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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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I am proud to offer the original illustration, created in 1952 by T.N. Thompson for The Champion Line. This image turned up for many years and was featured on desk calendars, as well as large hanging calendars with commissioned advertising pads. The early title was: GALS IN GINGHAM SUITED DAD, BLONDES IN LACE FOR THIS LAD. Later when Marilyn Monroe became the international sensation and sexy nude pin-up, this was retitled simply Marilyn for obvious reasons. Double matted and professionally framed in a vintage, gold gesso, wood stepped frame. Includes a letter from Brown & Bigelow expressing this painting’s authenticity, and a copied catalog showing this iconic illustration in various incarnations from Champion Product Lines.

Marilyn Monroe

Artist: T. N. Thompson

Filed Under: Pin-Up & Glamour Art, Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1950s, american, Champion Line, cigarettes, Marilyn Monroe, nude, original calendar art, pin up, T. N. Thompson
Added to Gallery: February 24, 2005

This is a rare opportunity to purchase an original Art Deco Era pastel by undoubtably the finest female pin-up illustrator of this Golden Age! This large and breathtaking nude retains its original frame which was also hand-painted by the artist, Mabel Rollins Harris. Harris was a leading illustrator during the 1920’s and 1930’s and did calendar work for Brown & Bigelow and the Thomas D. Murphy Company, of which this is an example. Her original pastels are scarce and seldom come on the market. I just located a published version of this piece it is shown here and included in sale. It is completed artwork and, to these eyes, the finest of Harris’ creations.

Sprite of Springtime

Artist: Mabel Rollins Harris

Filed Under: Pin-Up & Glamour Art, Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1930s, american, art deco, flapper, Golden Age, Mabel Rollins Harris, nude, nymph, original calendar art, pin up, spring, Thomas D. Murphy
Added to Gallery: November 6, 2004

This is a haunting original illustration of an Egyptian Princess trying to save her Dying Prince, by concocting some potions as a serpent feeds and assorted Black Magic abounds. A stunning presumably interior book plate illustration signed Maurice Greiffenhasen. This evokes the early 1900’s imagery of Coles Phillips and Maxfield Parrish and is masterfully executed with a very stylized art deco Egyptian aesthetic.

Egyptian Princess Practices Black Magic

Artist: Maurice Greiffenhasen

Filed Under: Illustration & Advertising Art, Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1900s, art deco, black magic, egyptian, escapism, fantasy, Maurice Greiffenhasen, nude, original interior illustration
Added to Gallery: November 25, 2003

An early art deco era masterpiece and one of only several oils ever painted by Arthur Spear in this large size. A playful nude nymph and allegorical satyr cavort near a river’s edge, titled in pencil on verso The Unveiling. Retains original carved wood gesso frame that appears to be a Carrig Rohane or similar quality. A masterpiece and a very rare surviving example of Spear’s mastery and Maxfield Parrish-like imagery and painterly technique.

The Unveiling

Artist: Arthur Prince Spear

Filed Under: Fine & Decorative Art, Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1920s, allegorical, american, art deco, Arthur Prince Spear, fantasy, nude, nymph, satyr
Added to Gallery: November 19, 2003

This humorous watercolor by famed American Illustrator, James Montgomery Flagg, attests to the fraternity and friendship that existed between peers during the Golden Age of Illustration. After Clive threatened to leave illustration behind and become a southwestern landscape painter, Flagg perfectly lampooned Clive in this painting. Flagg was an amazingly prolific illustrator and is best known for his WWI poster artwork and for creating the resonating famed image of our dear old Uncle Sam.

Gag Presentation Drawing of Henry Clive

Artist: James Montgomery Flagg

Filed Under: Fine & Decorative Art, Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1940s, american, Gag Cartoon, Golden Age, Henry Clive, illustration, James Montgomery Flagg, nude, western
Added to Gallery: November 10, 2003

This is a touching, inscribed presentation drawing from Zeigfeld Follies illustrator, Henry Clive, to Alfred Cheney Johnston, the legendary long time Follies photographer. Johnston was a leading 1920’s movie and performist portrait photographer. I have several vintage 1920’s examples of his photography currently listed in the Photographs and Prints category on this site.

Zeigfeld Girl Presentation Drawing

Artist: Henry Clive

Filed Under: Fine & Decorative Art, Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1920s, Alfred Cheney Johnston, american, flapper, Henry Clive, illustration, nude, Ziegfeld Follies
Added to Gallery: November 10, 2003

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