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Norman Rockwell: My Adventures as an Illustrator, Signed by Norman Rockwell

Creator: Norman Rockwell
Offered by: The Great Republic

Description
Rockwell, Norman. Norman Rockwell: My Adventures as an Illustrator. Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Co., 1960. Stated first edition. Signed by Rockwell. In the original dust jacket and black cloth boards, with brown and gilt titles to the front and spine. Illustrated throughout.

Presented is a signed first edition of Norman Rockwell’s memoirs titled, Norman Rockwell: My Adventures as an Illustrator. Rockwell signed the half title page in blue ink reading, “Greetings to the Clarence Kettlers sincerely Norman Rockwell.” The book is offered in its original dust jacket depicting Rockwell surrounded by some of his most famous illustrations.

This autobiography tells the story of Rockwell’s career in his own words. The book takes the reader through the successes and failures of one of the most recognized American illustrators and artists of the 20th century. It includes tales of conquering his self doubt and his struggle to find success, as well as anecdotes about his colleagues, art models, and friends.

Norman Rockwell is one of the most famous American artists to date. Throughout his career he was an author, painter, and illustrator known for reflecting American small town culture. His most famous works included covers for the Saturday Evening Post, totaling 322 illustrations for the publisher. Rockwell said, “Without thinking too much about it in specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed.”

Throughout his career, Rockwell strove to share the small moments of grace, community, and perseverance during economic depravity, war, and civil unrest. During WWII, Rockwell painted four works collectively titled the “Four Freedoms.” They toured across the U.S. raising more than $130,000 for the war effort and gained exceptional popularity.

In the last 10 years of his life, Rockwell left the Saturday Evening Post for another magazine, Look. While illustrating for Look, Rockwell’s work focused more on social issues such as the Vietnam war, poverty, and race. In 1977, one year before his death, Norman Rockwell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom honoring him and his art that had “become part of the beloved American tradition.” Rockwell’s nearly 60 year career illustrated both the “heartwarming and heart-wrenching sides of American life in the 20th century.”

CONDITION:

Very good condition. Stated first edition. Original illustrated dust jacket, with white titles to front, white and black titles to spine, black titles and illustration of Thanksgiving 1954 illustration on the back panel. Not price clipped, $4.95. Light wear to the front panel, small chips and wear to the spine, with bumping, toning and spots to the back panel. In the original black cloth boards, with brown and gilt title panel on the front and brown and gilt titles to the spine. The boards are very clean and in great condition. Original reddish brown endpapers, illustrated with an artist’s pallet and Rockwell's name in white. The book is inscribed on the half title page "Greetings to the Clarence Kettlers sincerely Norman Rockwell" in blue ball point pen. Incredibly neat and legible signature. Clean pages inside. Illustrated throughout, with illustrated chapter headings, photographs and black and white illustrations, followed by a portfolio at the end, with both black and white and color examples of his famous illustrations. 458pp.

Dimensions: 9 1/2" H x 6 3/8" W x 1 5/8" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.

More Information

Documentation:	Certificate of Authenticity
Period:	1950-1979
Creation Date:	1960
Styles / Movements:	Modern
Incollect Reference #:	805028

Dimensions

W.	6.375 in;	H.	9.5 in;	D.	1.625 in;
W.	16.19 cm;	H.	24.13 cm;	D.	4.13 cm;

Message from Seller:

Established in 2010, The Great Republic specializes in one-of-a-kind collectibles that honor American history, with a special focus on the rare and unique. Our collection is complete with rarities that are sure to wow, such as first edition books, antique hand-sewn flags from the Civil War, vintage travel posters, and original signatures from American presidents, such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, just to name a few. P: 719.471.6157 E: headquarters@great-republic.com