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Often referred to as the “Selz Good Shooz’ painting, This is a considerably sized
this image was used for a calendar in 1926. oil on illustration board
painting (32” x 43.5” over-
On His Way to the Top all) dates to c. 1910–1915.
Christy became more and more popular Created by F. Earl Christy
throughout the 1910s and 20s. Not only was for American Art Works in
he doing illustrations for advertisers and other Coshocton, OH, this was
smaller jobs, but his penchant for portraits published as calendar art.
was leading him down the path of great suc- Titled, Yachting, this portrait
cess in the world of magazine illustration – of an early, rosy-cheeked pin-
up girl showcases the breezy
mainly magazine cover illustrations. Among beauty of a young, blue-eyed
the many publications bearing cover art creat- sailor sweetie as she proudly
ed by Christy at the time was VIM, Good shows off her aptitude for
Literature, Harper’s Bazaar, Ainslee, Ladie’s skimming the open waters
Home Journal, Puck, Woman’s World, and the with a winners cup trophy.
list goes on to number 57 in 1929, Delineator. This illustration comes from
Many of these illustrations were a “1-off” the collection of esteemed
meaning a one-time request, such as for illustration art collector
Saturday Evening Post, but that soon became Norman Platnick, who put
the home of Norman Rockwell illustrations together a 2-volume set of
that started when Rockwell was just 21 and documents on the works of
Christy coming to well over
continued for 47 years. 300 pages! The painting sold
Christy also served his country from 1917 for $1,300 in 2014.
to 1919. He had completed high school years
photo: Grapefruit Moon Gallery
back at the YMCA
with a focus on French, so his 18-month The explosion of moving pictures and America’s fascina-
deployment to Paris not only had him fight- tion with the life of the “Movie Star Set” created a great
ing the enemy, but gave him the opportunity demand for portraits of celebrities for the amazing list of
to view important works of art. While in bat- magazines dedicated to their lives and lifestyles. Christy
tle, Christy’s left hand was slightly paralyzed capitalized on his talent by focusing on stars and starlets.
in one of the four battles he fought in “from In 1935, Christy became the house cover artist for Dell
effect of guns.” Luckily, he was right-handed. Publishing Company that included such titles as Modern
During his post-war years, Christy Screen, Screen Romances, Modern Romances, and Radio Stars.
remained unmarried. He focused on creating Over 270 covers were created between 1935 and 1943 just
what was referred to as the “Christy Girl,” a for these four publications alone, and he was always taking
romanticized view of the portrait sitter on work when asked. He did images for sheet music, 11
designed to bring out the most attractive fea- covers of Popular Song, ten for Screen Album, and 35 for
tures with a slightly “fuzzy” approach to his Sweetheart Stories.
style as if it were conceived in a dream. This
was the start of his best successes in his career.
Winding Down
Like many illustrators of that time, as pho-
1930s: The Secret of His Success tography became more popular, so did photo
All of Christy’s hard work seemed to really covers. In the 1940s the need for illustration
pay off in the 1930s. His family did not want Above, An American had lessened a great deal. By 1946, Christy
for much in the Depression years because in Beauty, c. 1923 pastel was living with Rene in Manhattan and con-
on illustration selling
1929, he had attained the position of Cover for $6,500 at tinued to do some work, but mainly enjoyed
Artist for Photoplay Magazine that lasted until Grapefruit Moon being retired. When he had a stroke in 1953,
1935 and included over 70 covers. Photoplay Gallery. Christy’s sister Mabel suggested he “get rid of
magazine was founded in Chicago in 1911. It his materials and any remaining works”
reached its zenith in the 1920s and 1930s, Right, as the image because their presence continually reminded
becoming quite influential in the early film appeared on the cover him of what he was now incapable of doing.
industry. The magazine was renowned for its of The American Christy and his sister Rene moved to
beautiful cover portraits of film stars. Magazine, May 1923 Freeport, Long Island, where he died in 1961.
As a popular artist, Christy also supplied Another famous and highly collectible
illustrations to many other magazines and continued to provide artist was named Howard Chandler Christy (no relation) and at times
artwork to businesses for ads, cards, boxes, and just about anything that people confuse the two because they are from similar eras. Said the
needed an image on it. older Christy to young Earl in 1912, “Keep up the good work.” He did.

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