The 1950s and ’60s were a time of conformity, right? Well, leave it to Post cover artists to find the odd ones.
Thornton Utz
May 2, 1953
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.
Thornton Utz
May 18, 1957
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.
George Hughes
September 27, 1952
“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?
Richard Sargent
February 5, 1955
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.
Thornton Utz
May 20, 1961
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.
Richard Sargent
June 17, 1961
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.
Descriptions by Diana Denny.
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Comments
I have about 150 real Post covers dating in the ’50s and 60’s. They are in very good condition. is there a market for these? are you interested in purchasing them as they are suitable for framing.
It’s too bad the covers aren’t linked to larger versions like the text says. I’d love to see each close up!
Thornton Utz, one of my favorite artists. His top (’53) cover shows ingenuity by the man in the upper left corner; a perfect candidate for Astro Turf. Too bad it was still more than a decade away.
The man in the ’61 ‘Golfing’ cover looks like the green stuff is something he’s waiting for too, but doesn’t know it. Meanwhile he’s being judged by at least four neighbors he’s stuck in the middle with, yet seems nonchalant.