“Model Three Masted Ship”

During the 1920s and ’30s, J.F. Kernan (1878-1958) illustrated nearly 30 Post covers. Some, such as this beautiful 1927 cover, depicted the seaside or old sailors. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, Joseph Francis Kernan attended the Eric Pape School of Art in Boston and later taught at the school before embarking on his art career.

“Hunter and Spaniel”

His art featured, as he described it, “the human side of outdoor sports, hunting, fishing, and dogs.”

His work also appeared on covers of major magazines of the time, including The Country Gentleman, Outdoor Life, and Collier’s Liberty. His art varied from the picturesque to wry comic situations.

“Baseball Batter”

Baseball was not a mere spectator sport for Kernan. He helped finance his art education for a period of time as a professional baseball player.

“ 1926 Fisk Tire Ad”

Like most illustrators of this era, Kernan did artwork for ads. Also with a baseball theme is this ad from 1926 for Fisk Tires, although, instead of a pro batter, we have a couple of boys about to get in trouble for watching a game through a peephole instead of paying admission—not an uncommon theme for the 1920s.

“Private Letter”

Another theme illustrators enjoyed was the nosy post office worker (or neighbor or party-line sharer). This one is from 1920.

Two years later Norman Rockwell did this Post cover of a nosy postal clerk.

“Women Must Give Their Ages”

The Rockwell resemblance appears in Kernan’s Country Gentleman covers. CG was a sister publication to the Post for many years.

In this cover it is 1922, and one supposes there must be a downside to women getting the vote.

“Tying on a Fly”

From humor back to his outdoorsman passions, one of Kernan’s finest works is this fisherman tying a fly from 1929. The color palette is subtle but stunning, and the rippling water looks good enough to jump into.

“100th Anniversary of Baseball” by Norman Rockwell

It would appear that this cover is historically inaccurate. The Saturday Evening Post decided that since Abner Doubleday “invented” the game of baseball in 1839, who better to commemorate the event in 1939 than America’s favorite artist, Norman Rockwell? Apparently the Doubleday story has no basis in truth, and the beginnings of baseball are rather nebulous. All this aside, we have to agree that the combination of the all-American pastime and the all-American artist is a happy one.

“Baseball Catcher” by J.C. Leyendecker

Giving life to this cover is none other than Rockwell’s friend and mentor, artist J.C. Leyendecker. This 1909 cover is not typical of Leyendecker’s often lavish and “artsy” style.

“Baseball Catcher Looking Up” by Robert Robinson

Where did it go? We love the catcher’s mitt in this 1910 cover from Robert Robinson.

“Gramps at the Plate” by Norman Rockwell

In this 1916 Rockwell cover, grandpa is taking no prisoners. We’re not sure how good a batter he is, but he’s one of the few players around in spats.

“Dad at Bat” by Alan Foster

Dad gets into the act in this 1929 cover by artist Alan Foster. A littler overdressed, but good stance, pops.

“Island Game” by Stevan Dohanos

The U.S. Marine Corps did not let a world war get in the way of a good game. Okay, a contentious game. In the background to the left is Lt. Howard Munce who told artist Stevan Dohanos about this game when he was stationed in the South Pacific. Lt. Munce was an artist as well, and later fought at Iwo Jima. Notice the Corsair in the background getting patched up. We don’t know if the final call favored the Marine Air Corps or the South Pacific League.