Editorial Cartoonists of the Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) :: MISCELLANEOUS - WESTERNS

WEST OF THE WOLVERINE (PAUL EVAN LEHMAN)

Artist: JOHN PIKE (Painter)

2 Comments - 49 Views - 2 Likes

WEST OF THE WOLVERINE (PAUL EVAN LEHMAN) Comic Art

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WEST OF THE WOLVERINES (PAUL EVAN LEHMAN)(REVERSE SIDE)

WEST OF THE WOLVERINES (PAUL EVAN LEHMAN)(BOOK)

WEST OF THE WOLVERINES (PACKING SLIP)

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Artwork Details

Title:	WEST OF THE WOLVERINE (PAUL EVAN LEHMAN)
Artist:	JOHN PIKE (Painter)
Media Type:	Paint - Watercolor
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	49
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Comments:	2
Added to Site:	7/11/2025
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Original Cover Illustration (1947) � West of the Wolverine, Attributed to John Pike Ink and watercolor on heavy art stock (9� � 7� inches), this evocative Western scene was created for Paul Evan Lehman�s pulp novel West of the Wolverine. Previously listed as �attributed to John Pike,� the piece exhibits hallmarks of Pike�s mid-century style: dynamic figures, emotional tension, and expressive brushwork. Acquired from a seller in New York, the illustration aligns both geographically and stylistically with Pike�s prolific career during the 1940s.

The reverse side of the artwork features aged tape residue in the corners and a red �BEARERS� stamp�likely editorial markings from the publishing layout process. These production artifacts suggest the piece was used in pre-press preparation, not simply framed for display. The handwritten annotation �ATT TO JOHN PIKE� further supports its role as a working illustration submitted for reproduction.

While the printed paperback cover shows enhanced coloration due to standard CMYK adjustments, this artwork stands as the original source illustration�executed primarily in watercolor, with ink used for structural linework and definition. The dominant medium�s translucent layering and tonal washes reinforce Pike�s expressive narrative style and align with his known techniques.

This piece is a rare production artifact from the pulp era�bridging visual storytelling, editorial ritual, and the emotional texture of frontier mythmaking.

About the Artist: John Pike (1911�1979) A celebrated American illustrator and watercolorist, Pike worked for Collier�s, Life, and Reader�s Digest, and served as an official Air Force combat artist during WWII. He founded the John Pike Watercolor School in Woodstock, NY, and authored two influential books on watercolor technique. Pike earned numerous accolades, including honors from the American Watercolor Society, the National Academy, and NASA, which commissioned him to document the Apollo 10 mission. His expressive style and emotional realism helped define mid-century American illustration.

About the Author: Paul Evan Lehman (1895�1961)
Lehman was a prolific Western novelist whose stories centered on rugged lawmen, moral ambiguity, and frontier justice. His work helped define the pulp Western genre, and West of the Wolverine is a prime example of his fast-paced, emotionally charged storytelling.

📍 Provenance Note
This original illustration was acquired from an estate moving sale in Hurley, New York, near Woodstock, where John Pike was known to live and work. Pike notably designed the sidewalk canopy on Wall Street in Kingston, NY, and was a prominent figure in the mid-century arts scene of the Hudson Valley.

The artwork was previously framed, later removed for preservation and analysis. The reverse bears editorial markings linked to paperback production�a clear indication of its use in cover design workflows.

Seller confirmed the illustration originated from a local source aligned with Pike�s geographic and professional footprint, strengthening attribution and contextual credibility.

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About the Owner

	Alan E Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	May 2025
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 7/11/2025

I like that bank robber that was shot down. You can feel the life draining out of him on the ground.

Alan E
Member Since 2025

1 - Posted on 7/12/2025

Marcus Wai wrote:

I like that bank robber�that was shot down.� You can feel the life draining out of him on the ground.

That whole street scene has a lot of dynamic elements. It's growing on me.

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