrial Revolution inventions brought technological advancements to printmaking that ushered in a Golden Age of American illustration. Publishers and calendar companies developed new techniques for producing multi-color offset lithographs that were fast, affordable, and flat-out glorious to view, blurring the distinction between fine art and "art for commerce." The best examples by the finest commercial illustrators were revered by the public, and today are beloved by collectors.
An unusual pen & ink drawing by pre-eminent William Randolph Hearst illustrator Nell Brinkley. This intricately detailed 1932 illustration offers satirical social commentary on the deliterious effects the ongoing Great Depression was having on economic health around the world. In this lighter take on troubled times, three Brinkley Girls are depicted nursing the ailing globe back to health.
Artist: Nell Brinkley
A festive Christmas-themed Great Depression avoiding original illustration by John Holmgren for the December 1933 edition of Judge Magazine. A Victorian-themed, carriage-driven, jolly portrayal of a more well to do less menacing time in American society. A complete printed issue of the magazine accompanies the painting.
Artist: John Holmgren
A glamorous and devine large rendering of beautiful screen star siren Gene Tierney in pastel done in 1936 and used for a cover of True Confessions Magazine, January 1940. A defining work by noted Brown & Bigelow pin-up artist and prolific cover illustrator Zoe Mozert . Mozert executed over 400 covers for such titles as Screen Book, True Romance, True Confessions and Randolph Hearst’s American Weekly. This is an examplatory example of Zoe’s Hollywood Portraiture and is in pristine condition with original gilt ornate frame.
Artist: Zoe Mozert
An exceedingly scarce original oil on canvas by noted Illinois early calendar artist F.R. Harper. Harper had a long and successful career in American Illustration. He was particularily adept at portraying exotic-themed Anglo Saxon-ized Indian Maidens and his rare paintings of beautiful women are some of the most poignant in terms of mood and technique from the early art nouveau influenced pre art deco years of glamour art. This is nicely framed and has been oversprayed with some type of varnish or shellac at some point and is priced accordingly.
Artist: F. R. Harper
We have a collection of three Gag Cartoons done by the well listed illustrator Bob Pettes for reproduction as calendar art by Brown & Bigelow. These feature hapless “Scotch swilling ” hacks — ala Caddyshack and Rodney Dangerfield — but decades earlier in this depiction. Ready to frame with expensive round cut matts. Pettes is best known as an illustrator for puzzle reproduction.
Artist: Robert Pettes
An original Brown & Bigelow published illustration for calendar use by their art director Clair V. Fry. Fry studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, the Chicago Art Institute and the Minneapolis Art Institute. He was Art Director of Brown and Bigelow for 35 years, working with Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish and N. C. Wyeth. He taught at St. Paul School of Arts and Sciences and has frequently conducted painting workshops. He retired with his wife to Sun City, Arizona and was a member of the Arizona Watercolor Association.
Artist: Clair Fry
A rare and detailed original gouache illustration of a frenetic hockey scene for either a sports pulp cover or an interior 2 page spread for a slick mainstream publication. Art is signed William Reusswig and dated on verso as seen. A recent sale at the Illustration House in New York City at auction brought $18,000+ for a pulp cover by this well listed artist.
Artist: William Reusswig
A boldly executed rare surviving art deco cover illustration by noted American artist, Frank McIntosh. McIntosh is best known for his Hawaiian-style menu art for Matson Line cruise ships. He was the main cover illustrator for Asia magazine from 1925-1934. Today these issues are in great demand because of their exceptional stylized art deco covers. A rare opportunity to buy an original McIntosh cover illustration painting.
Artist: Frank McIntosh
A noir original signed Nicholas F. Riley (1900-1944). Original Magazine Story Illustration (c. 1940). Watercolor and mixed media on board, approximately 20″ x 16″. Signed lower left.
Artist: Nicholas Riley
A noir and moody interior illustration by frequent Coca Cola illustrator Joseph W. Little for Randolph Hearst ‘s American Weekly Magazine, 1943.
Artist: Joseph Little
