Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration
Welcome to Grapefruit Moon Gallery. Here you will find an archived visual history of past sales. Pretty to look at, some are quite old; but when they're in here, consider them sold!
A wonderful whimsically-rendered interior illustration for the long running American magazine, Judge. Titled A Dangerous Landing from the early days of aviation and the heroism associated by “those men in their flying machines”. Marked on verso Judge magazine and beautifully-framed in a large, period, fumed oak frame.
Artist: F. Foster Lincoln
A rare surviving Detective Pulp cover illustration of a hard boiled New York City policeman with a drawn gun. A defining cover for the May 1932 issue of Real Detective , illustrating the interior story “Pay or Die! The Menace of the Kidnapping Terrorists”. Artwork by Alec Redmond signed lower right. Oil on stretched canvas retains original gesso painted wood frame. Call or e-mail for a complete condition report.
Artist: Alec Redmond
A large and spectacular example of Sawyers’ illustrative mastery in specializing in ethnic-based exotic and often at times Far Eastern-inspired action/drama renderings. This image is reproduced in The Illustrator in America by Roger Reed on page 224. Pastel is nicely framed and matted and a complete edition of the Collier’s magazine in which the piece appeared, is included with the sale.
Artist: Martha Sawyers
An evocotive American Arts and Crafts aesthetic, original oil on canvas, by noted and listed Chicago area artist, Torey Ross. Ross was born in Gotthenburg, Sweden, settled in Chicago, was a member of the Chicago Society of Artists, exhibited at The Salons of America, The Art Institute of Chicago and The Society of Independent Artists in New York City . Titled on verso Florida Indian Home. Stylistically very similar to period Illustration work by Eanger Irving Couse and Weinhold Reiss. Retains elaborate and beautiful original Art Nouveau, carved gesso frame.
Artist: Torey Ross
A charming original oil on canvas by noted Calendar artist Charlotte Becker. Rare, original commissioned calendar art retains verso label with work order instructions, dated with detailed instructions for printing specifics. The calendar company is not identified on label, additionally there is a verso label for Max Rosenstein Art Shop on the backing paper, with a Philadelphia address. This is a very popular enduring image and a rare opportunity to own the original painting. Beautifully framed in its original gesso painted art deco frame.
Artist: Charlotte Becker
An early example of a fine art glamour painting, depicting “Birute”, a 14th century Lithuanian princess. Original commissioned artwork for calendar reproduction by Hoover and Sons. This oil on canvas is reproduced in The Great American Pin-Up (Martignetti and Meisel) on page 25, fig #15. Along with Angelo Asti, Whitroy was a prolific Art Nouveau era Victorian glamour artist.
Artist: Hy Whitroy
A large Victorian era watercolor by famed illustrator Albert Beck Wenzell of Art Nouveau beauties amidst angels. Wenzell is best known for his illustrated book The Passing Show published by Collier’s in 1903. He did mural work for the New Amsterdam Theater in New York City at the turn of the last century and did numerous early 1900’s magazine covers including the December 1906 cover for The Saturday Evening Post.
Artist: Albert Wenzell
A rare early example of an Enoch Bolles spicy cover girl; a winsome flapper girl sunning in a sheer bikini. This was used as cover art for a Spicy Pulp publication, most likely Breezy Stories or Stolen Sweets. Like most of Enoch Bolles’ paintings it is unsigned.This is guaranteed to be an original work by this heralded pin-up legend. Call or e-mail for a condition report.
Artist: Enoch Bolles
A rare and large stunning pastel by noted illustrator Adelaide Hiebel. A remarkable composition, in pristine condition, this is a monumental example of American Calendar art and effortlessy illustrates the allure of the Indian Maiden and the Depression era popular culture interest with exotic-themed escapism. This illustration is pictured in the Collectors Press reference book Vintage Illustration on page 200. Interestingly the artists name is misspelled on the pastel as it is on the Gerlach-Barklow Calendar Co art print. This is 100% guaranteed original and vintage and by the hand of Adelaide Hiebel.
Artist: Adelaide Hieibel
Alejandro Serrat Blasco-Ibanez was a 20th century post-cubist Master. This piece of work was found after his death entombed in the basement of his parents’ home in Los Angeles. He was the nephew of the famed Vincente Blasco-Ibanez, who was made popular by his novel The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. This stunning gouache painting is a great example of his textural cubist renderings.
Artist: Alejandro Serrat Blasco-Ibanez
