In case you might be wondering why I'm devoting so much space to George Wright, it's because his extraordinarily long and productive career has been largely ignored by those chronicling the story of illustration in the United States, which IMHO is the pictures-on-paper equivalent of what The Great American Songbook is to our popular music. And, besides, I really like his work.
This and the following two illustrations are from "The Majestic Movies," by Harrison Rhodes published in Harper's Monthly Magazine for January 1919. Click on this image to enlarge it.
Click on image to enlarge.
The following illustrations are from an article in Harper's Monthly Magazine for December 1920. Click on the images to enlarge them.
"There is no peace in Chicago."
"At that auction I met Uncle Sam." I have no idea what that refers to.
"The social life was concentrated round the village drug store." Don't forget that the year was 1920 and it was illegal in the entire country to purchase alcoholic beverages of any kind. A great many Americans had no other choice than to slake their thirsts with carbonated beverages, milk shakes and ice cream floats. I remember those little round marble-topped tables and the uncomfortable twisted wire chairs. It was in the days before air-conditioning and the shops were cooled by large electric fans. As recent as 60 years ago at the old Boston Post the press room was cooled by fans blowing across cakes of ice.
these are wonderful, so full of life. He should be remembered. Thank you!
Posted by: Xene | June 25, 2007 at 07:13 PM