Thursday 9 February 2012

Harlequin Artists Part VIII - Eric Nasmith (1)

There are 480 different illustrated covers on books Harlequin published between 1949 and 1959. About 60% are signed. But a few of the signed covers are little help in identifying the artist. Either because there are initials or the signature is illegible.

Here is an example of the latter. This signature is better than most but still not entirely clear. The last five letters are clearly "smith" but what are the first? - "na" or "nu" or something else? are they part of the last name or first name? The two Harlequins below are the only ones with this signature.

Harlequin 285

White Circle 435

There is a tempting similarity with the signature of Murray Smith who did eight White Circles for Wm. Collins Sons & Co. Canada from 1949 to 1951. The "th" are alike. Smith could have changed his signature over the years.

Harlequin 271 - January 1954

Harlequin 285 - March 1954

White Circle 435 - 1951

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