JOSEPH C. LEYENDECKER (1874-1951) THE CENTURY / MIDSUMMER HOLIDAY NUMBER. August, 1896. 211/4x16 inches. W. B. Orcutt, New York. Condition B+: repaired tears and overpainting in margins. German-born Leyendecker, who studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, was most famous for his sporting images of the Arrow Collar Man, which appeared on the covers of magazines and World War I posters. This poster, a very early work, won first prize out of 700 entrants in The Century's poster contest, with second place going to Maxfield Parrish (and third to Baron Arild Rosenkrantz). After winning this award, Leyendecker went to Paris to study at the Academie Julian for one year before returning to America and resuming his successful career. A splendid American Art Nouveau design. Leyendecker p. 66, Kiehl 112, DFP I 282, Reims 1239, Margolin p. 50, Keay p. 69, American Poster 50.
