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Curators' Picks: August 11 Pulp, Paperback, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Illustration Art Showcase Auction
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Sarahjane's Picks
Sarahjane Blum | Director of Illustration Art
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We are lucky enough to have aviation pulp covers going as far back as the 1920s in this upcoming sale, a number of which come from the estate of author Charles Verral and have never been publicly seen before. But for sheer dynamism, none beat Alex Schomburg’s Wings of the Underground, which appeared as the cover of the Spring 1944 issue of Sky Raiders.
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Clifford Simak’s City is a collection of interwoven far-future stories framed as the myths passed down through generations of the dog-society of earth that remained when humanity left the planet. But I look at this tender image by Pat Morrissey and want to nestle in for storytime myself.
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We are fortunate to have three inventive covers by the artist Jeff Lindberg in the sale, all of which have a nostalgic pull for me. The Computer that Ate My Brother stands out for how it captures the anxiety and wonder of the early computer age, and the archetype of the 1980s computer geek before the uniform of button-down shirts and acid-washed jeans gave way to the Silicon Valley vests of today.
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Pyramid Books published a number of my favorite pieces of paperback cover art in the 1950s. Their covers were often moodier and more daring than similar themes covered by their competitors. This example, Shadows of Shame, by Everett Raymond Kinstler, is classic Pyramid. It’s one of many pulp & paperback examples by Kinstler in the sale, direct from the estate of the artist.
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Meagen's Pick
Meagen McMillan | Senior Consignment Director, Illustration Art
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Harry Schaare has always brought a film noir pulp-like composition to his illustrations. This example however, has the perfect layering of intense contrasting colors, varying perspectives, and a sexy Miami Mobster tone. Whether the blonde bombshell is the target or the trap is up to interpretation.
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George B. Cutts studied with the Brandywine artists such as Howard Pyle and N.C. Wyeth. The artist is known for doing covers for Harper Brothers, including for a Mark Twain novel. However, this later work is in a completely different style than his mainstream works. The work is drenched in pulp themes and styling - from the jewels on the table, the knife through the door, and the put-upon-mug of the captain - the work screams pulp. We have yet to find the usage of the work, but this painting is surely a complete story.
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Ezriel's Picks
Ezriel Wilson | Cataloguer, Illustration Art
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This exciting acrylic on board work from Dean Ellis caught my eye with its precision and dynamic use of color. Dean Ellis, usually working in gouache or acrylic, largely contributed stunning Science fiction works for magazines and paperbacks, as well as completed a number of stamps for the United States Postal Service. The present work was created as one six for the United States Postal Service First Day covers. A First Day cover is a collectable envelope or postcard bearing a postage stamp postmarked on its official first day of issue. I had no clue what a First Day cover was and thought it was very interesting that there was a collector base specifically for this subject. Had this stunning work by Dean Ellis never crossed my desk, I wouldn't have had such a neat opportunity to
learn even more about the fascinating things that people collect!
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Time to Kill
is a gouache on board paperback cover by the prolific Robert Maguire that grabbed my attention with its action-packed scene. I am always a fan of an energetic paperback cover, especially for an intense thriller. This work stood out to me, as usually Maguire’s covers bear a femme fatale type. In the center foreground of the work two drenched masculine hands wrestle for the sleek gun angled diagonally as a smaller equally drenched male figure looms in the background. My favorite feature of this work is the male figure in the background whose hand is partially obscured by the gun. Stylistic choices like this always leave me wondering things like: did the artist read the book? Was this a spoiler? Could the covered hand allude to the main player of the most intense scene in the
book or even its ending? I will say Robert Maguire had a wonderful way of always leaving you wanting more, and this dynamic cover is no exception. Add this captivating example of his masterful storytelling to your collection today.
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Meagen McMillan
Senior Consignment Director,
Illustration Art
MeagenM@HA.com
(214) 409-1546
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Ezriel Wilson
Cataloguer,
Illustration Art
EzrielW@HA.com
(214) 409-1112
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