Famous American Illustrators Shine at Heritage

Dallas, Texas: Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers (HGA) held their latest Illustrative Arts auction on March 4, 2005 in their Dallas, Texas headquarters. 192 bidders competed for 291 lots, 62 of them successfully. The sale realized $110, 963.51 for 180 lots sold (61.85% of the total). 11 lots were purchased after the auction by 6 bidders for a total of $10,472.98.

"From paperback covers to magazine art, this is an area that has seen a great deal of interest over the last few years," said Ed Jaster, Director of Acquisitions for HGA. "We're pleased that so many collectors have responded so strongly to this unique material."

Highlights of the sale included:

Frank Earle Schoonover (1877-1972) Original Magazine Story Illustration (1935). American Boy July, 1935, for Beaver Woman's Vision by James Willard Schultz. Caption: "There! She was coming! Stepping lightly, swinging her water bucket, and singing happily. 'Dawn Woman,' I cried. 'I want speech with you.'" Oil on canvas, approximately 36 x 38. Initialed and dated (35) middle right. A photo of the published version is included. REALIZED: $14,340.

Gillette Elvgren (1914-1980) Original Pin-up Art (1937-1942). Net Results, published by the Louis F. Dow Calendar Company, St. Paul, Minnesota. Oil on canvas on masonite, framed (27.5 x 24.5), sight size approximately 25 x 22. Not signed. Several published versions (matchbook covers and calendar prints) are included. Reproduced in Gil Elvgren All his glamorous American pin-ups (Martignette & Meisel), page 45 fig. 91, and in Elvgren His Life and Art (Collins & Elvgren), page 32. REALIZED: $7,767.50.

Harvey Dunn (1884-1952) Original Advertising Art (1927). For the General Electric Company, published in The Saturday Evening Post and National Geographic in 1927. Oil on board, framed (33 x 39), sight size approximately 23.5 x 29.5. Not signed. A letter of authenticity and a black and white example of each ad is included. REALIZED: $6,572.50.

Richard Lillis (1899-1995) Original Pulp Painting (1946)..44 Western Magazine August, 1946. Oil on canvas, approximately 30 x 21. Signed lower right. The signature is faded but legible. A color printer's proof of the published cover is included. REALIZED: $3,226.50.

Earl Steffa Moran (1893-1984) Original Pin-up Art (c.1956). Published by the Brown & Bigelow Calendar Company, St. Paul, Minnesota. Caption: "Now's the time For dreams of you; A pleasure fine, And wondrous too." Pastel on board, framed (28.5 x 22.5), sight size approximately 26 x 20. Signed lower right. An ink blotter featuring the published image and a color copy of a calendar page are included. REALIZED: $3,107.

James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960) Original Magazine Story Illustration (1935). Good Housekeeping 1935, for The Woolen Tree by Rebecca Hooper Eastman. Caption: "Ma was not rude; she was simply dignified as she said to the red faced man 'Excuse me, but we are expecting our rich Uncle Rob, and we are busy.' Pa was so proud of her that he swaggered." Pen and ink, framed (31 x 35), sight size approximately 21 x 26. Signed lower left. A photocopy of the published version is included. Exhibited: The Columbus Museum of Art, March 7 - April 18, 1976. REALIZED: $2,629.

Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers is currently accepting consignments for its next Fine Arts auction scheduled for May 11, 2005.

Enquiries for paintings, sculpture, photography and illustration should be directed to Ed Jaster, 800.872.6467 ext., 288, EdJ@HeritageGalleries.com. Enquiries for fine silver, art glass and decorative arts should be directed to Bryan Abbott, 800.872.6467 ext. 320, Bryan@HeritageGalleries.com.