PAINTINGS OF J ALLEN ST JOHN PB: Grand Master of Fantasy [Paperback]

Stephen Korshak (Author), J. David Spurlock (Author), Frank Frazetta (Author)

Book Description

Series: Grand Master of Fantasy | Publication Date: August 11, 2008

This is the greatest work of the greatest pulp artist. The masterful paintings of J. Allen St. John, the illustrator of "Tarzan", John Carter of "Mars", and many other pulp icons, inspired generations of later artists, including Frank Frazetta, Roy G. Krenkel, and Jeffrey Jones. "The Paintings of J. Allen St. John" presents the artist's full-colour fantasy and science-fiction paintings for novels and pulp magazine stories by famous authors, such as Edgar Rice Burroughs. Essays by today's top science-fiction writers, including Jack Williamson, illustrator, Vincent Di Fate and historian, Robert R. Barrett, make this book - Vanguard's second devoted to the art of St. John - essential for any fantasy collection. It includes more than 170 paintings of "Tarzan", John Carter of "Mars", and more - many shot from original paintings. It also features essays by top science fiction authors.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen D. Korshak, is a well-known science-fiction art collector and heir to 1950s sci-fi publisher, Shasta, lives in Orlando, Florida.

J. David Spurlock, an illustrator and historian who has taught at the School of Visual Arts in in New York City, lives in Somerset, New Jersey.

J. Allen St. John lived in Chicago until his death in 1957.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: VANGUARD PRODUCTIONS; 1st edition (August 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887591877
• ISBN-13: 978-1887591874
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,316,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grand master, September 6, 2010

By 

Parka (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: PAINTINGS OF J ALLEN ST JOHN HB: Grand Master of Fantasy (Hardcover)

Length:: 0:43 Mins

A nice tribute to J. Allen St. John, a fantasy artist who inspired other generations of artists. There are over 170 paintings, featuring works for Tarzan, John Carter, covers for magazines and many more.

The paintings are nicely composed, filled with adventure and action. Simply the best examples of fantasy illustration back then. It's easy to see why so many artists are drawn to them, including Frank Frazetta who's clearly influenced by his art.

There are also good essays and interesting quotes throughout the book, to let us get a glimpse of his life and career.

Nice book recommended to fantasy artists.

(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the art of the Grand Master, February 17, 2010

By 

Dennis A. Brennan "Dennis B" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: PAINTINGS OF J ALLEN ST JOHN HB: Grand Master of Fantasy (Hardcover)

The art of J. Allen St. John envokes action, strength and
beauty with every stroke of his paint brush as he went on to
create so many masterful paintings. You will be struck with
awe and fascination the first time your eyes touch each page
of this book as you are drawn into a different time and a
different place. You will see the artistic depth of his work
as well as his ability to capture the tension of the combatants
who are caught in epic struggles to survive.

The book selected paintings that illustrated the depth and
variety of J. Allen St. John a reflection of a lifetime of his
work as well as a legacy of an artist that will live on.

The Paintings of J. Allen St. John: the Grand Master of Fantasy
lives up to its title. A worthy addition to your art library.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars St. John's Legacy, November 23, 2008

By 

8166 "8166" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PAINTINGS OF J ALLEN ST JOHN PB: Grand Master of Fantasy (Paperback)

I was extremely pleased when I received this book. To be able to see where so many great modern fantasy artists took their cues and inspirations from is amazing! His grasp of the anatomy is fantastic and real at the same time.
I really liked the articles within as well. It's good to glimpse something of an artist's life via these excerpt style prose bits. Overall I would highly recommend this book to any artist that struggles with illustration vs. fine art in their own mind. It helps to resolve issues like this by examining how the pros did it.