Harlequin Artists Part XXXI - Max Ralph (1)

Likely the best known early Harlequin (and certainly the most expensive) is Brian Moore's first book Wreath for a Redhead. But the fame doesn't keep the unsigned artist from being anonymous. 

However a few other Harlequins may help with identifying the artist. The art for the two books on either side of Wreath for a Redhead, to my eye, look like the work of the same artist. If that's the case then the artist on Wreath for a Redhead is Max Ralph. The Index of Canadian Illustrators lists him without any information. But I have seen an ad in a 1950 Maclean's with his signature matching the one on the Harlequin.

Harlequin 103

Harlequin 101 - March 1951

Harlequin 102 - March 1951

Harlequin 103 - March 1951