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1940's Set of Gil Elvgren Pin Up Girl Playing Cards by Brown & Bigelow in Box

$375
£285.65
€334.44
CA$543.81
A$550.66
CHF 308.12
MX$6,652.71
NOK 3,748.07
SEK 3,685.67
DKK 2,499.88

About the Item

This highly collectible 1940s set of Gil Elvgren pin-up girl playing cards, commissioned and printed by the legendary American advertising firm Brown & Bigelow, is a superb example of mid-century novelty ephemera and classic American pin-up art. The set includes two complete decks, accompanied by the original flocked presentation box, making this an especially desirable find for collectors of vintage pin-ups, wartime Americana, and graphic art. Each deck features iconic painted imagery by Gil Elvgren (1914–1980), one of the most celebrated and influential pin-up artists of the 20th century. One deck displays Elvgren’s famous beach scene “Tops ’Em All”, depicting a playful topless young woman carrying a fruit basket by the shore, a quintessential example of Elvgren’s flirtatious yet lighthearted style. The second deck showcases the 1946 painting “I Hope the Boys Don’t Draw Straws Tonight,” featuring a red-haired hula dancer wearing a red bikini top and coyly holding a grass skirt across her front, with a mirror behind her revealing her rear, a clever, theatrical composition emblematic of the era’s visual humor. These novelty playing cards are beautifully printed and remain in very good condition, with all cards present and only extremely light handling wear, appearing nearly unused. The original flocked box shows expected age-appropriate wear, including surface wear to the flocking, minor wear to the gold paper trim, and some paper loss and wear to the interior lining: all consistent with authentic vintage examples. Pin-up art rose to prominence in the 1930s and 1940s, particularly during World War II, when images of glamorous, optimistic women became symbols of morale, fantasy, and American pop culture. Pin-ups were widely disseminated through magazines, calendars, advertisements, playing cards, and novelty items, many of which were produced by Brown & Bigelow, the most important publisher of pin-up imagery in the United States. Novelty items such as playing cards allowed pin-up artwork to be both functional and discreetly collectible, making them popular souvenirs among servicemen and civilians alike. Today, original pin-up playing cards from this period are increasingly scarce, especially complete sets with original boxes, and are highly sought after by collectors of Art Deco, mid-century modern, and Americana. Gil Elvgren is widely regarded as one of the great masters of American pin-up art, alongside artists such as Alberto Vargas and George Petty. Trained at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Elvgren became Brown & Bigelow’s most successful pin-up artist, producing over 500 paintings throughout his career. His work is celebrated for its exceptional draftsmanship, cinematic lighting, expressive facial detail, and playful narratives, often portraying moments of charming mischief rather than overt sensuality. Elvgren’s paintings helped define the golden age of pin-up illustration, influencing advertising, fashion, and later pop-art movements. Original Elvgren imagery remains highly collectible and continues to be referenced in contemporary illustration, fashion, and tattoo culture. This 1940s Gil Elvgren playing card set represents a rare convergence of fine illustration, graphic design, and novelty craftsmanship, preserved with its original box and both decks intact. It is an outstanding acquisition for collectors of: Vintage pin-up art, Brown & Bigelow memorabilia, Mid-century American illustration, World War II–era ephemera, Art Deco and early Modernist graphic design A charming, historically important, and visually iconic set that captures the spirit of 1940s American pop culture and pin-up artistry at its finest.
  • Creator:
    Brown & Bigelow (Manufacturer),Gil Elvgren (Artist)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Width: 4.88 in (12.4 cm)Depth: 3.88 in (9.86 cm)
  • Style:
    Art Deco (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paper
  • Place of Origin:
    United States
  • Period:
    1940-1949
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1940's
  • Condition:
    The exterior box has wear to the flocking and minor wear on the gold paper trim. Interior of the box has some paper loss and wear. The playing cards are in very good condition, all present and only extremely slight wear, almost new.
  • Seller Location:
    Red Lion, PA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU10258248271972

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