Is It Global Warming – or Just July?

Here’s a Post cover for each decade from 1910 to the 1960s to show that July never changes. You can click on any cover for a close-up.

Sweating Man Reading Thermometer – Robert Robinson – July 9, 1910

Sweating Man Reading Thermometer Robert Robinson July 9, 1910

A turn-of-the-century artist named Robert Robinson did many Post covers, a number of them featuring delightful old codgers like Mr. Sweltering here. The notice board from the Weather Bureau he’s reading says it’s going to be a “hot Thursday,” and he is a believer. Robinson is one of those artists we are unable to find information on, so if you have info on him, do share!

Swimming in Fountain – E. M. Jackson – July 24, 1926

Swimming in Fountain E. M. Jackson July 24, 1926

You probably wouldn’t get away with it today, but in the roaring twenties, cooling down in a public fountain was a cover idea for artist E. M. Jackson. It’s no swimming pool, but it sure looks refreshing. We’re not responsible for those of you who choose this method of seeking relief from the heat (not that we’d blame you).

Three Bathing Beauties – John LaGatta – July 8, 1933

Three Bathing Beauties John LaGatta July 8, 1933

A wonderful artist named John LaGatta did over twenty Saturday Evening Post covers, usually of willowy, elegant ladies. These bathing beauties grace a July 1933 cover. You can view John LaGatta covers (and those of many Post artists) at curtispublishing.com.

Joys of Summer – Norman Rockwell – July 13, 1940

Joys of Summer Norman Rockwell July 13, 1940

This doesn’t strike me as a typical Norman Rockwell cover, but it is a typical July dilemma – how to get the ice cream where it needs to go before it melts! Okay, which umbrella is sis under?

Billboard Painters – Stevan Dohanos – July 13, 1957

Billboard Painters Stevan Dohanos July 13, 1957

The billboard of polar bears and icebergs looks nice and cool, but the temperature is still 95 degrees for these hard-working painters. Too bad the air conditioner is just a painting and they can’t turn it on. Dohanos must have loved irony: In February of 1948, he did a Post cover of a billboard painter standing in the snow, trying vainly to warm up over a makeshift fire. The billboard? A tropical vacation advertisement with a lady in a swimsuit.

Unwelcome Pool Guests – Thornton Utz – July 22, 1961

Unwelcome Pool Guests Thornton Utz July 22, 1961

Ah, a nice, peaceful Sunday morning breakfast by the pool with my newspaper. Until Uncle Obnoxious and his station wagon full of kids (I count eight!) invade the scene. Artist Thornton Utz did about forty-five covers for the Post, and this is a prime example of a guy we can identify with. Maybe tomorrow morning at work will be peaceful…

1 Comment

July 10, 2010

One Comment ( Post a Comment )

Frank James Davis

Posted July 10, 2010 at 10:18 pm | Permalink

Agree that “Joys of Summer” is not a typical Rockwell. Because of the “artificial” colors of the beach umbrella background, this cover appears to be less a vivid, folksy illustration and more a pastel painting.
Also, of course, I like LaGatta’s lithe, lovely ladies–pronounced in unmistakable pastels.

Artists

America’s Artist

Norman Rockwell didn’t create his celebrated images using only brush and paint. They often took shape first as scenes that Rockwell literally acted out. Showing their appreciation for his storytelling talents, film directors George Lucas and Steven Spielberg share their private Rockwell collections with the Smithsonian for the upcoming exhibit Telling Stories.