Norman Rockwell: My Adventures as an Illustrator, Signed by Norman Rockwell, First Edition, 1960

Rockwell, Norman. Norman Rockwell: My Adventures as an Illustrator. Garden City: Doubleday and Co., 1960. First Edition. Signed by Rockwell on the first free endpaper. In the original dust jacket and black hardcover boards with gilt titles to front and spine. 

Presented is a signed first edition of Norman Rockwell’s memoirs titled, Norman Rockwell: My Adventures as an Illustrator. Rockwell signed the first free endpaper in black ink reading, “Sincerely Norman Rockwell.” The book is offered in its original boards and dust jacket depicting Rockwell surrounded by some of his most famous illustrations. 

This autobiography tells the story of Rockwell’s career in his own words. The book takes the reader through the successes and failures of one of the most recognized American illustrators and artists of the 20th century. It includes tales of conquering his self doubt and his struggle to find success, as well as anecdotes about his colleagues, art models, and friends. 

Norman Rockwell is one of the most famous American artists to date. Throughout his career he was an author, painter, and illustrator known for reflecting American small town culture. His most famous works included covers for the Saturday Evening Post, totaling 322 illustrations for the publisher. Rockwell said, “Without thinking too much about it in specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed.”

Throughout his career, Rockwell strove to share the small moments of grace, community, and perseverance during economic depravity, war, and civil unrest. During WWII, Rockwell painted four works collectively titled the “Four Freedoms.” They toured across the U.S. raising more than $130,000 for the war effort and gained exceptional popularity. 

In the last 10 years of his life, Rockwell left the Saturday Evening Post for another magazine, Look. While illustrating for Look, Rockwell’s work focused more on social issues such as the Vietnam war, poverty, and race. In 1977, one year before his death, Norman Rockwell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom honoring him and his art that had “become part of the beloved American tradition.” Rockwell’s nearly 60 year career illustrated both the “heartwarming and heart-wrenching sides of American life in the 20th century.”

CONDITION:

Overall very good condition. Octavo. Stated first edition. Original publisher’s black hardcover boards with gilt embossed titles to front and spine. In original illustrated dust jacket. Rear board dampstained. Dust jacket with 1" tear along spine, creasing along top back and light shelfwear along spine. Not price-clipped. Protected in mylar. Internally, the pages are clean and bright.  Signed by Rockwell in black ink on the first free endpaper. Signature is dark and legible. 

Book Dimensions: 9 1/2" H x 6 1/4" W x 1 3/4" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.