More Clothes to Clean

Although he was already a prominent illustrator by the late 1940s, George Hughes took his first crack at The Saturday Evening Post’s cover in 1948 (left)—and it was a smash hit right out of the ballpark! Reader response secured his position as one of the Post’s main illustrators alongside the likes of Norman Rockwell, John Falter, Stevan Dohanos, and Richard Sargent. “That copy arrived just as I have completed a washing much the same as pictured,” wrote one woman. “Only a blue-jeaned tomboy sister alongside junior is needed to get a complete story from my angle.”

Determined to be accurate, Hughes spent an entire day studying clothespins for the illustration. He knew if he didn’t get every detail right, there would be a barrage of letters to the editor telling him so. Employing a neighbor boy as the model, Hughes completed the painting. It was returned for a correction: “The editors asked me to ‘clean up the boy a bit, since he isn’t old enough to get that dirty.’ Actually, he was fully that dirty. But I pleased both the editors and his real mother by cleaning him up a little.” It was a fine line artists walked between pleasing, or at least not displeasing, Post readers and editors.

Good Guys Wear White Hats

“Young Sammy Sixgun, using the classic hat-over-the-rock routine, will now restore law and order to the old TV-West,” wrote Post editors of this 1957 cover (left). Blissfully unaware of the drama unfolding around him is artist John Falter’s own dog, Ralph, snoozing on the couch.

John Falter (1910-1982) was born in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and began sketching at the ripe old age of two—on a chalkboard his mother gave him. “His first commission came from a local soda shop that paid the budding artist in chocolate milk shakes for a well executed mural,” according to a 1991 article in the Post. He continued “to draw, sketch, and paint at an inspired pace for the rest of his life, completing, by his own estimate, more than 5,000 paintings.”

Playing House

This January 1953 cover (left) shows that Santa’s recent visit left some perfect items for playing house. Though contemporary Post editors saw them as lessons in “learning how to boil water without forgetting it and melting the pot down into the stove, and other complex principles of homemaking.” The editors noted, “The only uneducational toys in sight are the dolls, for they are not sniveling or hollering.”

Stevan Dohanos (1907-1994) was born in Lorain, Ohio, the son of Hungarian immigrants. His artistic career began, uniquely enough, in a steel mill. Employed as an office boy, Dohanos would copy the artwork he found on calendars and sell them to co-workers for 50 cents. Encouraged by family and friends, he took a two-year home study course and then went on to Cleveland Art School. His style is classified as American Realist, depicting the design and form of everyday objects like fire hydrants and milk bottles. He illustrated 123 Post covers between 1942 and 1958.

Hat Bridge

It’s difficult to say whether this young man at left will grow up to be a fireman or an engineer, for the precocious one structured what Post editors termed “an overpass” through which “he is lickety-tooting down a through way to a conflagration,” adding, “Heaven help that poor fedora in his path.” While giving the lad points for ingenuity, they couldn’t help but speculate what would come to pass when the guests come to sort out their property. “Those without a rollicking sense of humor,” they concluded, “may become a bit indignant—mad hatters, let’s call ’em.”

Like many artists, Thronton Utz (1914-2000) began his Post career illustrating short stories. His first cover came seven years later in 1949, and soon his art was known for its humorous twist on everyday life.

A Day in the Life of a Boy

It’s a busy day for Charles Marsh Jr., the model for this cover: Get up; brush teeth; then, of course, there’s that bothersome school to deal with. Baseball and a charming lass provide diversions until it’s time to go home, do homework, and turn in.

Marsh modeled for Rockwell from the time he was a baby until he was 12 when Rockwell moved from Arlington, Vermont, to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. (Hear what it was like to work with America’s best-loved artist in “A Day in the Life of Norman Rockwell Model Chuck Marsh.”)

A good friend to him, Marsh considered the artist outgoing and community-minded. But no one knew just how community-minded until Rockwell donated the original painting A Day in the Life of a Boy to the Community Club for their annual raffle. Today, Rockwell’s Willie Gillis’ Package from Home, up for auction in Chicago, may fetch $3 to 5 million. But in the early 1950s, this particular painting went for a grand total of 50 cents.

A few months after the cover was published, there was a follow-up called A Day in the Life of a Girl, which featured Marsh in what he called “the toughest time I had posing”—because he was supposed to kiss the girl. For that story and other Rockwell kids of the ’50s, see “Rockwell in the 1950s–Part I of III.”

Jungle Gym

At left, the upside-down boy on top may look foolish to adult eyes, but he is King of the Jungle (gym) to the little blonde he is trying to impress. Once George Hughes became an established artist, he was able to move to Arlington, Vermont, and away from his native city, New York. He liked the idea of raising his children in a small community; he and his wife had five girls. There was the added bonus of being in an artists’ community, where he befriended Norman Rockwell and other Post artists.

Water Fight by Thornton Utz

First on the agenda is to start an all-out water war with the neighborhood kids. Artist Thornton Utz knew that any of these munchkins would fight a bath, but tackle them with hoses and the game is on. Your report will say you coordinated neighborhood activities. The adults clearing the sidewalk may not be especially fond of this particular activity, but your report won’t reflect that. This cover is from 1951.

Watering Father by Richard Sargent

“I thought of eco-friendly ways to help keep everyone cool,” your report will state. The shower will invigorate Dad, right? This 1955 cover shows why Dick Sargent was one of our favorite artists. What it doesn’t show is what happens seconds after this scene, for which we are thankful.

Bicycle Tricks by Thornton Utz

Your teacher will be impressed you made time for healthy exercise. You may need to click on the cover for a close-up, but basically, people are clearing a path for Hurricane Harry—not that he’s giving them much choice. But your report will show you took proper safety precautions—for yourself. In this 1955 cover, at least he’s wearing a helmet. It’s the safety of everyone else that is in question.

Dog Days of Summer by John Clymer

And it’s really nice you took time out on a lovely June day for watching the youngsters. This beautiful cover was by John Clymer, who dressed up dozens of Post covers with gorgeous landscapes. Thoughts of school are as far away as the farthest blue hills in this painting. But keep up the notes. Free babysitting will look good in your report.

Boy in Inner Tube by Eugene Iverd

“I kept it ‘green’ by finding uses for old items,” you’ll note. In this case, an old inner tube becomes a flotation device. This is from 1936 by artist Eugene Iverd, who did wonderful paintings of boys. For more of his great covers, enter “Iverd” in the search box. “Not only a serious student of art,” the Post noted in an August 2000 feature on the artist, “Iverd was also a teacher of art, first to wounded soldiers after the first world war and then to high school students.”

Piano Practice by George Hughes

“I faithfully kept up my music lessons,” your report will proudly conclude. It probably won’t mention that your mind was on swimming as you went through your Mozart exercises. Sure, Mozart had mastered minuets by the age of 4, but did he have a swimming pool waiting for him on a hot day? I think not. Practicing in your swim gear still counts.

Painting the Patio Green – Thornton Utz

The way Harry figures it, you can spend all summer planting, mowing, and watering—or you can just paint the dadgum patio green and relax in your hammock for the duration of nice weather. Admit it, you wish you had thought of it. This was by cover artist Thornton Utz, who apparently had a thing about yardwork.

Spring Yardwork – Thornton Utz

Thornton Utz, the artist who painted the above cover, has yet another option to yardwork. Just let the darn thing go. While industrious neighbors are raking, shoveling, planting, and so forth, Joe just sits back, communing with nature and catching the game on his portable TV. Well, communing with crabgrass. If you click on the cover for a close-up view, you’ll see he even has a fan rigged up to blow cool air from a large block of ice. Hey, when watching the game in living black and white, no comfort is overlooked.

The Tuba Next Door – George Hughes

“I’m all for free spirits,” thinks the blonde lady leaning out her window, “until one moves in next door!” What’s moving in next door is a big bass drum and tuba. What, you got something against music, lady?

Violin Practice – Richard Sargent

Perhaps nosy blonde lady above can learn something from the kid down the street. Billy is not yet enamored by the sounds of the violin, but was told he has to practice an hour a day. According to the timer on the chair, he has so far gotten in about five minutes. The ear muffs should help.

I’d Rather Be Golfing – Thornton Utz

I’d Rather Be Golfing shows us a neighbor saying to heck with yardwork by, guess who? Yes, apparently cover artist Thornton Utz used much of his artistic creativity in devising ways to avoid lawn maintenance. One has to admire a man like that.

Cold Water Swimmer – Richard Sargent

The water temperature is 50 degrees and even the lifeguard is bundled up. But there’s always one guy, isn’t there? Otherwise, there would be no need for a lifeguard on this nippy day. I’m thinking old Smiley here was the same kid who, just before the bell rang to dismiss class, would remind the teacher she hadn’t assigned homework yet.

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…

May Queen – J.C. Leyendecker – 5/15/37

We aren’t going to argue with her. This 1937 cover by artist J.C. Leyendecker shows a woman on a mission and she’ll take no prisoners. She stands on a pedestal as the “May Queen” and we suspect we could all use her about now.

Scrubbing the Floor – J.C. Leyendecker – 4/1/39

Another of Leyendecker’s cleaning women is taking no nonsense, either. This 1939 cover shows the man of the house dutifully (fearfully?) getting his tootsies out of the way. The floor must be scrubbed. If you don’t want wet socks, move ‘em, buster!

Cleaning Up after Muddy Husband – Harold Brett – 3/13/20

Another hubby is feeling the heat of spring cleaning, this time on a Country Gentleman cover from 1920. If you come in my house with your muddy boots, mister, be prepared to have a sweeper follow you.

Rug Beater – J.C. Leyendecker – 5/11/40

Man, this Leyendecker guy had everybody cleaning, even Junior! Before he can go play baseball, the youngster from this 1940 cover has to beat the rug. And the dust flies! It’s probably good batting practice.

Spring Cleaning – John Falter – 3/26/49

We love the house on this 1949 cover by artist John Falter. This is one busy household! Hauling out trash, washing windows, cleaning rugs. And a passerby who just can’t help nosing through the trash for treasure. That’s a rather precarious position for the poor guy trying to get a hold of the storm window. The artist said he would go through this routine with his father every spring and “invariably a sudden wind would come up at precisely the wrong moment,” bending his father back at a perilous angle. We happy to report the elder Mr. Falter never toppled off the ladder.

Window Screens – Thornton Utz – 4/10/54

Artist Thornton Utz shows us an unhappy camper. Okay, an unhappy screen cleaner from 1954. Buck up, buddy: the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and cleaning is good exercise. Somehow, we don’t think our pep talk is helping.