Laurence Herndon (American, 1880-1961)

Paintings

Who is painter and illustrator Laurence Herndon?

Laurence Herndon was a commercial artist and painter of pulp magazine covers who is perhaps best known for his painting, The Land of the Hidden Men which was sold at auction by Heritage Auctions for over $43,000. Herndon was something of a mystery to many of his contemporaries. He was 37 years old by the time he got a break in the pulp world, but between the years of 1918 to 1940 he produced some of the most interesting covers in the industry. His pieces are full of bright colors, far-flung locales, and - above all - action.

Laurence Herndon’s work was featured on the covers of popular magazines like Argosy, Complete Stories, Over the Top, Sea Stories, Top-Notch, and Western Story -- among others. Additionally, his commercial work included illustrations for Cosmopolitan and Everybody’s. He taught illustration for many years at the New York School of Applied Design for Women, which was later renamed the New York Phoenix School of Design. He would continue to teach until the end of his life.

What kind of art does Laurence Herndon make?

Laurence Herndon is best known for his pulp fiction covers. These covers represented a wide range of genres, from western to war stories. Herndon was able to captivate in a single image, telling a story full of romance, betrayal, and action. His pieces are full of bright colors and beautiful portrayals of light and shadow. Herndon’s best work is represented by his adventure story illustrations, which showcase his ability to portray movement and kinetic energy -- whether it be from a man, animal, or a monster.

How did painter Laurence Herndon get started?

Laurence Herndon was born in 1880 in Carey, Ohio. An only child, Herndon’s family was solidly middle-class, operating a grocery store in nearby Galion for his childhood. His father died while he was still in high school, so Herndon ran the grocery store (along with his mother) from the age of 20 to 22. He began studies at the Institute of Chicago, showing such promise that he was able to work as an instructor at the school by the end of his senior year to help offset costs. He found work hard to come by after completing school, but eventually landed some commercial work after a move to New York in the 1910s. Herndon’s big break came in 1918 when he began producing work for a number of pulp publications, including Blue Book and Complete Stories. His teaching career began in earnest in 1934, toward the end of his illustrating career, and continued until his death in 1961.

How much are Laurence Herndon paintings worth?

Laurence Herndon paintings can be worth anywhere from $4,000 to over $40,000, depending on the piece. Often, Laurence Herndon paintings are hard to find -- much of his work was burned when his studio caught on fire in the 1950s. That said, Herndon’s pieces do have a history of performing well at auction. A Laurence Herndon painting sold at a Heritage Auction for $43,750 for the piece The Land of Hidden Men, Blue Book Magazine Pulp Cover (1931) on October 26th, 2013. This outperformed the high estimate by 45%.

Where to buy Laurence Herndon paintings for sale?

See works for sale below. Why buy from Heritage? Art buyers feel confident because our experts know the market and put careful valuations on artwork for sale. We make the bidding process easier to help you expand your art collection.

How to value Laurence Herndon’s paintings?

The best way to value art is to compare past auction prices for similar works. View past sale prices below. When you’re ready to sell, contact Heritage Auctions to request an auction estimate of the likely selling price at auction. If you need a formal written appraisal for estate planning or insurance, please contact our Appraisal Services Department.