I was going through some ephemera and other papers that I had bought at auction some time ago when I stumbled on a variety of illustrations. They had likely been part of a box lot that I put aside and was now re-discovering.
Someone had cut out the illustrations from magazines and stored them neatly away. I wondered if they were intended to be used or enjoyed. I presumed that this was one of those hobbies that went with the era; the year 1936 was printed on several of the illustrations, most of which were magazine covers.
They were clipped during what was called the golden age of illustration when artists created wonderful covers for magazines and advertising materials. The dates of this period changes depending on whom you read – from the 1880s to the 1920s or 1930s or 1950s.
The previous owner had snipped off the names of the publications in most cases. Some of the illustrations were signed, including A. Agin, Vernon Grant (said to be one of the best who designed for 17 magazines), Maginel Wright Barney (also illustrated children’s books, sister of architect Frank Lloyd Wright), among others. Grant created the Snap! Crackle! Pop! characters for Kellogg’s Rice Krispies in 1932. He also illustrated nursery rhymes, including Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater.
What was just as interesting to me as the illustrations were the ads on the flip side of the pages. They were snapshots of how people lived, how they decorated their homes, fed their families and enjoyed themselves. At least as seen through the eyes of advertisers hoping to part them from their money.
Here’s a glimpse of some of the covers and ads: This is the first of three groups of illustrations. The others used animals and flowers.
