Published Esquire Magazine, April 1935 Issue Illustration OA - Elmer Simms Campbell signed

4 Comments - 3,239 Views - 3 Likes

Click Image to View Full Size

Previous Item:
John Constantin: Inner Demons Illustration OA - Richard Friend signed/dated

Next Item:
Published Playboy Magazine, February 1978 issue Illustration OA featuring 'Naughty Granny' - Robert 'Buck' Brown signed/dated

Artwork Details

Title:	Published Esquire Magazine, April 1935 Issue Illustration OA - Elmer Simms Campbell signed
Artist:	E. Simms Campbell (All)
Media Type:	Mixed Media
Art Type:	Illustration
For Sale Status:	For reelz?!
Views:	3,239
Likes on CAF:	3 4
Favorited on CAF:	2
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	1/20/2016
Comic Art Archive:

Description

This is a magnificent painting by Artist/Cartoonist Elmer Simms Campbell (1906 � 1971) for Esquire Magazine, April 1935 issue on pages 94 & 95 featuring the �Harem Girls� that he created in 1933 with the coaxing of artist Russell Patterson influencing him to focus on good girl art.

I purchased this beautiful mixed media artwork piece from Roger T. Reed (Walt A. Reed's son), proprietor/owner of Illustration House, Inc. in New York City directly from Founder Walt A. Reed�s private collection. This particular E. Simms Campbell artwork was also featured in Mr. Reed�s 2001 book, �The Illustrator in America� on page 212.

In this painting we see an elephant convoy arrive containing �Harem Girls� and treasure for the �Sultan� as an offering trying to enter through the front of the palace. Not gonna happen! Hahaha!

The caption reads: �Sorry, buddy � you�ll have to deliver them at the trade entrance�

The artwork is 23.75� L x 17.75� H and rendered on heavy art paper and then reinforced with rice or mulberry paper. This is one of the larger works of Simms Campbell to exist.

Simms Campbell was one of the highest paid illustrators in the United States from the 1930s and into the 1960s and was one of the only African-American illustrators working in syndicated American magazines. As the creator of Esquire's mascot 'Esky', nearly every issue of Esquire during his heyday included one of his works. He also contributed to The Chicagoan, Cosmopolitan, Opportunity Journal Of Negro Life, The New Yorker and Playboy. Also ads for Springmaid, Hart Schaffner & Marx, Bisquick and Barbasol respectively.

Campbell's daughter Elizabeth Ann married Gordon Parks (1912 - 2006) in 1962, divorced in 1973 with a daughter Leslie. Parks was one of the first African American film directors in Hollywood (directed the original Shaft movie) and was also a renown photographer, composer, author, and poet. Parks became prominent in U.S. documentary photojournalism in the 1940s through 1970s�particularly in issues of civil rights, poverty and African Americans�and in glamour photography.

Social/Sharing

About the Owner

	Jaja Amani
Joined:	July 2012
Last Login:	July 2025
Ebay Id:	jaja-mon
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.

J M
Member Since 2010

Posted on 1/20/2016

Jaja the artist is a master , gorgeous ...

Jaja Amani
Member Since 2012

Posted on 1/20/2016

J M wrote:

Jaja the artist is a master , gorgeous ...

Thanks Joe! E. Simms Campbell was a master that was way ahead of his time.

Johnny C.
Member Since 2010

Posted on 10/16/2016

Probably the finest E. Simms Campbell I've ever seen! No wonder Walt kept it!

Jaja Amani
Member Since 2012

Posted on 10/16/2016

Johnny C. wrote:

Probably the finest E. Simms Campbell I've ever seen! No wonder Walt kept it!

Thanks for the kind words my friend. I'm honored to be the new owner of such a valuable piece of ESC history. I never met the man, but I can tell Walt had a great eye for artistic talent/treasure.

All
	Jeffrey Wedding 9/7/2025 4:16:00 AM
	Jason Borelli 9/7/2025 2:11:00 AM
	R S 9/7/2025 1:59:00 AM
	Comics Gallery 9/7/2025 1:08:00 AM
	Tony Isaza 9/7/2025 12:42:00 AM
View All


	Neil Hansen 9/7/2025 12:04:00 AM
	Anthony Mauceli 9/6/2025 11:37:00 PM
	Alan E 9/6/2025 10:32:00 PM
	Jason Baccus 9/6/2025 10:23:00 PM
	kelly b 9/6/2025 10:23:00 PM