Trio in Early Motor Car by Norman Rockwell

July 31, 1920 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

Trio in Early Motor Car, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published July 31, 1920.

Another common name for this painting is Eat My Dust. Still another title is Excuse My Dust.

This painting was Rockwell's thirty-second overall picture out of 322 total featured on the cover of The Post. Rockwell's career with the Post spanned 47 years, from his first cover illustration, Boy With Baby Carriage in 1916 to his last, Portrait of John F. Kennedy, in 1963.

It is also the seventh Rockwell cover in 1920. The Post featured a Rockwell illustration on its cover eleven times in 1920.

The location of the original painting is not known.

This illustration has been reproduced in two Rockwell commentary books, as illustration 133 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and on page 84 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

All of the early Rockwell Post covers are hard to find in great condition. This one is no exception. The original cover commands a high price when it is available. I have seen it sell for over one hundred dollars.

Trio in Early Motor Car

Ah, out for a Sunday afternoon ride in the car.

Sitting three abreast in a single seat vehicle, this family is enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon. They have the wind in their faces, and they are together.

Father is wearing his driving gloves. He also wears a strap to keep his hat from blowing away. That strap is blowing behind him. They must be going fast.

Mother must have her hat secured by hat pins. She looks amused to see the unabashed excitement shown by the boy.

The little pennant that says "EXCUSE MY DUST" is almost completely unfurled. This old car must be faster than it looks.

The car is older. See the rust on the body and the door? No rust is visible on the red car. The chrome on the red car actually looks polished.

The boy is looking back at the red car behind them. He can barely contain his excitement. His necktie is actually blowing behind him.

I can still remember when I was as excited as the boy in this picture about riding around on Sunday afternoon.

The big question for this painting? Did the trio pass the red car or is it going to pass them? Either way, the boy is very excited.

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