Oriental Stories, Autumn 1931

1,017 Views - 2 Comments - 1 Like

Click Image to View Full Size

Artwork Details

Title:	Oriental Stories, Autumn 1931
Artist:	Lucille Holling (All)
Media Type:	Pastels
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,017
Likes on CAF:	1 2
Comments:	2
Added to Site:	11/1/2015
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Since it�s autumn, I thought I�d post the original art for the cover of Oriental Stories, Autumn 1931. It�s by Lucille Holling, and this may be the only illustration she did for the pulps. She was more active as a children�s book and fashion illustrator. How she got this assignment will likely never be known, but if she was only going to paint one pulp cover, she painted a good one. The lettering is all done by hand. It�s a bit surprising that it was published, given the woman�s state of dress -- other than on the spicy pulps, pulp covers featuring topless women were exceedingly rare, and even on the spicy pulps they weren�t very common.

My friend Bob Weinberg tells the story of how this original was at a Chicago area bookstore in the early 1970�s, where Bob was a regular customer. He�d even bought other Oriental Stories cover art there. Every time Bob stopped by the store, he tried to buy it. However, the owner wouldn�t sell. Then one day a guy from out of town stopped by the shop, and the owner agreed to sell it to him. Needless to say, Bob was not pleased, and the painting disappeared to parts unknown. More than thirty years later, the guy who�d bought it contacted me to see if I was interested in it, and I bought it immediately. When I took it over to Bob�s to show him, I heard the back story. And if I ever decide to sell it, I know where it will be going!

Social/Sharing

About the Owner

	Doug Ellis ( 1 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	November 2004
Last Login:	January 2026
Website:	http://pulpvault.com
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

Contact the Owner

Use can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
but, you must be logged in to use this feature.

Comments on this Artwork

You must be logged in to make comments.

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 11/1/2015

Excellent!!!

Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004

Posted on 11/2/2015

Very cool piece of art and history. The context you added in your description adds to the piece nicely.

All
	Greg McKee 1/24/2026 4:26:00 AM
	Brad Potts 1/24/2026 3:08:00 AM
	Dennis Books 1/24/2026 3:03:00 AM
	--J S-- 1/24/2026 2:40:00 AM
	Todd Warren 1/24/2026 2:34:00 AM
View All


	Pop Warner 1/24/2026 2:18:00 AM
	David Dias 1/24/2026 1:45:00 AM
	Miki Annamanthadoo 1/24/2026 1:42:00 AM
	Paul Biermann 1/24/2026 1:32:00 AM
	Bruce W 1/24/2026 12:30:00 AM