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December 13, 2007
Strimban Who?
Here's a weird one. The style of the cover really reflects the date of publication - this edition is from 1958 - rather than the content or milieu of the novel, which was written a century earlier. Very strange choice, but the illustration is interesting enough on its own.
Don't know who the "Strimban" is who seems to be credited with making the cover, though a web search brought up the names Robert and Jack Strimban... who have a few joint-credits on SF magazine covers and children's books, though, oddly, the same search found a Robert Strimban who is now a sculptor and a Jack Strimban who is an Op artist. If they're the same artists who created this cover, and the pulp covers, and the kids' books - what a bizarre career.
Update! Just found another cover by this mysterious illustrator, and I like it even more. This is also from 1958... perhaps he created a slew of covers for a series of historical fiction? At any rate, if anyone has any info about this fellow, please let me know.
That looks like my father Jack's art work!
Posted by: Elyse at December 22, 2007 05:10 PM
Posted by: Jeffrey at December 24, 2007 05:20 AM
I also have a book that says it is illustrated by "The Strimbans". It's Cooking for Christmas by Charlotte Turgeon from 1950 and has great kitschy Christmas illustrations done in chartruese and teal, which is primarily why I bought it. I hope to find out more about the illustrator as well.
Posted by: Jennifer at June 8, 2008 05:13 PM
Lots of books illustrated by the Strimbans. I found another cookbook a few months ago "Stars in your kitchen." A cookbook of favorite recipes of famous celebrites from 1953. This book is a marvelous cookbook illustrated and decorated by "THE STRIMBANS"
Posted by: Elyse at June 8, 2008 09:32 PM
Thanks for the suggestion Elyse! Do you know of any other sources for this illustrator?
Posted by: Jennifer at June 9, 2008 02:16 PM
One of the illustrators was my father. I've acquired 30 books over the past 5 years from Abebooks and Barnes and Noble used books. I'm glad you like their art work!! I love getting the books in the mail, like finding treasure!! Another one of my favorites is from 1970. The title is "Dreamers of Dreams" crossroads. James Olsen and Laurence Swinburne, published by Noble and Noble publishers. Most of the art in this book is done by Jack Strimban.
Posted by: Elyse at June 9, 2008 06:31 PM
Thank you both for the informative comments.
Posted by: Jeffrey at June 9, 2008 07:05 PM
Wow Elyse! That is so awesome that your father helped to illustrate these designs. If you would, please email me with some of the other titles that you have acquired, fashiontemptress@gmail.com, or post a comment on my blog, labellaretrofashionista.blogspot.com
Also, thanks Jeff for posting this topic on your blog!
Posted by: Jennifer at June 9, 2008 09:27 PM
Hi Jeff,
I just ordered and received Mary Barton, what a pleasant treat! That was the only year my dad did the cover for that book. Let me know if you come across any other books. Thank you.
Elyse
Posted by: Elyse at July 7, 2008 05:45 PM
I have a blog post of my own with a book cover by, I think, the same people. Mine is The Reluctant Satellites by Leslie B. Bain, published in the mid-fifties.
Posted by: Stephen at February 3, 2009 04:54 PM
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Here's a weird one. The style of the cover really reflects the date of publication - this edition is from 1958 - rather than the content or milieu of the novel, which was written a century earlier. Very strange choice, but the illustration is interesting enough on its own.
Update! Just found another cover by this mysterious illustrator, and I like it even more. This is also from 1958... perhaps he created a slew of covers for a series of historical fiction? At any rate, if anyone has any info about this fellow, please let me know.