The marine paintings by Anton Otto Fischer are as authoritative as only a working sailor could make them.
Born in Munich, Germany, but orphaned as a boy, Fischer ran away to sea at 16 and spent eight years before the mast on a variety of sailing ships. Paid off in New York, he stayed to apply for American citizenship and to teach seamanship on the school ship, St. Mary's. He later served as a hand on racing yachts on Long Island Sound and worked as a model and handyman for the illustrator A.B. Frost. When he had saved enough money, he spent two years at the Académie Julian in Paris under Jean-Paul Laurens.
Returning to the United States, Fischer sold his first picture to Harper's Weekly in 1908, around the time he moved to Wilmington to receive critiques from Howard Pyle. Everybody's Magazine sent him the first of several Jack London stories. In 1910, he began a 48–year association with The Saturday Evening Post, which included illustrating serialized characters such as Peter B. Kyne's "Crappy Ricks," Norman Reilly Raine's "Tugboat Annie," Guy Gilpatrick's "Glencannon," as well as serials for Kenneth Robert and Nordhoff and Hall.
In 1942, he was given the rank of Lieutenant Commander as "Artist Laureate" for the United States Coast Guard and was assigned North Atlantic convoy duty on the Coast Guard cutter Campbell during the winter of 1943. The Campbell was disabled during a successful attack on a German U-boat, and Fischer's dramatic paintings of this experience were published by Life magazine. The pictures are now in the Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut.
In 1947, Fischer wrote and illustrated a book about his earlier sailing years, entitled Focs'le Days: A Story of My Youth, published by Charles Scribner's Sons.
Find original Anton Otto Fischer paintings and prints on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by The Illustrated Gallery)
Anton Otto Fischer Pen and Ink Book Illustration Drawing
By Anton Otto Fischer
Located in New Windsor, NY
A small pen and ink rendering by the famed nautical and maritime artist, Anton Otto Fischer (Fisher) (1882-1962). Matted and backed in cardboard. Signed with initials, AOT, lower lef...
Paper
Original Vintage War Propaganda Poster Careless Word Needless Sinking WWII
By Anton Otto Fischer
Located in London, GB
Original vintage World War Two propaganda poster - A Careless Word... A Needless Sinking - featuring dynamic artwork by the Saturday Evening Post illustrator Anton Otto Fischer (1882...
Paper
Rare Port and Starboard Lanterns
Located in Norwell, MA
Rare port and starboard lanterns with Fresnel red and blue/green lenses. Brass cases. Electrified. 6.5 x 6 x 5.5.
Brass
Polished Steel Ships Port and Starboard Lanterns
Located in Norwell, MA
Pair of polished and lacquered ships port and starboard lanterns with clear glass Fresnel lenses, vented chimney tops, carry handles and sliding rear doors. ...
Steel
$300Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 30 in W 24 in D 0.01 in
Vintage Cold War Propaganda Poster "Khrushchev Wants You" by Rolly Crump
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage cold war propaganda poster - "Khrushchev Wants You" or "We'll Bury You" by Roland "Rolly" Crump, circa 1961. This is a very rare poster in great co...
Paper
$905 / item
H 8.67 in Dm 30.32 in
21st Century Almeria Large Towel and Shoes Handwoven Basket with Handles
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Part of the Almeria collection this Pinetti hand-woven basket made with eco-friendly washable and resistant material suitable also for outdoor use. Perfect for shoes holders...
Leather
$748 / item
H 11.03 in W 17.72 in D 25.01 in
21st Century Almeria Oval Towel and Shoes Handwoven Basket Made in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Extremely elegant and versatile, part of the Almeria series. Made with eco-friendly, washable and resistant regenerated leather this oval basket is perfect as a wood holder, in a living room or as shoes or towel basket...
Leather
$550
H 29 in W 21.2 in D 0.1 in
EAT MORE CORN EAT LESS MEAT Antique Original Vintage WWI War Propaganda Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
EAT MORE CORN, OATS AND RYE PRODUCTS - FISH AND POULTRY Rare authentic original antique vintage WWI poster Artist: L.N. Britton Condition: B+ Dimensions: 21.2 x 29 in. / 53.7 x 73.7 ...
Paper
$900
H 31.9 in W 24.2 in D 0.1 in
CZECHOSLOVAKS CARRY ON Rare Original Vintage WWII World War Propaganda Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
CZECHOSLOVAKS CARRY ON Rare authentic original vintage WWII poster Artist: "P" Condition: A- Dimensions: 24.2 x 31.9 in. / 61.5 x 81 cm. Circa: 1942 Linen Backed The poster was roug...
Paper
$750
H 34.6 in W 22.8 in D 0.1 in
HELPT DEZE VLEK VERWIJDEREN Original Vintage Dutch WWII War Propaganda Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
HELPT DEZE VLEK VERWIJDEREN - Dutch WWII Poster Rare authentic original vintage WWII poster Artist: M.H. Condition: A- Dimensions: 22.8 x 34.6 in. / 58 x 88 cm. Circa: 1941 Linen Bac...
Paper
Carved and Painted Tuna Fish Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Expertly carved trade sign reminiscent of those that used to hand in the large waterfront fish piers in England. This tuna has been authentically painted, fitted with iron hanging bo...
Wood
$3,500
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.1 in
ITS MY RIGHT TO FIGHT FOR AMERICA Original Vintage WWII War Propaganda Poster
By Robert Jones
Located in Chicago, IL
IT'S MY RIGHT TO FIGHT FOR AMERICA Rare authentic original vintage WWII poster Artist: Robert Jones Condition: A/A- Dimensions: 16 x 20 in. / 40.6 x 50.8 cm. Circa: 1944 Linen Backed...
Paper
$1,050
H 32.1 in W 24 in D 0.1 in
CZECHOSLOVAKIA WILL LIVE AGAIN Original Vintage WWII World War Propaganda Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
CZECHOSLOVAKIA WILL LIVE AGAIN Rare authentic original vintage WWII poster Artist: "P" Condition: A- Dimensions: 24 x 32.1 in. / 61 x 81.5 cm. Circa: 1942 Linen Backed The poster wa...
Paper
Brass and Steel Yacht Pulley
Located in Norwell, MA
Polished brass and steel yacht pulley. This was completely disassembled and polished. Weight is 1 pound. X-136
Brass, Steel
"At Full Sail" by Anton Otto Fisher
By Anton Otto Fischer
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on canvas, signed in the lower right. This oil on canvas featuring a ship at full sail measures 31.25" x 41.5" including the frame. It is in excellent condition and ready to hang. Anton Otto Fisher 1882 - 1962, German/American Best known for his Gloucester, Massachusetts fishing scenes, war convoys, and marine battle...
Paint