Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration
An exotic Far East-themed interior illustration for the January 30th 1949 edition of Randolph Hearst’s American Weekly Magazine. Caption reads: ” Queen Supi-Yaw-Lat and her wicked mother prodded the hen-pecked King to torture anyone who might be a rival.” Framed in a gold wood suitable frame as seen.
Artist: Jules Gottlieb
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.
Artist: T. N. Thompson
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.
Artist: Mabel Rollins Harris
Another newly unearthed cover painting by Henry Clive for The American Weekly Magazine. Titled on verso Marquita Old Song. An exceptionally rendered Spanish senorita as seen, double matted and framed in a beautiful period gesso ornate cornered frame. A recent southern California warehouse find from a space Mr. Clive rented for storage purposes many decades ago.
Artist: Henry Clive
An original mixed medium illustration for the April 4, 1948 cover of The American Weekly Magazine, from the series Enchanters of Famous Men. This is a stylized portrait of Maria Mancini, 1629-1715, as posed by Universal International film star Maria Montez. This was painted over a grey two-toned photostat that served as the base and a guide for the artist. Retains verso identification label by the hand of Henry Clive and artwork is dated on verso. Great gesso vintage frame freshly cleaned and ready to hang in your gallery, museum or house.
Artist: Henry Clive
The piece may have been also used as a poster design or perhaps a sheet music cover. As was sometimes the case, this rugged boxer with the large chin featured himself as the model. This is a mixed medium work in that the left side of the detailed map is an actual printed period map that Armstrong adhered to the top of the canvas (he painted in the right area of the map where the text Russia appears). This painting is featured on page 43 of the Michael Wooldridge artist book titled Pin-up Dreams.
Artist: Rolf Armstrong
The legendary pastel by Earl Moran of a young pin-up model soon to become Marilyn Monroe. In 1949 the young, winsome Norma Jean approached the established Earl Moran with dreams of modeling for his portraits. With Moran’s eye for beauty, there was no hesitation and a series of illustrations of Marilyn Monroe were born. This pastel was commissioned Calendar Art for Brown & Bigelow and was originally titled CONSENTIDA( an example appears on their webpage ) and marketed to a Latin audience initially.
Artist: Earl Moran
A rare original piece of late 1930’s early 1940’s advertising art from Minneapolis, Minnesota, The City of Lakes and its summer Aquatennial celebration. Winsome sailor girl pin-up imagery. This is painted on tin was most likely signage of some type also has pencil notations on verso which would lead one to believe it was a cover for some Aquatennial-related publication . Artwork is unsigned.
Artist: Unknown
A roaring 20’s flapper girl in a tophat tames a pair of tigers with her feminine guiles. Most likely a cover for a spicy pulp or early vaudeville era magazine. Artwork is mindful of similar covers by Earle K . Bergey, Otto Grenier or H.J. Ward. Like much pulp cover art, this work is unsigned.
Artist: Unknown
A fun and decidedly unabashed, sexy pin-up calendar girl by Saint Paul native and Brown and Bigelow illustrator Paul Cernia. Image is titled High Pressure Cooker and labeled on back stretcher. There are numerous overpainted signings of the artists signature as he was seemingly trying to create a stylized version to go with his new found pin-up commissions. Many times these racy images of this era would fade into the canvas and leave nonessential, non-girl details ommitted. It is not clear if this piece is unfinished or completed as intended. Retains what would appear to be original plain handsome wood frame.
Artist: Paul Cernia
