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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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James Bama

A photo-realist, kinetic original oil on board by James Bama. This painting, created as a cover for Stag Magzine, illustrates the outlandish true story of Faustin Wirkus, an American soldier who became king of a small island off Haiti in 1906. Faustus was made famous in the 1930s book “The Magic Isle” and was a cult figure thereafter. Interior text reads in part “For five fabulous years, by order of the U.S. Marine Corps, he ruled the mid-ocean island- voodoo, personal harem and all.” Work is unsigned but article credits art by James Bama, magazine is included in sale.

The Strange Kingdom of Marine Sgt. Wirkus

Artist: James Bama

Filed Under: Paperback & Pulp Art, Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1950s, american, exoticism, harem, James Bama, original cover art, pulp, Stag, The Golden Gallery, voodoo
Added to Gallery: May 24, 2008

 

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