Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration
A rare surviving pastel cover illustration by Cardwell Higgins for the first issue of Screen Humor Magazine; January 1934, Volume #1 – Issue #1. A very sexy flapper girl in silk stockings and garter belts from the art deco era when America’s news stands were filled with these often times very short lived runs of titillating Spicy Pulp titles that featured brazenly erotic pin-up girl depictions of showgirls and jazz-age playthings.
Artist: Cardwell Higgins
A delightful oil on canvas by Eugenie Wireman likely used by the Curtis Publishing Company as a Christmas magazine cover circa 1910 – 1920. Wireman studied under Howard Pyle and worked as a Brandywine school illustrator creating children’s book illustrations, magazine covers, and advertising art for many Golden Age of Illustration magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post. A delightful view of a young child enjoying the spoils of a bountiful Christmas Morning, with great imagery and antique toy laden fanciful nostalgic appeal.
Artist: Eugenie Wireman
This large, fresh to the market Henry Clive painting was created for the June 20th, 1948 cover of The American Weekly. The work finds the artist portraying Delilah as posed by Earl Carroll showgirl Beryl Wallace in seductive harem girl garb with barber’s shears prominently featured. Clive created a series of these artworks under the title “Enchantresses of the Ages” for Randolph Hearst’s American Weekly title where Clive enjoyed a three decade career as cover illustrator.
Artist: Henry Clive
A large gouache illustration for the cover of the October 1960 edition of Stag Magazine. A daring mountain top rescue illustrating the interior story “Three Months With The Wild Mountain Girls of Tibet” – “Sgt. Gregory’s Escape From Red Chinese Captivity”. A compelling read we are certain and by all accounts an action packed large scale gouache illustration.
Artist: Mort Künstler
A rare surviving early signed cover painting by Enoch Bolles for the October 1925 issue of Film Fun Magazine. A delightful modernist flapper girl envisioned as only Bolles could see, titled “Port ‘O Dreams”. Painting is initialed lower middle and in a fine state of preservation. Recent auction records for this artist have topped $30,000.00 and as collectors know his original cover works are very scarce.
Artist: Enoch Bolles
A bizarre and gritty subway terror scene by Mort Kunstler from the “War at Home” genre prevalent in 1960s Men’s Magazine art. This depiction finds a handful of thugs in their best Lords of Flatbush garb accosting a pretty mod damsel. A square jawed, tough as nails Cold War era Military Man prevails in the name of justice over some assorted juvenile delinquents in this archetypical depiction of the ongoing culture war of the 60s. This was used as a May cover “For Men Only Magazine” with the title “Underground Angels Who Terrorized New York’s Subways”. This is an electric work; if you are a fan of the genre, this gouache painting has it all.
Artist: Mort Künstler
A fine and rare surviving original pastel by Charles Sheldon of the young and lovely Jean Harlow from her early years around the time of her breakthrough role in Howard Hughes’ epic film of 1930 Hells Angels.
Artist: Charles Sheldon
Grapefruit Moon Gallery is honored to offer this rare and exceptional original pastel illustration which Henry Clive created for the cover of the Valentines Day edition (February 13, 1937) of “The American Weekly.” Part of Clive’s “Vision of an Artist” series of covers for this Randolph Hearst publication, these Visions illustrated forces of nature such as the tornado and (in this case) Aurora Borealis as mythical images of femininity. The concept of women as natural phenomenon and even natural disasters is something Clive took a personal interest in, as his 6 failed marriages will attest. This enchanting and inventive depiction titled “The Aurora” features favorite Clive model and Randolph Hearst mistress Marion Davies as the goddess of the northern lights, radiating over a polar ice cap.
Artist: Henry Clive
This April 16, 1927 cover painting for “Detective Story Magazine” by John A. Coughlin is titled on verso “Hoodooed.” The well rendered oil on canvas, signed lower left, depicts a train robbery heist scene, that from the title appears to fit into a larger intrigue of voodoo and mystery. This rare Street and Smith commissioned cover painting has been relined and stretched on new pine stretchers and is ready to frame and enjoy.
Artist: John Coughlin
An early published and signed oil on canvas by John A. Coughlin for an as of yet unidentified Street & Smith pulp title. The hand of a New York City police officer is seen menacing a formally attired crowd in a surreal, chaotic action packed moment. A rare surviving original cover painting from The Golden Age of Illustration and a recent Pennsylvania estate find. Verso is titled “You Can’t Win” with a partial Street & Smith publishing label as seen. Relined and restretched and ready to frame and enjoy.
Artist: John Coughlin
