I have decided to create a listing of all Pin-Up related books that I have come accross for any one interested in the subject. Most of these are still in print & where applicable I have added a link to amazon books. I will also add any links to sites where you can buy original artwork, prints or reproductions etc.
I've included a brief review of the ones I have read, so If you're interested please scroll down the list. This page will be updated as and when I find new stuff so please check it occasionally :)
Collectors Press, Inc. sell books direct from their website, & offer savings if you become a prefered customer.
General Pin-Up Books
The Great American Pin-Up Authors: Charles G. Martignette & Louis K. Meisel Publisher: Taschen This is perhaps the best book on pinups available, almost a pinup Bible in fact, and is well worth getting hold of. It is unique in that the authors have managed to include just about every single major american pinup artist from the turn of the century up untill the early 1980's. It deals with a total of 69 different artists and, although often lacking in detail, gives a biography of the artists concerned. However it is in the reproduction of the artists work that this book scores so highly with over 900 illustrations, all of which in full colour. Anybody with an interest in Pin-Up girls should have this book. |
The Best Of American Girlie Magazines Author: Harald Hellmann Publisher: Taschen A great big book of excerpts from Robert Harrisons series of girlie magazines, i.e. Beauty Parade, Titter, Eyeful, Wink, Flirt and Whisper. The book contains very little text concerning Harrison himself or the artists involved but does contain a large quantity of the cover art, as well as the content of the magazines. Worth getting for the work of Peter Driben, Earl Moran and Billy DeVorss, not to mention the actual magazine content which contains hours of amusement ;) |
The Pin-up, a modest history  Author: Mark Gabor Publisher: Evergreen This book is allegedly a classic on pinups, although having read it I must confess to being a bit disapointed. The book deals with seductive poses from the 15th Century to the present, and does of course have a fairly good section on 1940's & 50's pin-up art. However most of the illustrations and photos are black & white, with only a few colour plates. The text is interesting in parts but the author tends to get bogged down with his own cleverness at times. In short this book has some interesting facts, a few nice examples (although in B&W) and a large amount of M. Gabors personnal views (mildly interesting for the first chapter, excedingly annoying for the next seven. One for the enthusiast only. I'm not sure if it's still in print since I could find no mention of it at Amazon but you should be able to pick up a second hand copy quite easily. |
Individual Artists
Petty, The classic pinup art of George Petty
Author:Publisher: Not a book that I actually own, although needless to say it's a book I would like to own:), although I have flicked through a friends copy. A good account of Petty's life & a lovely selection of his work. This is a book for every fan of Petty's work and as far as I know this is the only current publication dealing with him. Needless to say there will be a slightly better review soon when I have bought the book. |
Elvgren, His Life & Art Author: Publisher: Collectors Press, Inc. Again not a book that I own, mainly due to the unbelievably high price. It appears to be a complete record of Elvgrens life and all his work, whether it is or not I'm afraid I can't say. If anyone has this book please feel free to e-mail me a review of it at: b.mercer@virgin.net |
The Elvgren Collection, Pin-Up Poster Book Author: Marianne Ohl Philips Publisher: Collectors Press, Inc. An excellent book, a well writen account of Elvgren's life & work along with 16 full page colour plates. Obviously only a fraction of Elvgrens work is shown but the most popular paintings are present. Recommended. |
Elvgren, Wartime Pin-Ups Author: Publisher: Collectors Press, Inc. Again not a book I possess, although Collectors Press Vignettes series of books are all fairly similar. A small book, roughly postcard size, with a fairly indepth account of the artists life and lots of colour plates (usually over 30). If anyone wishes to send me a review please e-mail me at: b.mercer@virgin.net |
| Gil Elvgren year 2000 wall calendar Author: Publisher: The title says it all really, its a calendar, for the year 2000 with Elvgren pinups. I don't have it, but if you're looking for a pinup calendar for the millenium this might be it :) |
| Gil Elvgren year 2000 tear off calendar Author: Publisher: Needless to say its the same as above but with presumably 365 Elvgren pinups to stare at. |
| Gil Elvgren year 2000 diary Author: Publisher: I won't insult your intelligence by describing this one. |
The Edward Runci Collection, Pin-Up Poster Book Authors: Charles G. Martignette & Louis K. Meisel Publisher: Collectors Press, Inc. A fantasic book for all Runci fans. Similar in layout to the Elvgren poster book with a detailed section on Runci's life and work along with 15 full page colour plates. As far as I know this book contains every pin-up that Runci painted, as well as one he didn't! ("A Pair of Winners" painted by his wife, Maxine Stevens). |
Rolf Armstrong, The Dream Girls Author: Ben Stevens Publisher: Collectors Press, Inc. Rolf Armstrong has always been one of my favourite artists and this book is the only one I have managed to find on him. It is one of the Vignettes series of books & therefore rather small in size. However this is made up for by the informative copy and over 30 of Armstrong's Dream Girls from pre WWII. Examples of his later work can be found in The Great American Pin-Up located above. |
Earl Macpherson, The Sketchbook Pin-Ups Author: Max Allan Collins Publisher: Collectors Press, Inc. Again one of the Vignettes series, with a good account of MacPhersons life & lots of examples of his work. If you are a fan of the artist's sketchbook type of pin-up then this is perhaps the best example since Earl MacPherson was the man who invented it. |
Billy DeVorss, The Classic Pin-Ups Author: Kent Steine Publisher: Collectors Press, Inc. Another one of my favourite artists, as part of the Vignettes series of books. Hmmm what to say, well good copy & lots of great paintings. Buy this book it's great. Then again I would say that wouldn't I? |
| Billy DeVorss, Poster Book Author: Publisher: Collectors Press, Inc. I havn't got this book but if it's anything like the other poster books I shall be buying it very soon. I would imagine that it has 16 or so full page colour plates of the exceedingly great Billy DeVorss ;) If anyone has it please e-mail me with a review at: b.mercer@virgin.net |
Varga Author: Tom Robotham Publisher: The Mallard Press This is definatly the book to have if you love Vargas's work. It contains an informative and well writen account of his life and the best collection of his paintings. Unlike the Great American Pin-up, the author of this book had the co-operation of the Vargas Estate and it shows. The paintings (of which there are over 90), have been superbly reproduced & many of them are double spread. The paintings are so clear you could almost reach into the page and touch them. Ever so definatly recommended. |
Alberto Vargas, The Esquire Years Vol.1 Author: Michael Goldberg Publisher: Collectors Press, Inc. Another book from the Collectors Press Vignettes series so it is somewhat small in size. However this is more than made up for by the collection of paintings Vargas did for Esquire Magazine from 1940 to 1946. Worth getting but not as detailed as Tom Robotham's Varga. |
Alberto Vargas, The Esquire Years Vol.2 Author: Michael Goldberg Publisher: Collectors Press, Inc. Another book from the Collectors Press Vignettes series so it is somewhat small in size. However this is more than made up for by the collection of paintings Vargas did for Esquire Magazine from 1940 to 1946. Worth getting but not as detailed as Tom Robotham's Varga. |
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