WELCOME TO OUR SITE USArtworks.us Bookstore and more...

Explore the Lives & Works of several Twentieth - Century American Illustrators

WELCOME TO OUR SITE USArtworks.us Bookstore and more...

Explore the Lives & Works of several Twentieth - Century American Illustrators

A Look Inside the Collection

Unless you found this site by mistake you are apparently interested in early American illustration and the artists that created it... Either way, there's a lot here to study and enjoy; take your time, look around, and learn about the lives and careers of the illustrators in these books.

The result of more than fifty years of research can be found here in two books; "A Grandfather's Dream of Fair Women" and "The life and works of Charles H. Twelvetrees, Artist- Illustrator".

The books document the lives and careers of twenty-three American illustrators that worked from the 1880s to 1960. It includes thousands of creative and humorous illustrations of children and animals along with the work of many illustrators of the 20th century "Ideal American Girl Vogue". The list here shows the approximate years of their careers.

And...after previewing the awesome work shown on these pages you may want to click a button or two and get, as the noted broadcaster Paul Harvey used to say, "the rest of the story". I hope you enjoy the site and will take a moment to say hello...

Charles Jay Taylor - 1855-1929, The Taylor Maids
Archie Gunn - 1863-1917, The Gunn Girls
Phillip Boileau- 1864-1917, The Girls with Dreamy Eyes
Albert Beck Wenzell - 1864-1917, The Swank Girls
T. M. Peirce - 1867-1907, The Peirce Girls
Charles Dana Gibson - 1867-1944, The Gibson Girls
Harry W. McVickar - 1868-1905, The Evolution of Woman
Clarence F. Underwood - 1871-1929, The Underwood Girls
C. Allan Gilbert - 1873-1929, The Gilbert Girls
Howard Chandler Christy - 1873-1952, The Christy Girls
Alonzo Kimball - 1874-1923, The Kimball Girls
John Cecil Clay - 1875-1930, Loves Garden Girls
Henry Hutt - 1875-1950, The Rosebud Girls
Will Grefe' - 1875-1957, The Suggested Girls
Harrison Fisher - 1877-1934, The Fisher Girls
Haskell Coffin - 1877-1941, The Sunshine Girls
Penrhyn Stanlaws - 1877-1957, The Stanlaws Girls
James Montgomery Flagg - 1877-1960, The Flagg Girls
F. Graham Cootes - 1879-1960, Sweethearts
Clarence Coles Phillips - 1880-1927, The Fade away Girls
J. Knowles Hare - 1884-1947, Blossoms of Youth Girls
Neysa McMein - 1890-1949, The Chic Girls
Charles H. Twelvetrees - 1872-1948, American Kids & others.

Books by Robert William Mellberg

"A Grandfather's Dream of Fair Women"

Digital Download

This download of my 293 page book features the stories of twenty-two American illustrators that created the "Ideal American Girl", a vogue that lasted from the 1890s until the 1930s. The result of nearly 50 years of research, this book documents the personal lives and careers of a group of well-known and some lesser-known artists that adorned books, magazines, prints, calendars, postcards, and advertising with each artist's version of "the Ideal American Girl".

The book has numerous stories of the illustrator's personal lives including their flamboyant lifestyles, interaction with

presidents, famous actors, actresses, love affairs with models, divorces and suicides. This is not a mere listing of the artist's career's. It covers a period from the "Gay Nineties" through the "roaring Twenties" and the great Depression.

Download the book here.

I'm sure you will find it interesting and informative!

Robert William Mellberg

Purchase PDF Download $9.00

"The Life and Works of Charles H. Twelvetrees"

Digital Download

This digital download of my 259-page book corrects many errors on the internet about the life and career of Charles H. Twelvetrees.

The result of several years of research, the book documents Twelvetrees' personal life as well as his profession and shows thousands of images from an illustrating career that encompassed more than fifty years as an illustrator of mischievous children. His work was published in magazines and newspapers, on postcards, blotters, calendars, prints, valentines, and advertising media.

Download this book... you will find it informative, and you will enjoy the colorful and humorous illustrations.
Robert William Mellberg

Purchase PDF Download $9.00

Vintage Collectable Books

More than fifty years of research went into documenting and writing about the illustrators contained in these books. The research necessitated collecting rare books, magazines, and just about anything with images delineated by the illustrators. Now that the books have been published, the collected books, magazines, and ephemera will be sold for the enjoyment of vintage collectors across the United States. Items will be added periodically, check back often. If you are looking for a particular item ask and we will try to satisfy your request.