EARL SOMERS CORDREY (1902 - 1977)
Cordrey was born September 6, 1902 in Piru, California. He grew up Los Angeles, and studied at the Chouinard School of Art in the early 1920s. He began his career as a freelance illustrator in the Sam Hyde Harris studio, and after moving to New York in 1927, studied at the Grand Central School of Art in New York City. Specializing in tightly rendered and highly posed romantic scenes, his covers and story illustrations, including those for F. Scott Fitzgerald, appeared in numerous magazines including Cosmopolitan, Redbook, The American Weekly, and Collier’s in the 1930s and ’40s. He also created post cards of the Stork Club and other high profile commissions outside of periodical illustration. In 1942, he moved back to Southern California and in addition to his ongoing career as an illustrator, worked as an art director and designed the logo for Palm Springs Life magazine, the official seal for the city of Palm Spring, California, and actor William Holden’s Mount Kenyan Safari Club. He retired from commercial work in 1951, but continued to paint landscapes of the California and Mexico desert until his death in 1977. He was a member of the Society of Illustrators.
Cordrey was born September 6, 1902 in Piru, California. He grew up Los Angeles, and studied at the Chouinard School of Art in the early 1920s. He began his career as a freelance illustrator in the Sam Hyde Harris studio, and after moving to New York in 1927, studied at the Grand Central School of Art in New York City. Specializing in tightly rendered and highly posed romantic scenes, his covers and story illustrations, including those for F. Scott Fitzgerald, appeared in numerous magazines including Cosmopolitan, Redbook, The American Weekly, and Collier’s in the 1930s and ’40s. He also created post cards of the Stork Club and other high profile commissions outside of periodical illustration. In 1942, he moved back to Southern California and in addition to his ongoing career as an illustrator, worked as an art director and designed the logo for Palm Springs Life magazine, the official seal for the city of Palm Spring, California, and actor William Holden’s Mount Kenyan Safari Club. He retired from commercial work in 1951, but continued to paint landscapes of the California and Mexico desert until his death in 1977. He was a member of the Society of Illustrators.
Currently available works by EARL SOMMERS CORDREY:
EARL CORDREY 1
$
700.00
Story illustration for an unknown magazine. Gouache and watercolor on board.14" x 10". Signed lower right. Framed. Excellent condition.
