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The Great American Pin-Up
This book tells the tale of a genre as utterly American as the paintings of Edward Hopper describing it's origins and development in detail and showcasing the most important artists. With over 900 illustrations, The Great American Pin - Up is one of the most comprehensive studies of the genre to appear anywhere.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 4, 2008
Got some of my tattoo ideas from this book. We also copied a few of the pictures we liked and put them in antique looking frames to hang on the wall.
August 22, 2011
Martignette, Charles, and Louis K. Meisel. The Great American Pin-up. New York ; Köln: Barnes & Noble ; Taschen, 2006. Print.
I quite enjoyed this coffee table book, which left me wanting more. Certainly wanting more pinups and glamour art but also to see the other artworks, including commercial art, created by these talented artists.
The book begins with some illustrated historical essays, "Pin-Up Art: A Historical Commentary" by Walt A. Reed (2 pages), "The "Fine" Art of Illustration" by Louis K. Meisel (4 pages), and "The Great American Pin-Up" by Charles G. Martignette (18 pages). The book is then divided into 3 sections, with individual artists placed within these sections: Art Deco Era 1920-1940, From World War II to 1970 Pin-Up & Glamour Artists, and Additional Prominent Artists 1930-1980.
The book is available in several editions, including the Barnes & Noble edition which we have, which is often available in their Bargain Books section and is, well, a bargain.
There are 100s of images in the book, many of which are full-page. Seeing as the book is an oversized coffee table book (32.5 x 25 cm; 12.5 x 10") those are large enough to be suitable for framing; assuming one wanted to cut up their copy of the book. Then again, if it is still available in the B&N Bargain Books section buying two copies would be an option.
One thing brought home by this book was the sheer ubiquity of pinup art in American society from about 1930 to 1970, especially in the 30s to 50s. Pinups illustrated everything from advertising for the full gamut of products, to illustrations for magazine articles, book covers whether romance, fantasy, pulp and other genres, to magazine covers (all kinds, including all of the major ones), to billboards, to the sides of WWII airplanes, and so on. Calendars, of course, were the biggest selling and most prolific form for pinups.
These talented artists produced many other forms of art, including photography, fine art paintings (landscapes, portraits, etc.), commercial illustrations of all stripes, etc. Many of the most iconographic images of the 20th century commercial world were produced by these talented men and women, from the Coppertone girl, the Quaker Oats man, the Coca-Cola Santa Claus, to the Bruce Jenner Wheaties box, among many others. They produced much art for Hollywood, from portraits of stars to movie posters (e.g., The Maltese Falcon). One of them painted a presidential portrait which hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.
It is much of this non-pinup art, along with many of the pinup & glamour images described in the text but not included, that I long to see. In many cases, due to copyright issues, the most famous images by these artists are not included. While understandable, it is a sad comment on the US copyright situation. Inclusion of those images in a book like this can only increase the value of these images by increasing exposure of them to new generations.
I also understand why none of the non-pinup or glamour art is included. This already large book would need to be even larger or would have to include fewer images which constitute the actual subject of the book. While a fully justifiable trade-off, for reasons of permissions for use to size of book and what is included, I still would like to see some of the iconic images which are described but not shown.
At the time this book was written only Alberto Vargas had received the full treatment of a monograph representing his career and work. Hopefully many more of these talented artists will receive their due soon.
I quite enjoyed this coffee table book, which left me wanting more. Certainly wanting more pinups and glamour art but also to see the other artworks, including commercial art, created by these talented artists.
The book begins with some illustrated historical essays, "Pin-Up Art: A Historical Commentary" by Walt A. Reed (2 pages), "The "Fine" Art of Illustration" by Louis K. Meisel (4 pages), and "The Great American Pin-Up" by Charles G. Martignette (18 pages). The book is then divided into 3 sections, with individual artists placed within these sections: Art Deco Era 1920-1940, From World War II to 1970 Pin-Up & Glamour Artists, and Additional Prominent Artists 1930-1980.
The book is available in several editions, including the Barnes & Noble edition which we have, which is often available in their Bargain Books section and is, well, a bargain.
There are 100s of images in the book, many of which are full-page. Seeing as the book is an oversized coffee table book (32.5 x 25 cm; 12.5 x 10") those are large enough to be suitable for framing; assuming one wanted to cut up their copy of the book. Then again, if it is still available in the B&N Bargain Books section buying two copies would be an option.
One thing brought home by this book was the sheer ubiquity of pinup art in American society from about 1930 to 1970, especially in the 30s to 50s. Pinups illustrated everything from advertising for the full gamut of products, to illustrations for magazine articles, book covers whether romance, fantasy, pulp and other genres, to magazine covers (all kinds, including all of the major ones), to billboards, to the sides of WWII airplanes, and so on. Calendars, of course, were the biggest selling and most prolific form for pinups.
These talented artists produced many other forms of art, including photography, fine art paintings (landscapes, portraits, etc.), commercial illustrations of all stripes, etc. Many of the most iconographic images of the 20th century commercial world were produced by these talented men and women, from the Coppertone girl, the Quaker Oats man, the Coca-Cola Santa Claus, to the Bruce Jenner Wheaties box, among many others. They produced much art for Hollywood, from portraits of stars to movie posters (e.g., The Maltese Falcon). One of them painted a presidential portrait which hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.
It is much of this non-pinup art, along with many of the pinup & glamour images described in the text but not included, that I long to see. In many cases, due to copyright issues, the most famous images by these artists are not included. While understandable, it is a sad comment on the US copyright situation. Inclusion of those images in a book like this can only increase the value of these images by increasing exposure of them to new generations.
I also understand why none of the non-pinup or glamour art is included. This already large book would need to be even larger or would have to include fewer images which constitute the actual subject of the book. While a fully justifiable trade-off, for reasons of permissions for use to size of book and what is included, I still would like to see some of the iconic images which are described but not shown.
At the time this book was written only Alberto Vargas had received the full treatment of a monograph representing his career and work. Hopefully many more of these talented artists will receive their due soon.
March 4, 2008
If you like Vintage poster art and beautiful women you will love this book! Besides lots (900+ illustrations) of full color pictures it also has reviews/tales of the many artists. This book is in 3 languages which I found interesting, but distracting. A birthday present from my son - one I am enjoying!
January 13, 2024
This might be the quintessential book on the topic. Every girl in almost any pose you can imagine, wind, water, upskirts, the Peeping Tom nearby. Lovely illustrations from all the artists 1920 to 1980. Wow, all those sexy models, cover art, through the keyhole, on the rails... an overflow of brilliant motifs and illustrations. You can't top this. Highly recommended!
February 2, 2020
I have a strong connection to coffee table books. The imagery mixed with fun facts always reals me in. Pin up was something i always found so beautiful. The outfits, the expressions, the body language...some are fun, some risky, some comical.
August 9, 2021
装帧好！价格低！印刷棒！妹子美（口水）
December 7, 2018
The book is very entertaining. :D
July 22, 2008
I didn't read all the text -- some of it is German I think. Seriously, this book is constructed like an old science text book from high school without Bernoulli' (spelling?) equation for flight -- it's pretty big. Instead, just cute pin-up girls. It's fun to look at and flip through if you are into vintage attire, hot chicks, and sailor jerry type of stuff.
July 30, 2007
The strange thing about this book is that it is written in English, French and German. So when you finish chapter one, you need to skip the next two chapters because they are in other languages! Weird. This book is hleping me understand the world of collectors and discover new pin-up artists.
October 22, 2011
Thirty of the most attractive pin-ups from the 1930s to the 1960s as perceived by artists such as Gil Elvgren, Edward Runci, Al Buell, Earl Moran and others, including a lady artist Joyce Ballantyne.
Eye-catching!
Eye-catching!
April 7, 2012
A great reference for learning about the pin-up artists of the 1950s. Had beautiful quality photos of the paintings, and an amazing collection of images from each artist they discuss. A definite must have if you're a fan of pin ups.
February 18, 2014
Beautiful book, gorgeous pin-ups, and concise biographies of the artists. Would have liked a bit more discussion on the genre as a whole and styles of particular artists. This is my second Taschen book, and I could not be more pleased to own something so beautiful.
August 31, 2016
I bought this as a gift for a friend (who probably would've given it 5 stars). However it's simply not a genre I find aesthetically pleasing. I'm more classic in my artistic tastes. I was also born in Europe, so perhaps it's that this era of Americana doesn't hold a connection for me or my family.
October 15, 2007
summer likes pin-ups a lot so i've seen a lot more in the past few years! these are good.
December 27, 2007
Mandy gave to me for christmas. It's in three langauges and has tons of pictures.
February 22, 2010
Some of the great American pin up art. A must own.
February 22, 2012
Gorgeous pin-up prints! Great coffee table book.
Want to read
November 20, 2013niiice
July 13, 2014
Wonderful Book with Amazing art work and brief biographies of the artist. Highly Recommended as an overview book of classic pin-up art.
February 14, 2009
HUBBA HUBBA!!!
August 20, 2010
a fantastic sampling of the great american pin up artists
May 1, 2013
Bought this book to get some ideas for leather carving. Excellent and thorough.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews