Armstrong Rolf Illus (1 results)

Condition: Very Good. Armstrong, Rolf (illustrator). First Edition. Armstrong, Rolf. First Edition. American Beauty reproduced in tinto-gravure from the original pastel by Rolf Armstrong. Brown & Bigelow is a company based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, that sells branded apparel and promotional merchandise, still producing. The company was founded in 1896 by Herbert Huse Bigelow and St. Paul based printer, Hiram Brown. Bigelow was convicted of tax evasion in 1924 and sentenced two three years in Leavenworth Penitentiary, but only served eight months. Brown and Bigelow are known for producing advertising calendar, as this example, but also employing illustrators as Norman Rockwell for the Boy Scouts of America calendars. This example was produced posthumously, as Bigelow died in 1933. Rolf Armstrong (April 21, 1889 - February 22, 1960) was an American commercial artist specializing in glamorous depictions of female subjects. He is best known for his magazine covers and calendar art. In 1960 the New York Times dubbed him the "creator of the calendar girl." His commercial career extended from 1912 to 1960, the great majority of his original work being done in pastel. Around 1939 he landed a lucrative contract to produce exclusively for Brown & Bigelow, the largest calendar publisher at that time. Under this contract, which was renewed throughout the forties and fifties, he produced approximately six original pieces per year (fewer in later years). American Beauty is described as "The glamour girl as depicted by Armstrong is described as "beautiful of face and form.always vivacious and often mysterious, exuding romance and subtle sexuality." This large format image featues a lovely brunette in a satin dress and full 1940s style hair and makeup. Produced for the 50th anniversary for Brown and Bigelow. Chipped, creased, clipped upper, toning/tape to verso, and small closed tears, pinholes, else bright. Large format full color with pasted on flap, tri-folded, printed title caption on verso. Approx. 5'x3' tinto-gravure.