Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration
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 large and magnificent rare surviving signed F. Earl Christy pastel advertising illustration on canvas for “The Princess Pat” Cosmetic Company. A defining glamorous pin-up girl with a chic and elegantly sophisticated jazz-age style and modernist machine age aesthetic. F. Earl Christy was a prolific early 1900’s illustrator who’s career spanned four decades. We rarely come across his original works this is an estate fresh large and luminous example from his best period nicely matted and framed in a pristine state of original conservation.
Artist: Earl Christy
An unusual and impacting Edwin Georgi interior illustration that appeared in The March 1952 Edition of Cosmopolitan Magazine in a story titled “The Coward”. A luminous and other wordly Georgi-girl seemingly kissing an enlisted soldier engaged in fierce combat goodbye.
Artist: Edwin Georgi
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 luminous and sensational oil on canvas by Charles Edward Chambers, a masterful magazine and advertising illustrator of the jazz age. Chambers created this remarkable, highly sensuous Polynesian enchantress scene as a commissioned interior magazine illustration, likely for Cosmopolitan where he was under exclusive contract for many years. This uninhibited and erotic island dance scene is one of Chambers’ finest paintings, and a masterful example of early 20th century exoticism in illustration.
Artist: Charles Edward Chambers
A fresh to the market (and fresh in subject matter) 1940s original pin-up painting by Edward D’Ancona, created for the Louis F. Dow Calendar Company. Titled “Downstairs Maid” this is really a spirited rendering with an overtly erotic theme. For those of you keeping score, this commissioned cheesecake “Americana gone wrong” genre of pin-up art is white hot currently. This is by all accounts a defining example. This published illustration painting is in a very fine state of conservation, nicely matted and framed and ready to hang in your gallery, library or home.
Artist: Edward D'Ancona
A Grecian inspired, fantasy themed, mixed media illustration that was used by the Thos. D. Murphy Calendar company for a 1930 calendar titled The Glory That Was Ancient Greece. This whimsical yet erotic Grecian maiden themed work consists of a heavily tinted photograph of the two Grecian adorned beauties by L.G. Woolenden and an elaborate garden landscape painting by Rudolph Ingerle that envelopes the photographic element. This team of enterprising calendar art talents created numerous works under the pseudonym L. Goddard Surviving original L Goddard artworks are quite rare and spectacular, and among our favorite examples of fantastical and escapist art deco/Great Depression calendar illustration. A large printed calendar from the Thomas D. Murphy calendar company archives is included in the sale.
Artist: L. Goddard
A finely rendered lovely red headed nude siren by Pal Fried, this is a fresh Chicago estate find in a fine state of original conservation in a handsome ornate carved wood period frame. Titled on back of canvas “Tina” in the artists hand, a defining and sexually charged erotic depiction by the prolific and celebrated Hungarian portrait painter.
Artist: Pal Fried
Sarahjane and Dan Murphy discuss pulpy history and Grapefruit Moon Gallery’s exhibit of original pulp cover art entitled “Hard Boiled Art” in these KMSP clips. Pulp magazine covers were very sensational and were considered the most important aspect in the sales of any particular pulp series. Socially acceptable boundaries were often tested and the topics […]
