Herbert Roese's "Babe"

Herbert Roese was one of the most prolific illustrators working in New York in the 1930s and 1940s. He illustrated many of author Thorne Smith's books. Smith was famous for his Topper series of novels, which, along with Roese's illustrations, were considered quite risqué in the 1930s and 1940s. This is the cover of a Pocket Book reprint and is copyright 1932 and 1934 by Thorne Smith and Doubleday Doran & Co. Inc.

Roese made a big splash in the old LIFE magazine with a series of illustrations for his character "Babe," published in the 1940s. I will date it for you once I find my copy of the magazine. You know how that goes, I'm sure. It's around here somewhere. This is sort of a mini-graphic novel. Roese did all types of illustration for advertising agencies and publishers, but I like his women best of all. Thanks to LIFE and its editors and art directors for putting together such a good book. All the images are copyright Time Life, Inc. for whatever date is involved. Click on all the images to enlarge them.

My apologies for the poor quality of reproduction. I hope you can read the text. I'll keyboard the copy once I find the magazine.