Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration
From the estate of the American artist James Lunnon, this is an unsigned proposed Black Mask pulp cover painting which was slated for publication in May of 1940. The yellow left side field is a telling trait and was unique to the title – this format was used between January 1937 to April of 1940, […]
Artist: James Lunnon
A dashing original pastel illustration, a scarce surviving Golden Age of Hollywood cover portrait of the lovely Marion Davies. Davies, a true film legend, is captured in an opulent and unabashedly art deco pose by frequent tinsel-town illustrator Charles Gates Sheldon. This large and inventive work was used as the March 1936 cover of “Movie Classic Magazine”. Pastel is in a fine original state of conservation and framed and matted behind glass in an an ornate gesso period antique frame.
Artist: Charles Sheldon
This original 1920s oil on board by Henry Soulen was likely an interior spot illustration which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post. The colorful, boldly painted, Orientalist scene shows a rickshaw and two figures in heated conversation in front of gates of what appears to be San Francisco’s Chinatown. Housed in a simple, original-to-the-painting wood […]
Artist: Henry Soulen
A pristine and important surviving Henry Clive illustration painting that appeared as the cover for the August 27, 1944 issue of The American Weekly, a Randolph Hearst publication. The magazine often commissioned Clive to create serialized images of enchantresses that shared a thematic thread. In this case – in the year 1944 the artist was […]
Artist: Henry Clive
Two squared jaw toughs slug it out as a pretty redhead damsel in distress looks on in this classic pulp cover painting for sale at Grapefruit Moon Gallery.
Artist: Mel Phillips
Harry Barton painted this steamy gouache illustration for use as the cover of 1952’s Tender Hearted Harlot by Val Munroe. Published as a pulp digest, novella length story that takes place on the San Francisco waterfront and follows the proclivities of the young, bold and beautiful Ginny Parrish who… “is a gambler to the core – but the one thing she won’t bet on is love…” Sounds like a real page turner! The painting is in pristine condition and has been nicely matted and framed under glass, a copy of the published digest is included in the sale.
Artist: Harry Barton
This original gouache cover painting by Mort Kustler appeared on the June 1959 cover of Male magazine, illustrating an interior story titled “Madame Penal”. The cover slug text says it all: “Dramatic saga of the young woman who ruled the Middle East’s Cafard Compound, and of the handful of Americans and 1500 starved and broken wretches forced […]
Artist: Mort Kunstler
A stylish and decidedly art deco cover illustration for the September 9th, 1939 issue of Liberty magazine, painted by the prolific illustrator Victor Tchetchet. Depicting a Carole Lombard-esque blonde bombshell in a Diana the Huntress mythological pose. Dedicated and inscribed to the fabled Hollywood film producer Otto Preminger, as seen lower right. Painting has been handsomely […]
Artist: Victor Tchetchet
Dating to the 1950s, this Mid-Century Modern original advertising illustration features a young, stylish, and well-to-do couple looking at travel posters and pondering their next destination. The African masks and tribal Zuni Fetish Doll on the mantle as well as the hanging modernist abstract art let the consumer know that this couple is sophisticated and well-traveled. A […]
Artist: Richard Preyer
Using an inventive pointillism technique, Henry J. Soulen creates a moody and evocative artwork in an American impressionist style in this dramatic painting. This was likely featured as an interior illustration for The Saturday Evening Post. Known for his Orientalist exotic aesthetic, Soulen was an early student of Howard Pyle, he utilized a heavy expressive brush strokes and impasto oil paint technique. The scene features a masked bandit readying himself to duel for the honor of the lovely Edwardian attired maiden.
Artist: Henry Soulen
