Cover Collection: Back to School

Classrooms may have changed from pencils to PowerPoint, but the Saturday Evening Post has always been there to witness sending our kids back to school. 

 

Cover
Back to School 
Robert C. Kauffmann 
September 11, 1937 

 

Robert C. Kauffmann painted five covers for the Post, on a variety of subjects from pets to water skiers. With their backs to the viewer, we can only guess what these two are feeling about the first day of school.  

 

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Growing Boy 
Frances Tipton Hunter 
September 16, 1939 

 

Frances Tipton Hunter was one of the most nationally recognized artists in Post history, depicting childhood in a style similar to Norman Rockwell. Most kids grow about 2 inches each year, so this mother likely has a lot of work ahead of her. 

 

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School Bus 
Stevan Dohanos 
September 2, 1944 

 

This is one time when the kids look happier than the dogs do about going to school.  

 

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Flowers for Teacher 
Stevan Dohanos 
September 7, 1946 

 

When Stevan Dohanos painted his picture of the first day of school, the children were brimming with excitement—not because they were posing for a cover, but because the day in question was a great day indeed. It was actually the last day of school, in June.  

 

Cover
Separation Anxiety 
George Hughes 
September 11, 1948 

 

Artist George Hughes painted this scene at Bennington College, in Vermont, which operates a nursery school. “Do you ask me if I have any children of my own?” Hughes mutters. “Only five girls. The one who is crying on the cover is, of course, mine.” 

 

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Crossing Guard 
George Hughes 
September 6, 1952 

 

If artist George Hughes hadn’t stationed the young lifesaver on that corner, would that man have stepped dreamily into the street, just missed being nicked by the car, and then blamed it in loud words on the driver?  

 

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End of Recess 
John Falter 
October 17, 1953 

 

Regarding that impending touchdown, we bet the teacher knows enough football to rule it illegal—ball was snapped after the school bell rang. 

 

Cover
First Day of School 
Thornton Utz 
September 6, 1958 

 

Artist Thornton Utz vows that when he was very little he liked school so much that he asked his folks if he couldn’t also go to night school. In time he got over that aberration. 

 

Cover
Morning Coffee Break 
Amos Sewell 
September 12, 1959 

 

In mother’s ears is a faint, faraway ringing—would it be an echo of the youthful din that has dinned in her ears all summer, or does she think she hears what she is merely imagining, a school bell ringing? Anyway, peace.