Classic San Diego

Edward Penfied “Harper’s September” Lithograph, 1896

$895.00 ~~$1,299.00~~

Edward Penfield (1866-1925). “HARPER’S SEPTEMBER” [Poster for Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Sep 1896]. Woman holding Harper’s magazine. Color variation: red dress, red crachis (technique of spattering ink onto a lithographic stone's surface to create atmospheric mists of color) background, blue and yellow hat. Four-color lithograph: red, yellow, blue and green. New York: Harper & Brothers, published Aug 1896. Inscribed lower right: Penfield bull’s head logo. 8 1/4"w. x 14".

Condition: A-, Vertical fold and spots retouched. Archivally mounted on Japan paper and canvas-backed, backing, 19"w. x 14 3/4"h.

Comparable copies of this lithograph have sold for $1700 - 2000 USD.

Ref: Reims, 1277; Flood, 313; DFP, 360; Wong, 64; Gibson, 7; Lauder, 84; Brandt, 67; PAI-34, 117, Lindsay, A42.

CSD Graphic Design Collection

Edward Penfield was the art director for Harper’s from 1895-1910, creating a series of 74 advertising placards for the magazine that went up in bookstores and newsstands wherever they were sold. His posters became highly desired at the time and have been collected ever since. His simple, bold style (now considered American Art Nouveau) was inspired by Japanese printmaking and the works of artists like Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. By 1896, Penfield had reached the height of his craft, “refining his lines, compositions and color schemes to a level of unsurpassed agility.”