“Men Arguing About Teddy Roosevelt”

We don’t know much about artist Robert Robinson (1886-1952) and even less about the white-bearded models who posed for at least 15 of the illustrator’s 38 Saturday Evening Post covers. The delightful old geezers argued politics, drove like demons and tried to understand new-fangled things like biplanes and modern art. Enjoy!

“Elderly Couple in Automobile”

“Watching Airplanes With Binoculars”

“Cubist Painting”

“Subzero”

“Cool Drink”

Reprints of these and many other Saturday Evening Post covers are available at Art.com.

“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.

Daydreaming Women by Constantin Alajalov by Constantin Alajalov

This was actually a foldout cover from 1959. Bored with the demands of the office, this worker is dreaming of a home life with a tall, dark and handsome prince who helps with the dishes (she is dreaming). But be careful what you wish for! Tall, dark and et cetera just might turn out to be an oaf who watches TV while the housework piles up and the baby is squalling, leaving you to daydream about a nice, cushy office job.

Schoolboy Hero by Robert Robinson

World War I was going strong, and dreaming of being a war hero was more satisfying than studying. There may be dangers on the battlefield, but I’m not liking Red’s chances with that ruler.

“Thinking of the Girl Back Home” by Norman Rockwell

These sailors are in the thick of military service, and one of them is dreaming of back home. Or, more specifically, of the girl back home. The tattooed, seasoned older sailor has seen it all. Artist Norman Rockwell, rejected for being underweight, stuffed himself until he was accepted by the Navy…where he navigated the dangerous waters of Charleston, South Carolina. Notice the proud signature.

“Escape to Adventure” by Norman Rockwell

Entrapped by tedium, Rockwell’s clerk of 1924 is dreaming of adventure on the high seas. The famous artist also did the cover for the following week (below) as a response to the clerk’s dreams.

Thoughts of Home by Norman Rockwell

One might argue that dissatisfaction is an inevitable human trait. The rough-hewn pirate is dreaming rather wistfully, of all things, a cozy little cottage in the Cotswolds. Perhaps we are just born dreamers. Alas, the grass is always greener on the other side.

Shamrock Chapeau – Charles Kaiser

It is 1943 and you need ration coupons to buy everything from gasoline to sugar to clothing. Aye, and this foolish lass spent her clothing coupons for a Kelly green hat for St. Pat’s Day? Well, the way she looks in shamrocks and green…perhaps she wasn’t so silly after all. Artist Charles Kaiser painted five Post covers in 1942 and 1943. This is one of the prettiest ever.

First Crocus – Norman Rockwell

The official title is “First Crocus” but I call this cover, “Hey, Honey!” I am just as goofy and thrilled each year when I see that first bloom peeking through the cold ground. Rockwell worked on this cover in the dead of winter, and it was a challenge indeed to find a crocus. The artist called greenhouse after greenhouse to no avail. He finally had one shipped from a swanky New York florist that specialized in out-of-season blooms. The tiny pot of crocus cost a tidy bundle, but Norman was a stickler for detail.

Young Woman in Wind

Readers have asked if we know who the artist models were on Post covers. The answer is, almost never. But this young lady with the enviably long, thick, wavy hair showed up on several covers by artist W.H. Coffin. This time, she’s holding on to her hat in the March wind. If you have questions on Post covers or Post artists, e-mail me at: d.denny@satevepost.org or leave a comment below.

Wind Blowing Man’s Umbrella Inside-Out

A classic cover from March 1911 shows what the March winds can really do. Guess what, mister? A whole century later umbrellas still do this!

St. Paddy Cake for Policemen

The Irish cop may be a stereotype, but the boys in the 17th Precinct will love this! If this charming lady wants to bake a cake for our editorial department, we’ll all gladly claim we’re Irish, too. Come to think of it, on March 17th we ARE all Irish. Reprints of Post covers are available at curtispublishing.com and, as always, we enjoy reader comments.

No Hunting – Douglass Crockwell

I’ve always gotten a chuckle from this 1939 cover by artist Douglass Crockwell. No only did this hunter ignore the warning, he’s mad enough to add his own commentary – under the big “NO HUNTING” letters he’s scribbling, “You’re telling me.” Notice that the artist simply signed his covers “Douglass”. This was to avoid confusion with another artist – some guy with a similar last name.

No Hunting – Leslie Thrasher

When this old guy says “No Hunting,” he means it! One might say there have been flagrant violators, since the sign is riddled with bullet holes. We’ve had some cover artists who were wonderful at painting old codgers, and Leslie Thrasher was one of them. This great cover is from 1914.

Springer Spaniels – J.F. Kernan

I’d know that white mustache anywhere; this old guy has been in many beautiful J.F. Kernan covers. This time he’s dressed for the hunt in 1930 and picking up the spaniels for the job. When the little guys grow up, they’ll be great hunters, too.

Duck Hunters – Robert Robinson

Now we all know that hunters and fishermen are the most honest and upright of sportsmen. But there’s not only this 1911 cover of an unsuccessful hunter buying someone else’s catch, there’s a cover a few years later depicting a fisherman doing the same thing. Who wants to go home after hours of hunting or fishing with nothing to show for it?

Patient Dog – John Atherton

This is a sweet one. World War II has taken the man of the house away and this beautiful dog is waiting patiently for his master to return and take him hunting. Not all of those waiting at home are two-legged.

Hunting Couple on Walk – J. Hennesy

It’s a crisp autumn day, and together time for this couple means hunting – or at least walking in the woods. Country Gentleman magazine was a sister publication to the Post for many years and often shared the same artists.

Speeding Oldsters by Wm. Meade Prince

“Henry! I TOLD you we were going too fast!” Who knew there were motorcycle cops in 1925? Well, there’s one in this rear-view mirror. The Country Gentleman magazine was a sister publication to The Saturday Evening Post. On this cover, Henry is clearly having the time of his life, tooling along at thirty miles per hour. Fun’s over, buddy.

Elderly Couple in Automobile by Robert Robinson

What is with the oldsters these days? At least the men. We’ve shown you some delightful old codgers by artist Robert Robinson in the past, and this one has a lead foot. And he’s scaring the wits out of the Mrs. She has a restraining hand on his arm, but seems too scared to say anything. But just wait and see if the old fool gets his supper tonight.

Exhilaration by Norman Rockwell

Who’s enjoying the speeding now? Rockwell turns the tables and shows a young lady who is thrilled at the wild rumble seat ride. The dog, too, seems to enjoy the wind in his ears. The poor guy, however, is just trying to hang on to his hat. If you slow down enough to read the cover notes, you’ll see that the Post boasted some pretty impressive writers, too.

Excuse My Dust by Norman Rockwell

This family is pretty impressed that their Ford is outrunning the fancy-schmancy, more expensive car. The models were the Campion family from New Rochelle, where Norman Rockwell lived. Rockwell often used friends and neighbors for his paintings. Dave Campion ran a news store. We would have loved to see the customer’s faces when they purchased their copy of the Post with Mr. Campion speeding by on the cover! We’ll see him again.

World’s Fair or Bust by John E. Sheridan

Love this colorful cover. Apparently there was something going on in New York in 1939, and the men in the yellow car are in a hurry to get there – “World’s Fair or Bust”. The lady in the other car evidently didn’t “bust,” we’re happy to report, and is returning from the fair. Let’s hope the speeding guys don’t get bust–ed. Okay, that’s a reach, but I couldn’t help but notice that the long arm of the law awaits (below).

Welcome to Elmville by Norman Rockwell

Meet the long arm of the law. Look familiar? The squinty eyes threw me off, but it’s our old buddy Dave Campion, taking time off from his newsstand once again to pose for Rockwell (see Excuse My Dust above). The idea for the painting came from a real-life incident. Rockwell was traveling through Amenia, New York “back in the days when towns paid their taxes with speeders’ fines, and the Amenia cop really nailed me—right along the welcome sign!” So as you bemoan your speeding ticket, dear reader, remember that you are in good company.

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

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

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

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

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

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…