OT: Help on Art research
 

I know we are a diverse group here on Net54, so maybe someone could help point me in the right direction.

I just picked up a lithograph from a famous illustrator that I cannot find any record of. The original watercolor sold in a Heritage auction a few years ago, but the only other examples that I can find are part of the advertising it was used in. Nor can I find ANY examples of any prints that were made in a similar manner. It is large 36x24, and has an alternate title, artist and year. It is similar to pieces that I have seen that are sold at a gallery during an exhibition. It is unnumbered.

My main question is: Is there a service that serves as a catalogue raisonné of sorts for editions like this? I have literally viewed hundreds of pages from dozens of searches and I am stumped!

I'll take a shot:
 

I take it the art is not signed, so you do not know who the artist is?

Could you describe the player or failing that, the subject or action?

It is exactly like this except for the aforementioned graphics situated below his hand:

http://fineart.ha.com/itm/illustrati...a/5090-78229.s

The Cocktail Hour
by
George Petty
1934

As an aside, it is not an entirely unpleasant subject to research. :D

Try Illustration House in New York.

Thanks, I'll contact them on Tues. (closed tomorrow :( )

After drawing blanks for 7 years, including contacting several galleries and a few historians, I just found this on crossroadsartcenter.com:

This Lithograph was part of a one-time arrangement to bring back one of the most unique and sensuous examples of pin-up art. After 53 years Art Esprit was proud to announce the re-release of this piece as a limited edition offering of 3000 offset lithographs.

Cocktail Hour was originally commissioned in 1934 by the Jackson Brewing Company of New Orleans, Louisiana as an early effort in display advertising, The Cocktail Hour was placed in local drinking establishments only to be condemned by civic leaders and housewives who felt that too much attention was being paid to the advertisement. After being deemed pornographic by Louisiana judges, the prints were removed and destroyed by state troopers. The original painting remains intact.<--(This was the piece sold by HA in 2012 for $16K)

Apparently, the title of the piece IS "The Cocktail Hour" NOT "The Kiss".
At least I have a lot more background on it, and an approx. value!

Moral of the story: Never give up on your research!!!

For reference. :D

The Model
 

..I saw a young Buster Crabbe as the model almost immediately.......

..

You do know the artist is Alberto Vargas, right?

No, it is George Petty.

So it is. We stand corrected. Amazing resemblance to Vargas' style, technique, and signature.

"Petty Girl" pre-dated "Varga Girl" by about 7 years, but they they had a duality in the market for 20 years. Vargas became more famous to the "younger" generation mainly due to his Playboy work.

Like I said before, there are worse subjects to be researching. :D

I concur. Is the female subject in the artwork named? She reminds me of Marlene Dietrich.