Norman Rockwell And The Country Gentleman

During this time period, Rockwell's art was becoming nationally recognized. His work on magazine covers was greatly responsible for his growing fame.

His subject matter for these covers concentrated mostly on themes interesting to the rural readers of The Country Gentlemen. Children, dogs, grandparents... just as with Farm And Fireside, almost anything Americana made a good subject for a cover.

Cousin Reginald: Norman Rockwell's Scapegoat and Hero

Several of Rockwell's early The Country Gentleman covers dealt with the exploits of Cousin Reginald. Cousin Reginald was from the city. His country cousins led him through an assortment of adventures from 1917 through 1919.

Cousin Reginald went fishing, kissed girls, and played pirates among other things. He was the teacher's pet and loved school. America watched his life unfold through the eyes and on the canvas of Norman Rockwell.

Rockwell himself spent many summers of his youth in the country. Was the Cousin Reginald series concieved in part as an autobiography?

Other Norman Rockwell Favorites in The Country Gentleman

Many other Rockwell favorites appeared on The Country Gentleman's cover during his five year run.

Christmas and winter covers were always reader favorites. The 1921 Christmas cover, A Drum for Tommy, is a classic Santa Claus painting. No one painted a jollier old elf than Norman Rockwell.

The 1920 Christmas cover brings back memories for anyone who remembers cutting down their own Christmas tree, whether years ago or just last Christmas.

About The Country Gentleman

"The Oldest Agricultural Journal in the World" was published by the Curtis Publishing Company. Curtis Publishing also published The Saturday Evening Post.

The similarities in style between The Gentleman and The Post suggest a "house style." Or possibly just a style that worked for selling magazines.

Whether the similarities were accidental or intentional, The Country Gentleman was a very widely read magazine. The arrival of Norman Rockwell on its cover cemented its place as the best "Agricultural Journal in the World" with many of its readers.

The low cover price of 5 cents made the magazine affordable to all but the poorest. What a great deal to get a beautiful work of art for 5 cents!

Many of the Rockwell illustrated The Country Gentlemen covers that appear on Best Norman Rockwell Art .com were purchased at auction on eBay. The depth and breadth of selection of Norman Rockwell magazine covers on eBay has varied from week to week. Experience and watching has taught seasoned collectors patience. Watching often and long enough will reward your patience with what you seek.

A few of these covers were purchased on other used book sites like Abebooks.com and Alibris.com. The selection of magazine covers on any other site suffers when compared to eBay. However, Abebooks and Alibris both have better selections of old books and even sheet music illustrated by Rockwell.