Dean Cornwell: Dean of Illustrators by Patricia Janis Broder, published by Collector's Press. Reprint of 1978 edition, with new preface. 238 pages.
This big book is a beauty. Cornwell wasn't a pulp illustrator, but he illustrated stories in the slick magazines -- primarily Cosmopolitan, but also Red Book, Good Housekeeping, Harper's Bazaar, Hearst's International, The Saturday Evening Post -- by writers that are known to pulp fans: Achmed Abdullah, Peter B. Kyne, and Owen Wister, among others. And the beauty of Cornwell's illustrations influenced many, many illustrators, including those who worked in the pulps. And anyone who enjoys the illustrated book editions of pulp westerns will enjoy viewing the many western illustrations featured in this tome.
There's a preface by Norman Rockwell, an introduction by Walt Reed, and an excellent 17-page biographical sketch that will fully introduce Cornwell to those just encountering his work. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, worked at the Chicago Tribune, studied with Howard Pyle-trained Harvey Dunn, and in 1916 truly began his professional illustrative career with work in Red Book.
This book is filled with gorgeous color plates. Highly recommended to those interested in 20th Century illustration and the masters of that field.
You can purchase Dean Cornwell: Dean of Illustrators at Amazon. Just click here.
Posted by ds at October 2, 2002 12:44 PM
