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One sheet Ashtabula Horbor Lake Erie vintage rail transport advertising poster for
New York Central Lines, titled "Ashtabula Harbor - Lake Erie". Created in 1926, the artwork was illustrated by Herbert Morton Stoops (1888–1948).
Poster Details
The poster depicts a stylized industrial scene at Ashtabula Harbor in Ohio, where major cargo exchanges took place.
Subject: The artwork features large industrial cranes and ships, highlighting the port's role in exchanging trainloads of Appalachian coal for cargoes of Northern iron ore.
Dimensions: Original lithograph versions have been noted at approximately 40 x 25 inches (101 x 65 cm).
Artist: Herbert Morton Stoops, a noted illustrator, designed this for the New York Central Railroad system to promote its freight and transport capabilities.
The artist of this poster is
Herbert Morton Stoops (1888–1948), an American illustrator and painter celebrated for his dynamic and vigorous style. He was a prolific contributor to the "Golden Age of Illustration," particularly known for his long association with Blue Book magazine.
Artistic Background and Style
Influences: Reared on a ranch in Idaho, his early life among cowboys and Native Americans deeply influenced his frequent themes of the Old West, history, and animals.
Style: Stoops was known for a loose, vigorous Impressionist style. He was highly versatile, working in oils, tempera, charcoal, and watercolor to create images with a strong sense of three-dimensional life.
Pseudonyms: He sometimes used pen names for specific works, most notably Jeremy Cannon for dry-brush illustrations and Raymond Sisley.
Career Highlights
Railroad Posters: In July 1925, he designed the first-ever poster for the New York Central Lines, titled "Castleton Cut-Off". This "Ashtabula Harbor" poster followed in 1926 as part of that same influential campaign.
Magazine Illustration: For over 13 years, he was the primary cover artist for Blue Book magazine. His work also appeared in Cosmopolitan, Collier’s, Liberty, and The American Legion Magazine.
Military Art: A World War I veteran himself, he produced powerful wartime sketches and later designed notable World War II posters for the Office of War Information, such as the famous "Careless Talk" series.
Accolades: In 1940, he was awarded the Isidor Medal from the National Academy of Design for his work Anno Domini. |
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