E. Simms Campbell Paintings

American, 1906-1971

Elmer Simms Campbell (January 2, 1906 – January 27, 1971) was an American commercial artist best known as the cartoonist who signed his work, E. Simms Campbell. The first African-American cartoonist published in nationally distributed, slick magazines, he created Esky,the familiar pop-eyed mascot of Esquire. Campbell was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of educators, Elizabeth Simms Campbell & Elmer Campbell He then enrolled in the University of Chicago. After one year, Campbell left the University of Chicago and transferred to and received his degree from the Chicago Art Institute. He spent two years at Triad Studios before moving to New York City in 1929. taking classes at the National Academy of Design. During this time, he contributed to various magazines, notably Life, & Judge. Following the suggestion of cartoonist Russell Patterson to focus on good girl art, Campbell created his "Harem Girls", a series of watercolor cartoons that attracted attention in the first issue of Esquire, debuting in 1933. Campbell's artwork was in almost every issue of Esquire from 1933 to 1958 & he was the creator of its continuing mascot, the cartoon character in a silk top hat. He also contributed to The Chicagoan, Cosmopolitan, Ebony, The New Yorker, Playboy, Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life, Pictorial Review, and Redbook. His commercial artwork for advertising included illustrations for Barbasol, Springmaid,Hart Schaffner & Marx. Campbell also was the author of a chapter on blues music in the 1939 book Jazzmen, a seminal study of jazz's history and development. Campbell died in White Plains, New York, in 1971 His gag panel, Cuties, was syndicated by King Features in more than 145 newspapers "A Night-Club Map of 1930s Harlem" Of enduring cultural & historical interest is the witty, cartoon-filled map Campbell drew in 1932 – "A Night-Club Map of 1930s Harlem" identifying the attractions of Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance and adding his personal notes. He captures the intensity of the scene: within a few blocks of each other he has cartooned Cab Calloway singing at the Cotton Club, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson doing his step dance at the Lafayette Theater – "Friday night is the Midnight show, Most Negro revues begin and end here." Lissome "cafe au lait girls" dance at Small's Paradise. Outside, doormen welcome White swells in top hats, while an elegant Black couple in evening dress dance "the Bump" Campbell's map appears in the book version of Ken Burns's documentary Jazz. The map in its entirety also appears as the inside front cover of "Of Minnie the Moocher and Me", the autobiography of Cab Calloway by Cab Calloway and Bryant Rollins (TY Crowell, 1976). Jazz historian Mike Thibault reports that the original was displayed by the Smithsonian in 1996.The map is currently held at the Yale Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. On April 4, 2017, National Geographic published an article on the map that included the map and several enlarged sections of it. They featured it again during 2020 to subscribers of their newsletter, among a collection of unique maps of New York City. Recognition

Artist: E. Simms Campbell

E. Simms CampbellSanta Claus Sexy Playboy Cartoon First African American Illustrator, Elmer Simms, 1963

$25,000

Santa Claus Sexy Playboy Cartoon First African American Illustrator, Elmer Simms

By E. Simms Campbell

Located in Miami, FL

Santa has a quickie with Mom. Elmer Simms Campbell was the first African American Illustrator to work for major newsstand magazines. Published December, 1963 Signed in pencil lower...

Category

1960s Realist E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Illustration Board, Pencil

E. Simms CampbellNude Playboy Cartoon, First African American Illustrator Elmer Simms Campbell, 1966

$30,000

Nude Playboy Cartoon, First African American Illustrator Elmer Simms Campbell

By E. Simms Campbell

Located in Miami, FL

E. Simms Campbell was the first and top black commercial artist in the USA for decades. In "Grandma," we see a deeply conceptual work, with the blank canvas as the main point of the...

Category

1960s Impressionist E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Illustration Board, Pencil

E. Simms CampbellBeautiful Maidens Nude Women Harem, Playboy Cartoon African American Illustrator, 1962

$25,000

Beautiful Maidens Nude Women Harem, Playboy Cartoon African American Illustrator

By E. Simms Campbell

Located in Miami, FL

E. Simms Campbel was the first major African American Illustrator. He did covers for Esquire Magazine starting in the 1930s. He created the famous bulging-eyed Esquire Mascot “Esky.” He also worked for The Chicagoan, Cosmopolitan, Ebony, The New Yorker, Playboy, Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life, Pictorial Review, and Redbook. This work, "What do you mean your wife doesn't understand you ---- I'm your wife!" is from Cuties Daily Comic Strip, June 18, 1950 He was inducted into the Society of Illustrators' Hall of Fame in 2002. His work demonstrates a deep and masterfully understanding of drawing figures and faces in an academic but stylized style. "My pleasure, boys. Always glad to see a delegation from the States." From the Playboy Collection...

Category

1960s Impressionist E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

E. Simms CampbellHarem: Sexy Nude Girl Illustration for Playboy. First Black Illustrator, 1960

$25,000

Harem: Sexy Nude Girl Illustration for Playboy. First Black Illustrator

By E. Simms Campbell

Located in Miami, FL

Playboy Magazine ran this joke cartoon illustration in color on page 43 for the October 1960 edition. Signed lower right. The work is executed on a heavy Whatman Illustration board....

Category

1960s American Modern E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Illustration Board, Pencil, Gouache

Howard RogersNude Sitting, c.1990

$2,700

H 17.75 in W 21 in D 1.5 in

Nude Sitting

By Howard Rogers

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork "Sitting Nude" c.1990, is an oil painting on hardboard panel by noted American artist Howard Rogers, b.1932. It is signed at the lower right corner by the artist. The artwork (panel) size is 8.85 x 11.85 inches, framed size is 17.75 x 21 inches. Framed in original wooden gold and grey frame, with fabric liner and gold bevel. It is in excellent condition, the frame have very small minor restorations, practically invisible. About the artist: Howard Rogers wanted to be an artist for as long as he could remember. "I had no idea what an artist was when I was a kid," he laughs. "But I had a distant cousin who had gone to art school and I saw some of his drawings. They really impressed me." Born and raised in San Diego, California, Rogers now focuses on the future: "I kind of enjoy today and tomorrow and to heck with yesterday." While in high school, Rogers took some art classes and served as an apprentice sign painter, eventually becoming a journeyman. He was also a member of his high school track team, competing in the high jump, the hurdles and cross-country, as well as doing some bike racing. Following a stint in the Army, he began training for the Olympics in bike racing, trying out in 1948, 1952 and 1956. Today, "I ride a stationary bike in front of my easel three times a week." After trying out for the 1956 Olympics...

Category

Late 20th Century American Impressionist E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Oil

French SchoolFrench Expressive Charcoal Sketch of a Standing Nude Figure

$121Sale Price|20% Off

H 13.75 in W 9 in D 1 in

French Expressive Charcoal Sketch of a Standing Nude Figure

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Standing Nude Figure black pen drawing on artist paper painting: 13.75 x 9 inches provenance: private collection, England condition: very good and sound condition

Category

20th Century Impressionist E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Ballpoint Pen

Jacqueline BoisselotFrench Modernist Seated Female Figure Pencil Life Drawing, 20th Century

$620

H 25.5 in W 19.75 in

French Modernist Seated Female Figure Pencil Life Drawing

By Jacqueline Boisselot

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Title French Modernist Seated Female Figure Pencil Life Drawing Artist Jacqueline Boisselot French late 20th century Medium Graphite pencil on artist paper unframed Size 25.5 x 19.75...

Category

Late 20th Century Modern E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Pencil, Graphite

Jacqueline BoisselotSeated Female Nude Purple Interior French Modernist Acrylic Painting, 20th Century

$819

H 19.75 in W 25.5 in

Seated Female Nude Purple Interior French Modernist Acrylic Painting

By Jacqueline Boisselot

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Title Seated Female Nude Purple Interior French Modernist Acrylic Painting Artist Jacqueline Boisselot French late 20th century Medium Acrylic and graphite pencil on artist paper unf...

Category

Late 20th Century Modern E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Pencil

Janet MorganInterspecies Communication, colorful mythological swirling pattern orange tones, 2017

$1,200

H 17 in W 17 in D 0.5 in

Interspecies Communication, colorful mythological swirling pattern orange tones

By Janet Morgan

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Watercolor, mixed media, using resists and metalic paints and old pastels. For Octopus and cephalopod fans. Janet Morgan’s explosive art captures the exu...

Category

2010s Expressionist E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Watercolor, Archival Paper

Louis BellonFrench Pointillist Reclining Male Nude Mid 20th Century Painting, c. 1950s

$992Sale Price|20% Off

H 5.5 in W 10 in

French Pointillist Reclining Male Nude Mid 20th Century Painting

By Louis Bellon

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Pointillist Reclining Male Nude by Louis Bellon (French 1908-1998) initialled lower right gouache painting on paper, unframed measurements: 5.5 x 10 inches (overall the sheet measures 8.25 x 11.9 inches) provenance: private collection of the artists work, Provence, France Condition report: very good, colour strong, thin paper, margins of sheet show light marks but image is clean Beautiful Neo-Impressionist 1940's French pointillist...

Category

Mid-20th Century Pointillist E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Watercolor

Jacqueline BoisselotStudies of Men in Hats French Modernist Graphite Portrait Drawing, 20th Century

$751

H 19.75 in W 25.75 in

Studies of Men in Hats French Modernist Graphite Portrait Drawing

By Jacqueline Boisselot

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Title Studies of Men in Hats French Modernist Graphite Portrait Drawing Artist Jacqueline Boisselot French late 20th century Medium Graphite pencil on brown textured artist paper unf...

Category

Late 20th Century Modern E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Pencil, Graphite

Louis BellonFrench Neo-Impressionist Pointillist Reclining Nude Mid 20th Century Painting, c. 1940s

$1,322Sale Price|20% Off

H 7.5 in W 11 in

French Neo-Impressionist Pointillist Reclining Nude Mid 20th Century Painting

By Louis Bellon

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Pointillist Female Reclining Nude by Louis Bellon (French 1908-1998) signed lower right gouache painting on paper, unframed measurements: 11 x 7...

Category

Mid-20th Century Pointillist E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Watercolor

Japanese Shunga, Sitting Woman, Circa 1922

$4,850

H 19.25 in W 23.25 in

Japanese Shunga, Sitting Woman

Located in New Orleans, LA

A beautiful example of the Japanese art form known as shunga, this sensual work depicts woman exploring her sexuality. Hand-painted on paper with splashes of vivid gouache color, the...

Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper, Gouache

French SchoolFrench Cubist Modernist Still Life Kettle Bottle Sieve Gouache Acrylic, Mid 20th Century

$640

H 27.5 in W 20 in

French Cubist Modernist Still Life Kettle Bottle Sieve Gouache Acrylic

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Title:French Cubist Modernist Still Life Kettle Bottle Sieve Gouache Acrylic Medium: Gouache and acrylic on artist paper, unframed Size: 27.5 x 20 inches (height x width) Signed low...

Category

20th Century French School E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Gouache, Felt Pen

Jacqueline BoisselotSigned French Modernist Seated Male Nude Figure Pencil Life Drawing, 20th Century

$620

H 25.75 in W 19.75 in

Signed French Modernist Seated Male Nude Figure Pencil Life Drawing

By Jacqueline Boisselot

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Title Signed French Modernist Seated Male Nude Figure Pencil Life Drawing Artist Jacqueline Boisselot French late 20th century Medium Graphite pencil on thin artist paper unframed Si...

Category

Late 20th Century Modern E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Pencil, Graphite

Rene VincentFrench Art Deco Golf Illustration Watercolor Drawing After René Vincent, circa 1940

$1,100

H 18.94 in W 15 in D 0.82 in

French Art Deco Golf Illustration Watercolor Drawing After René Vincent

By Rene Vincent

Located in Atlanta, GA

A striking Art Deco watercolor created after an original design by René Vincent (1879-1936), this lively golfing scene captures the playful elegance and graphic charm associated with...

Category

1920s Art Deco E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Parchment Paper, Ink, Watercolor

Previously Available Items

E. Simms Campbell"What do you mean your wife" First African American Illustrator - Black Artist, 1950

Sold

H 9.5 in W 12 in

"What do you mean your wife" First African American Illustrator - Black Artist

By E. Simms Campbell

Located in Miami, FL

E. Simms Campbel was the first major African American Illustrator. He did covers for Esquire Magazine starting in the 1930s. He created the famou...

Category

1950s Academic E. Simms Campbell Paintings

Materials

Ink, Watercolor, Board

E. Simms Campbell paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic E. Simms Campbell paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by E. Simms Campbell in paint, pencil, watercolor and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1960s and is mostly associated with the Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large E. Simms Campbell paintings, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Bernie Fuchs, Pauline Palmer, and Robert Philipp. E. Simms Campbell paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $22,000 and tops out at $22,000, while the average work can sell for $22,000.