Family & Social Life

Original artwork, of page 23, for the book, A Year in the City, written by Lucy Sprague Mitchell with illustrations by Tibor Gergeley, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1948.

Born in Budapest, Hungary into a middle-class Jewish family, Tibor Gergeley (1900-1978) was captivated by art and culture at a young age. Known as a graphic illustrator and a caricature artist, Gergely’s early works documented Jewish life before the rise of Hitler. By 1939 the political situation in Europe was dire, and Gergeley and his wife immigrated to America. They settled in New York and his love affair with the city never waned. He was enchanted with his new life in a postwar New York that included skyscrapers, rushing traffic and the excitement of life in the big city.

By 1940 Gergely was working for the American Artists and Writers Guild and became a frequent illustrator for Little Golden Books, providing drawings for more than seventy books, including The Taxi that Hurried, Make Way for the Thruway and A Year in the City.

Gergely never lost his amazement for life in the United States and the ever-changing social endeavors. A Year in the City is reflective of his admirations and amazement with the dynamic elements of American Society and A Year in the City emphasizes his wonderment for the people, places and things that make up American society.

In addition to Gergely's fascination with the constant changes in American society, he was also enthralled by the dramatic social changes and events expanding the role of transportation and America's love affair with the automobile. A Year in the City is another example of his wonderment for the people and places in New York City. He enjoyed portraying the numerous scenes of everyday life in New York City.

Original artwork, of page 29, for the book The Taxi that Hurried, written by Lucy Sprague Mitchell, Irma Simonton Black and Jessie Stanton with illustrations by Tibor Gergely, and published by Golden Press in New York, New York, in 1946.

Born in Budapest, Hungary into a middle-class Jewish family, Tibor Gergely (1900-1978) was captivated by art and culture at a young age. Known as a graphic illustrator and a caricature artist, Gergely’s early works documented Jewish life before the rise of Hitler. By 1939 the political situation in Europe was dire, and Gergely and his wife immigrated to America. They settled in New York and his love affair with the city never waned. He was enchanted with his new life in a postwar New York that included skyscrapers, rushing traffic and the excitement of life in the big city.

A member of the American Artists and Writers Guild, Gergely became a prominent illustrator for Little Golden Books, providing drawings for more than seventy books, including Tootle, Five Little Firemen, and Scuffy the Tugboat. His illustrations for The Taxi that Hurried and Make Way for the Thruway portray the celebrated automobile and the expanding highway system, both destined to bring dramatic social and cultural changes to American life.

Original artwork for the book, A Year in the City, written by Lucy Sprague Mitchell with illustrations by Tibor Gergeley, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1948.

Born in Budapest, Hungary into a middle-class Jewish family, Tibor Gergeley (1900-1978) was captivated by art and culture at a young age. Known as a graphic illustrator and a caricature artist, Gergely’s early works documented Jewish life before the rise of Hitler. By 1939 the political situation in Europe was dire, and Gergeley and his wife immigrated to America. They settled in New York and his love affair with the city never waned. He was enchanted with his new life in a postwar New York that included skyscrapers, rushing traffic and the excitement of life in the big city.

By 1940 Gergely was working for the American Artists and Writers Guild and became a frequent illustrator for Little Golden Books, providing drawings for more than seventy books, including The Taxi that Hurried, Make Way for the Thruway and A Year in the City.

Gergely never lost his amazement for life in the United States and the ever-changing social endeavors. A Year in the City is reflective of his admirations and amazement with the dynamic elements of American Society and A Year in the City emphasizes his wonderment for the people, places and things that make up American society.

In addition to Gergely's fascination with the constant changes in American society, he was also enthralled by the dramatic social changes and events expanding the role of transportation and America's love affair with the automobile. A Year in the City is another example of his wonderment for the people and places in New York City. He enjoyed portraying the numerous scenes of everyday life in New York City.

Let's Go Shopping with Peter and Penny, was written and illustrated by Lenora Fees Combes and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1948.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1919, Lenora Fees Combes pursued a career in art and writing. She graduated from the Cleveland School of Art where she studied painting and illustration and her work was exhibited at the Chicago Museum of Art in 1940. In addition to illustrating children's books, she worked as an interior designer, painted murals and designed wallpaper. Combes also worked for a time with CBS and contributed stories to children's magazines.

Mary Martin. side 1: But Not For Me; side 2: Glad To Be Unhsappy (Columbia 4564-M), from the album, Mary Martin Sings For You (Columbia MM-843).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Original artwork, of page 26, for the book The Taxi that Hurried, written by Lucy Sprague Mitchell, Irma Simonton Black and Jessie Stanton with illustrations by Tibor Gergely, and published by Golden Press in New York, New York, in 1946.

Born in Budapest, Hungary into a middle-class Jewish family, Tibor Gergely (1900-1978) was captivated by art and culture at a young age. Known as a graphic illustrator and a caricature artist, Gergely’s early works documented Jewish life before the rise of Hitler. By 1939 the political situation in Europe was dire, and Gergely and his wife immigrated to America. They settled in New York and his love affair with the city never waned. He was enchanted with his new life in a postwar New York that included skyscrapers, rushing traffic and the excitement of life in the big city.

A member of the American Artists and Writers Guild, Gergely became a prominent illustrator for Little Golden Books, providing drawings for more than seventy books, including Tootle, Five Little Firemen, and Scuffy the Tugboat. His illustrations for The Taxi that Hurried and Make Way for the Thruway portray the celebrated automobile and the expanding highway system, both destined to bring dramatic social and cultural changes to American life.

Original cover artwork for the book, A Year in the City, written by Lucy Sprague Mitchell with illustrations by Tibor Gergeley, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1948.

Born in Budapest, Hungary into a middle-class Jewish family, Tibor Gergeley (1900-1978) was captivated by art and culture at a young age. Known as a graphic illustrator and a caricature artist, Gergely’s early works documented Jewish life before the rise of Hitler. By 1939 the political situation in Europe was dire, and Gergeley and his wife immigrated to America. They settled in New York and his love affair with the city never waned. He was enchanted with his new life in a postwar New York that included skyscrapers, rushing traffic and the excitement of life in the big city.

By 1940 Gergely was working for the American Artists and Writers Guild and became a frequent illustrator for Little Golden Books, providing drawings for more than seventy books, including The Taxi that Hurried, Make Way for the Thruway and A Year in the City.

Gergely never lost his amazement for life in the United States and the ever-changing social endeavors. A Year in the City is reflective of his admirations and amazement with the dynamic elements of American Society and A Year in the City emphasizes his wonderment for the people, places and things that make up American society.

In addition to Gergely's fascination with the constant changes in American society, he was also enthralled by the dramatic social changes and events expanding the role of transportation and America's love affair with the automobile. A Year in the City is another example of his wonderment for the people and places in New York City. He enjoyed portraying the numerous scenes of everyday life in New York City.

Charlie Christian with the Minton's House Band. side 1: Charlie's Choice [part 3]; side 2: Stompin' at the Savoy [part 1] (Vox 16067), from the album, Charlie Christian Memorial (Vox VSP 302).
78 rpm. Tracks for this album were recorded in 1941 and issued by Vox in 1947.

This album features artwork by American painter, printmaker, and teacher, Daniel (Dan) Shapiro (1920-1982). He created the artwork for several albums including recordings by Louis Armstrong, Alex Wilder, Charlie Christian, Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf, and Richard Dyer Bennett. Shapiro’s works were first exhibited at the Cooper Union Art School in 1940 and 1941. He had much success with his solo shows in the 1960s at the University of California at San Francisco, Cellini Gallery, San Francisco Museum of Art, and Rice University in Houston.

Eddie Condon and his Orchestra. side 1: Just You, Just Me; side 2: Atlanta Blues (Decca 23720),from the album, Jazz Concert at Eddie Condon's (Decca A-490).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Canadian-American commercial artist, fashion illustrator and graphic artist Jean Baird Buckley (1916-2015). Baird was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and as a child moved with her family to Brooklyn, New York. Baird graduated from Girls High School in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, majoring in art. Subsequently, she attended Pratt Institute for two years. Baird began her career as a staff artist for Montgomery Ward, and afterwards worked as a fashion illustrator for several New York department stores. She worked as a graphic designer for Hearst Publications and then as an art director for Abbot Kimble Agency. Before her marriage to Frank Buckley in 1948, Baird designed album covers for Decca Records. Later in her career Baird Buckley studied at the Art Students League in New York and as a thriving artist her work was featured in over 10 public exhibitions. For 20 years Baird Buckley was an instructor in tonal drawing and oil painting at the Somerset Art Association in Bernardsville, New Jersey.

Original artwork, of page 10, for the book The Taxi that Hurried, written by Lucy Sprague Mitchell, Irma Simonton Black and Jessie Stanton with illustrations by Tibor Gergely, and published by Golden Press in New York, New York, in 1946.

Born in Budapest, Hungary into a middle-class Jewish family, Tibor Gergely (1900-1978) was captivated by art and culture at a young age. Known as a graphic illustrator and a caricature artist, Gergely’s early works documented Jewish life before the rise of Hitler. By 1939 the political situation in Europe was dire, and Gergely and his wife immigrated to America. They settled in New York and his love affair with the city never waned. He was enchanted with his new life in a postwar New York that included skyscrapers, rushing traffic and the excitement of life in the big city.

A member of the American Artists and Writers Guild, Gergely became a prominent illustrator for Little Golden Books, providing drawings for more than seventy books, including Tootle, Five Little Firemen, and Scuffy the Tugboat. His illustrations for The Taxi that Hurried and Make Way for the Thruway portray the celebrated automobile and the expanding highway system, both destined to bring dramatic social and cultural changes to American life.

Original artwork, of pages 9, 12, 23, and 26, for the book, Susie's New Stove: The Little Chef's Cookbook written by Annie North Bedford with illustrations by Corinne Malvern, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1949.

Raised in New Jersey, Corinne Malvern (1901-1956) was a child actress who, along with her sister, performed in traveling plays, vaudeville and movies. After an accident in her teens, Malvern was forced to give up her acting career and later attended the Art Students League of New York. Proficient in watercolor, pastel, pencil and ink and paint, she launched a career as a commercial artist, and was known for her fashion illustrations and magazine covers. Shortly after, she teamed up with her sister, a children’s author, and began drawing children’s books, including seventeen for the Little Golden Book series, including Doctor Dan, Nurse Nancy, How Big?, Susie’s New Stove, and 5 Pennies to Spend.

The illustrations in Susie's New Stove reflect the traditional gender roles of the 1940s and 1950s and portrays the idyllic setting of home sweet home. The simple recipes included in the books gave little girls the chance to practice their culinary and homemaking skills. This is in stark contrast to the social upheaval that would emerge in the 1960s, challenging and altering perceptions of gender roles and civil rights.

Susie’ New Stove featured the “Little Chef” toy stove which had a working hot plate that could boil water. High-end models had a working hot plate and two functioning ovens that could be heated to 375 degrees. "Little Chef" is a trademark term used by Tacoma Metal Products, Tacoma Washington. maker of the stove.