Little Book Zodiaque

Gillette Elvgren (1914 1980, ) known as Gil, created some 700 pin-up oils during his long career, more than any other calendar artist. His subjects were flirty, sassy, playful and spirited, quintessential American girls who found themselves unintentionally exposed in myriad ways. They first rose to popularity among troops in World War II, and continued inspiring male fantasies well into the 1970s. Today Elvgren s recognition factor is greater than ever, as his images are collected by men and women alike.

Alberto Vargas took over Esquire magazine’s monthly pin-up post in late 1940. By 1942, when the U.S. joined the war, he had more than a million ardent enlisted fans who carried his pin-ups in backpacks and duffel bags as reminders of the American girls they’d left behind. When Esquire was charged with obscenity over a particularly spicy pin-up in 1943 the military stepped in to fight for the Varga Girl, declaring her necessary to maintain the morale of young fighting men. Today these wartime pin-ups are the most collectible of Vargas’s work. Find them all in this pocket-sized delight.