Gramps at the Plate by Norman Rockwell

August 5, 1916 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

Gramps at the Plate, this Norman Rockwell painting, was featured on the August 5, 1916 issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

This was the third of over 300 Rockwell cover to appear on the cover of The Post.

The location of the original oil on canvas painting is unknown.

This painting has been reproduced in one Rockwell commentary book,on page 74 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

I have seen copies of this original cover sell for more than 200 dollars in pristine condition. This cover doesn't turn up at auction very often.

The Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post Cover... that almost wasn't

The story behind the publishing of this cover is one of Rockwell's most interesting.

The editor of The Saturday Evening Post at the time was George Horace Lorimer. After approving and buying Rockwell's first two cover paintings, Boy with Baby Carriage and Circus Barker and Strongman, Mr. Lorimer started to test his aspiring young illustrator.

At the first presentation of the painting, Mr. Lorimer said the old man looked too rough and tramplike. Anxious to continue his success and cement his career with the Saturday Evening Post, Norman Rockwell dutifully repainted Gramps.

At the second presentation, Mr. Lorimer said the old man looked too old. Rockwell painted it again. Next, the kid was too small. He painted it again.

Rockwell painted and repainted this cover a total of five times. Finally, he passed the Post editor's test... and passed with flying colors.

He remarked in his autobiography, My Adventures as an Illustrator, that he wondered if the editor knew how close he came to giving up.

Another Masterwork by Norman Rockwell

Rockwell's favorite subjects to paint were children, older people and pets.

In Gramps at the Plate, Rockwell painted two of his favorite subjects.

Gramps looks very competent and competitive with the baseball bat in his hand. He is sizing up the pitcher. Gramps is ready to knock it out of the park. Gramps is serious about his baseball.

We assume the little boy is Gramps' grandson. Let's call him Sonny. Sonny has removed his catcher's mask.

With a grin on his face, Sonny is directing the pitcher to throw number 2. From Sonny's stance, we can tell the pitch will be low and outside.

The mystery of this painting is whether Gramps will be able to even hit low and outside. Gramps must be a pretty good hitter if they are throwing around him!

As is obvious from the painting, Norman Rockwell was a masterful storyteller.

Norman Rockwell's Gramps at the Plate (1916)

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