The Saturday Evening Post » Howard Scott

Classic Covers: World War II

Diana Denny — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:26:54 +0000

“Jungle Commando” by Mead Schaeffer

: “Jungle Commando”
by Mead Schaeffer
From October 14, 1942

The great artist Mead Schaeffer (1898-1980) worked as a war correspondent for The Saturday Evening Post, depicting in cover after cover the daily life of the military man. Schaeffer worked hard for authenticity: he hitched a ride on a submarine, a Coast Guard patrol boat, and various aircraft for his over sixteen World War II covers.

“Medic Treating Injured in Field” by Mead Schaeffer

: “Medic Treating Injured in Field”
by Mead Schaeffer
March 11, 1944

This 1944 illustration, again by Schaeffer, is a striking reminder of the role of the brave medic in the midst of battle. Schaeffer felt honor-bound to depict the real world of the soldier. But a cover from later that same year, which we show below, depicts a more relaxed side.

“Barn Dance” by Mead Schaeffer

: “Barn Dance”
by Mead Schaeffer
November 25, 1944

A well-deserved break at a barn dance is the only war cover Schaeffer did showing a fun side of the times.

“Baby Booties at Boot Camp” by Howard Scott

: “Baby Booties at Boot Camp”
by Howard Scott
June 17, 1944

Artist Howard Scott also did a number of covers during World War II—usually of the lighter side. A cover bound to make you go “awww,” the story here is clear: It’s a boy!

“Soldier or Sailor” by John Newton Howitt

: “Soldier or Sailor”
by John Newton Howitt
October 19, 1940

This 1940 cover by artist John Newton Howitt shows a twist on the old saw about a sailor having a gal in every port. Tumbling from the lady’s purse is a photo of a soldier. Wartime is hell, buddy.

“The Homecoming G.I.” by Norman Rockwell

: “The Homecoming G.I.”
by Norman Rockwell
May 25, 1945

“It was of course very gratifying for me when this painting was selected by the U.S. Treasury for the official poster of the Eighth War Bond Drive,” said Norman Rockwell. The family is rushing out to greet the returning soldier, including the dog and … could mother’s arms be open any wider? The whole neighborhood is delighted in the scene. Notice the shy girl next door waiting patiently to see her sweetheart. You can click on the cover for a close-up of this classic.

For more Rockwell WWII covers, see: “The All-American Soldier: Willie Gillis” and “Thanks Robert Buck, Good-bye Willie Gillis.”

Classic Covers: World War II The Saturday Evening Post

Classic Covers: The Art of the Haircut

Diana Denny — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:52:11 +0000

“Woman Gets Bob at Barbershop” – E.M. Jackson

"Woman Gets Bob at Barbershop"
E.M. Jackson
Country Gentleman January 17, 1925

Females these days think they can waltz into a man’s territory and get their hair bobbed! What next? In this case the cover is from Country Gentleman (a sister publication to the Post) from 1925. Waiting impatiently (notice the pocket watch) is a disapproving customer.

“Couple in Barber Chairs” – E.M. Jackson

"Couple in Barber Chairs"
E.M. Jackson
May 10, 1930

The same artist, E.M. Jackson, did this charming cover for the Post five years later. Seems as though they’re examining their new dos, but look at their mirrors. They’re checking each other out!

“Bernice Bobs Her Hair” – Coles Phillips

"Bernice Bobs Her Hair"
Coles Phillips
November 6, 1920

Alas, this lovely lass is having haircut remorse. Artist Coles Phillips worked mostly for Life magazine, but a few of his lithe beauties graced the covers of The Saturday Evening Post.

“Comical Haircut” – Howard Scott

"Comical Haircut"
Howard Scott
February 27, 1943

Talk about haircut remorse! Really, the client can get carried away with comics, but the barber is another matter altogether. The style and humor of this 1943 cover suggests Norman Rockwell, but it was by an artist named Howard Scott. However, this was the issue that introduced Rockwell’s famous Four Freedoms paintings.

“Barber Getting Haircut” – Stevan Dohanos

"Barber Getting Haircut"
Stevan Dohanos
January 26, 1946

Stevan Dohanos was a great artist who did over 120 Post covers, and this was his barbershop in Westport, Connecticut. “A half dozen other well-known illustrators get their hair cut” in this shop, the editors noted, “which will surprise a good many, who might suppose that a barber in an artist’s colony would starve to death.” How would the local barbers like the cover, speculated our sassy editors? “Dohanos’ next haircut will tell.”

“Butch’s Haircut” – Albert Staehle

"Butch’s Haircut"
Albert Staehle
January 31, 1948

For us kiddies who don’t remember the 40s, let me explain something: This adorable cocker spaniel named Butch appeared on about 25 Saturday Evening Post covers. Readers couldn’t wait to see what the pooch would be up to next. The artist, Albert Staehle, got the idea for this cover from a little girl in the park. “I have a picture on my wall of a dog just like that,” she said. “He is chewing on a slipper.” The artist explained that this was the same dog. “The dog in the picture is neat,” the little art critic observed. “This dog is all rough on top.” Unperturbed, the artist said, “Well, maybe Butch needs a haircut.” The rest is Saturday Evening Post history.

Questions and comments about Saturday Evening Post covers are always welcome.

Classic Covers: The Art of the Haircut The Saturday Evening Post

Classic Covers: Thanks, Dad!

Diana Denny — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 13:11:07 +0000

Father’s Day might be a good time to remember: You weren’t always an easy kid to deal with.

“Early Morning Feeding” by Howard Scott

"Early Morning Feeding"
Howard Scott
January 27, 1945

Sydney Field, copywriter for an ad agency and a short story writer, was having lunch with Post artist Howard Scott one day. It struck the artist that his friend would make a great befuddled dad on a Post cover. As his soup grew cold, he studied and sketched his lunch companion, and the next thing we knew, the writer was on the cover of our favorite magazine in January 1945 having a bad “heir” day.

“Swing Set” by Amos Sewell

"Swing Set"
Amos Sewell
June 16, 1956

Another Post cover artist, Amos Sewell, saw a father struggling to put together a swing set—and another Saturday Evening Post cover was born. We can understand the impatience of the kids, but for safety’s sake and the sake of their innocent little ears, perhaps they should stand farther back. This is from 1956.

“Sleepy Inning” by Earl Mayan

"Sleepy Inning"
Earl Mayan
April 23, 1955

I love this cover from 1955. It’s tied up at the top of the ninth, but the game is called for Dad on account of a conked-out kid. Well, pops, there’s always the radio. Artist Earl Mayan did ten Post covers depicting life in the suburban 1950s, including the next one.

“Amusement Park Carousel” by Earl Mayan

"Amusement Park Carousel"
Earl Mayan
August 9, 1958

In an amusement park in 1958, Dad is anything but amused. That string of tickets he’s wearing declares this is only the beginning. As he risks whiplash on the Whip or tries not to toss his cookies on the Screamer, he dreams of what a great day this would be on the golf course. Face it; you owe him for this one.

“First Prom Dress” by Kurt Ard

"First Prom Dress"
Kurt Ard
April, 18 1959

Speaking of owe… is that the going price for a prom dress these days? Poor pops—he not only has to foot the bill, he probably had to sit through the modeling of sixteen frocks… before mother and daughter decided on the first one after all.

“Fathers’ Homework” by John Falter

"Fathers' Homework"
John Falter
May 7, 1960

“If one furrow-browed parent spends x hours failing to solve the quadratic equations of one boy,” asked the editors of the Post in 1960, “how long would it take two furrow-browed fathers to fail to solve the quadratic equation of two boys?” Hey, you, kid in the red sweater—the smirk is not helping. Artist John Falter admitted to being hopeless at algebra. No matter. He solved the problem of what to do for a Saturday Evening Post cover 129 times.

“Brushing Their Teeth” by Amos Sewell

"Brushing Their Teeth"
Amos Sewell
January 29, 1955

Dad seems to be waiting patiently in this 1955 cover—but if he doesn’t get in to shave soon so he can get to work, there will be no toothpaste for anybody. So, dads, for your patience, attempts at homework, baseball games, and prom dresses… we humbly thank you and wish you the best ever Father’s Day!

Classic Covers: Thanks, Dad! The Saturday Evening Post

The Saturday Evening Post » Howard Scott

Classic Covers: World War II

“Jungle Commando” by Mead Schaeffer

“Jungle Commando” by Mead Schaeffer From October 14, 1942

“Medic Treating Injured in Field” by Mead Schaeffer

“Medic Treating Injured in Field” by Mead Schaeffer March 11, 1944

“Barn Dance” by Mead Schaeffer

“Barn Dance” by Mead Schaeffer November 25, 1944

“Baby Booties at Boot Camp” by Howard Scott

“Baby Booties at Boot Camp” by Howard Scott June 17, 1944

“Soldier or Sailor” by John Newton Howitt

“Soldier or Sailor” by John Newton Howitt October 19, 1940

“The Homecoming G.I.” by Norman Rockwell

“The Homecoming G.I.” by Norman Rockwell May 25, 1945