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James Montgomery Flagg
“She struggled until she heard him telling her to be quiet.”

1933

$4,500
£3,477.03
€4,019.78
CA$6,358.83
A$7,131.85
CHF 3,734.84
MX$86,658.88
NOK 47,426.18
SEK 44,963.36
DKK 30,005.52

About the Item

Story illustration for “Tin Crown” by Rex Beach for Cosmopolitan, published February 1933, page 61. Battling writer's block, songwriter Bertram Berry relies on the hidden talents of Rosa Turini, a shy but gifted composer. Joe Dugan, Berry's astute publisher, recognizes Rosa as the true creative genius behind Berry's recent hits. Berry marries Rosa, primarily to have access to a steady stream of music to plagiarize, then quickly begins an affair with the wealthy Isabel Clark, seeking a divorce from Rosa. In a pivotal scene, vividly illustrated by James Montgomery Flagg, a heartbroken Rosa calls Joe, hinting at her willingness to concede to a divorce. Joe picks her up to talk, but their drive is interrupted by a staged "stick-up." Two men emerge from a nearby car, ordering them to put up their hands. Rosa screams as one man forces her out of the car and demands she remove her dress, despite Joe's furious protests. Joe quickly realizes it's a setup: "It's a frame-up! Cameraman and everything!" A third man, unmasked, sets up a camera, confirming Berry's elaborate scheme to create a compromising photograph of a half-clad Rosa and Joe. This would force a divorce, ostensibly saving Berry from alimony payments while ruining Rosa's reputation. After the blinding flash of the camera, the assailants flee, leaving a shaken and confused Rosa and an enraged Joe. The scheme fails to achieve Berry's desired outcome. His divorce is announced, followed swiftly by his marriage to Isabel Clark. However, Isabel soon discovers Berry's financial troubles and his inability to compose, leading to her quick disillusionment and eventual divorce from him. Meanwhile, Joe Dugan offers Rosa a job as a composer at Mink and Dugan, pushing her to overcome her insecurity and embrace her talent. The story concludes with Berry, now broke and creatively dry, seeing Rosa's new hit song, realizing her success while he faces ruin. Medium: Watercolor and Pencil on Board Signature: Signed Lower Left
  • Creator:
    James Montgomery Flagg (1877 - 1960, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1933
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Fort Washington, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 21431stDibs: LU38431158413

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