"Black Magic Holiday"   Lot no. 3524

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By Harold McCauley (1913 - 1977)

1955
22.00" x 30.00;" Framed 25.75" x 33.75"
Oil on Stretched Canvas
Signed Lower Right
SOLD

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Cover For Imaginative Tales- #3, January, 1955

This original oil on canvas painting, used as the cover for the January 1955 pulp digest, Imaginative Tales #3, shows a Vaudeville era magician and his pin-up girl assistant working a crowd and casting spells and presumably making things disappear. This was created to illustrate the interior story by Robert Bloch, titled Black Magic Holiday, the cover slug reads... Life A Bit Dull? Then Have Yourself A Ball! When Magicians Hold A Convention It's A - Black Magic Holiday". The illustration shows a sparkling pin-up "Mac Girl", in erotic risque attire lost in the moment. The artist loved working for The Greenleaf Publishing Company, and was a frequent illustrator for Imagination-Stories of Science Fiction, and their sister title, Imaginative Tales. McCauley always tried to outdo himself with the high-spirited works he created for this publishing house, which he nicknamed "Madge", we can see his immense commercial talent and artistic whimsy on display in this sparkling cover rendering.

In all regards just a defining example, handsomely framed in a Larson-Juhl gallery frame and sold with a complete edition of the Imaginative tales #3 - January, 1955.



Explore related art collections: $20,000 - $50,000 / Magazine Covers / Pin-Ups & Nudes / Women as Subjects / 1950s

See all original artwork by Harold McCauley

ABOUT THE ARTIST

 

The following comes from the artist's daughter, Kim McCauley:

 

My father, H. W. McCauley, was born 7-11-13 in Chicago, Illinois. He was an only son raised by his father and maternal grandmother as his mother died within months of his birth. He was an exceptionally kind person who always considered others first. His father was also known for his goodness.

 

Dad went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and apprenticed under Haddon Sunblom. Haddon and Dad used each other for models and Haddon used himself for the likeness of the Coca Cola Santa, he used my dad for the likeness for the Quaker Oats Man. My mother was also a model and that's how they met. She came by for a modeling job at his studio on Campbell St. and did not trust this setup. She kept the cab out front the whole time using up all the money she made on that job. Well, they were married about a year later so I guess she changed her mind about trusting him. They stayed married for the rest of dad's life, 26 years later.

 

Dad did the Coca Cola girls of the 50's called Mac Girls. Yes, mom was one of them.

 

Dad used to tell us wonderful stories of his youth and working at the Triganon Theater.