Metropolitan Magazine Cover - June 1919 (Featuring a woman in a floral bonnet by Rolf Armstrong)
Vintage magazine cover print on paper, framed • Rolf Armstrong (illustrator)
Style & Movement
American Illustration, Golden Age of Illustration, Art Deco precursor
Medium & Technique
Photomechanical print / lithographic reproduction of original pastel or oil painting illustration
Creation Period
June 1919 (original publication)
Dimensions & Format
Vertical format, approximately 11 x 14 inches for the visible print area within a decorative frame
Subject Description
A classic glamour illustration featuring a smiling dark-haired woman wearing a large, frilly, floral-patterned bonnet, set against a dark blue background with the magazine masthead 'Metropolitan' and text promoting an article by Raymond Robins on Bolshevik Russia
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good, showing vibrant colors with minor reflections from glass and standard age-related toning of paper beneath
Estimated Market Value
50 to 150 USD
Auction Estimate
30 to 80 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a vintage paper ephemera collection, antique store, or estate sale, subsequently custom framed for decorative display
Art Historical Significance
Illustrates the popular culture and magazine illustration style of post-World War I America, showcasing the work of Rolf Armstrong, one of the premier cover artists and pin-up pioneers of the era
Notable Features
Includes the artist's signature 'Rolf Armstrong' visibly incorporated into the lower right of the illustration and the original period typography of the Metropolitan magazine header
Condition Issues
Potential fading due to historical light exposure, minor paper acidity or toning typical of 20th-century wood-pulp paper
Conservation Recommendations
Display away from direct sunlight, utilize UV-filtering glass, and maintain stable indoor humidity to prevent paper degradation