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
$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
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
$926 / 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
$766 / 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
$950
H 28.1 in W 20.1 in D 0.1 in
LEST WE PERISH Original Vintage Antique WWI World War Armenia Propaganda Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
LEST WE PERISH - AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR RELIEF IN THE NEAR EAST Authentic original antique vintage WWI poster Artist: Ethel Franklin Bettsbains Condition: A/A- Dimensions: 20.1 x 28....
Paper
$4,200
H 27.8 in W 20.1 in D 0.1 in
DON'T BE A JOB HOPPER Rare Original Vintage WWII War Propaganda Poster DISNEY
By Walt Disney
Located in Chicago, IL
DON'T BE A JOB HOPPER - STICK TO YOUR JOB! Rare authentic original antique vintage WWII poster Artist: Walt Disney Condition: B Dimensions: 20.1 x 27.8 in. / 51 x 70.6 cm. Circa: 19...
Paper
Ships Wheel with Brass Hub and Inlay
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships wheel with eight turned spokes, mahogany frame, holly inlay and polished brass hub. Weight: 40 LBS Overall Dimensions: 43" Diameter Made: America Material: Wood / Brass Date: ...
Brass
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
$850
H 40.2 in W 30 in D 0.1 in
DEATH ON SUBS! U.S. NAVY DISPATCH Original Vintage World War WWII Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
DEATH ON SUBS! U.S. NAVY DISPATCH Authentic original vintage WWII poster Artist: Jon Whitcomb Condition: A- Dimensions: 30 x 40.2 in. / 76.2 x 102.1 cm. Circa: 1943 Linen Backed The...
Paper
$850
H 40.2 in W 30 in D 0.1 in
FULL SPEED AHEAD! PRODUCE FOR YOUR NAVY Original Vintage World War WWII Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
FULL SPEED AHEAD! PRODUCE FOR YOUR NAVY - VICTORY BEGINS AT HOME! Authentic original vintage WWII poster Artist: Jon Whitcomb Condition: B+ Dimensions: 30 x 40.2 in. / 76.2 x 102.1 c...
Paper
$700
H 40.2 in W 30.3 in D 0.1 in
KEEP THESE OFF THE U.S.A. Original Vintage Antique WWI War Propaganda Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
KEEP THESE OFF THE U.S.A. - BUY MORE LIBERTY BONDS Authentic original antique vintage WWI poster Artist: John Norton Condition: A- Dimensions: 30.3 x 40.2 in. / 77 x 102 cm. Circa: 1...
Paper
"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