WENDELIN, RUDOLPH 1910 2000 (3 Ergebnisse)

This Virginia artist joined the U.S. Forest Service in the early 1930s and helped launch the "Smokey the Bear" campaign in the late '30s -- now the longest running public service campaign in history; he portrayed Smokey in literally hundreds of promotional pieces that encouraged conservation of natural resources and fire prevention. Signed Color Print, 16" X 10¼" (under cream matte, overall dimensions 20" X 16"), n.p., n.y. [ca. 1991]. Fine. Printed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and titled "'High Five' for fire prevention," this print depicts a wooded outdoor scene, a red fire engine in the right foreground driving toward the viewer. One firefighter leans out the passenger window to give a "High Five" to Smokey Bear, who of course stands center foreground, holding a shovel in his left hand and returning the "High Five" with his right. At left foreground is a large pine tree, with a couple of bear cubs clambering up and watching the fire engine, while other wildlife (squirrel, raccoon, cardinal) hang about. At lower right, across part of the red fire engine, Wendelin signs large and bold in black fineline. The number printed is not stated or generally known, and sources involved in its production suggest that Wendelin signed only a modest number. A superb rendition of this beloved character, in flawless condition. Uncommon and handsome -- a choice bit of American firefighting history.

This Virginia artist joined the U.S. Forest Service in the early 1930s and helped launch the "Smokey the Bear" campaign in the late '30s -- now the longest running public service campaign in history; he portrayed Smokey in literally hundreds of promotional pieces that encouraged conservation of natural resources and fire prevention. Color PS, heavy stock glossy 6" X 4", n.p., n.y. Near fine. Full color postcard reproduction of Wendelin's 1989 painting "Dear Smokey." depicting the beloved bear leaning against a shovel alongside his mailbox reading a child's letter as two cubs clamber atop the mailbox, a wooded setting featuring lake, campers and ranger's cabin in the background. Wendelin signs boldly in black fineline in a lighter area at lower left. Accompanied by a high-quality glossy 10" X 8" photograph, a 1979 black and white image showing Wendelin and his wife standing alongside a costumed "Smokey the Bear" figure seated at a desk overflowing with fan mail, leaning back and reading a letter. (Inkstamped on verso "Smokey Bear Headquarters U.S. Department of Agriculture.") Fine. A most unusual photograph, possibly unpublished.

This Virginia artist joined the U.S. Forest Service in the early 1930s and helped launch the "Smokey the Bear" campaign in the late '30s -- now the longest running public service campaign in history; he portrayed Smokey in literally hundreds of promotional pieces that encouraged conservation of natural resources and fire prevention. Color PS, heavy stock glossy 6" X 4", n.p., n.y. Fine. Full color postcard reproduction of Wendelin's 1989 painting "Dear Smokey." depicting the beloved bear leaning against a shovel alongside his mailbox reading a child's letter as two cubs clamber atop the mailbox, a wooded setting featuring lake, campers and ranger's cabin in the background. Wendelin signs boldly in black fineline in a lighter area at lower left. This signed image has been affixed via acid-free clear photo corners to the upper left of an 18" X 24" unsigned color poster celebrating the 50th anniversary of Smokey the Bear and published by the "Friends of Smokey" in Capitan, New Mexico in 1994. Large printed image of a Wendelin rendering of a seated Smokey as a cub leaning against a charred tree trunk and plopping a Forest Ranger's hat atop his head, one paw and one foot swathed in white bandages. Very good. Original single horizontal and vertical mailing folds; a number of small expert archival mends on verso. An appealing pair.