Petty: The Classic Pin-Up Art of George Petty (Hardcover)

by Reid Stewart Austin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Even if you've never heard of George Petty, you're sure to recognize the airbrushed profile of the Petty Girl. She was the face (and legs) of the 1930s, the pinup World War II soldiers languished over, even part of the reason for Esquire's early success. In this handsome portfolio of Petty's work, the Petty Girl shines in all her period glory, from Esquire centerfolds to hosiery ads to calendars. Reid Stewart Austin's accompanying biographical text illuminates Petty's battles with Esquire publisher David Smart, as well as his forays into Hollywood design and even merchandising. Petty's empire was a family business; his wife Jule helped think up ideas, and son George posed as the Petty Girl's date. Petty's main model, however, was his leggy daughter Marjorie, who contributes an introductory essay to this volume.

Review
Just as the cool, unapproachable Gibson Girl was the feminine ideal of young men at the turn of the century, the voluptuous Petty Girl ... became the ideal of their wide-eyed sons.... I'm going on the record to swear that George Brown Petty 4th consistently created better-designed women than God, and now I've got a big beautiful book to prove it. -- The New York Times Book Review, George Lois

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Gramercy (September 16, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517201151
• ISBN-13: 978-0517201152
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #138,948 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Petty-Legendary Pin-up Artist, October 29, 1999

By	Chris Hughes ([e-mail]) (Jacksonville, Arkansas) - See all my reviews

Besides containing hundreds of photos of some of Petty's best works for Esquire and Old Gold this book also contains the story of the artist, George Petty. From the beginning of his art career to his run arounds with the stuffed shirts at Esquire. The author masterfully paints a picture of a man that created one of America's most endearing icons. This book also contains a brief but very interesting story about the author searching out, finding, and actually meeting his hero a few short years before his death. Excellent read and masterfully designed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes me wish I was a B-17 Bomber!!, November 12, 1998

By A Customer

I'm a big fan of the classical pin-up. George Petty's work is the epitome of pin-up art. His girls always seem to talk to you, to tease you. I was lucky enough to purchase this book and I feel my money was well spent. This book also tells the story of Petty's birth, childhood, and eventual rise to fame in the pages of Esquire, True and several other popular magazines of this era. It also tells how he became enthralled in the war effort and how his "girls" became the dreams and fantasies of many a G.I. during WWII, and especially one of his pieces recreated on the nose of the famous "Memphis Belle". This book is for the aspiring pin-up artist (like myself) too as well as the pin-up enthusiast. Do check it out!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, December 12, 2008

By	Emilie Cox "obsessedbybooks" (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. Excellent service and shipping and I absolutely love the book. If any is looking for the classy pin-up story this is it.