Harlequin Artists Part XXXIII - Max Ralph (3)

Another couple of covers by mid-century Canadian artist Max Ralph for Harlequin Books. Ralph signed nine covers.

Harlequin 39

Harlequin 39 - April 1950

Harlequin 78 - October 1950

Harlequin Artists Part XXXII - Max Ralph (2)

I recently found an ad in a 1950 issue of Maclean's that solved a Harlequin artist mystery. Earlier this year I discussed an artist who signed his two Harlequin covers as "NMR". And here I discussed an artist who signed his work as "Ralph". I speculated that this was Max Ralph. Now I know the two artists are N. Max Ralph. The Maclean's ad notes that the art is the work of "N Max Ralph" and the signature is clearly the same. There is also a third signature - "R". Why three different ways of signing his work?

Here are examples of each plus the ad.

Maclean's - October 15, 1950 - p. 65

Harlequin 44 - April 1950

Harlequin 44

Harlequin 42

Harlequin 42 - April 1950

Harlequin 103

Harlequin 103 - March 1951

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

Harlequin Artists Part IX - "NMR"

I mentioned in the last posting in this series that a few Harlequin artists can't be identified from their signature. Here's a couple who only initialed their work. "NMR" is seen on two early Harlequins. "NS" on Rasputin.

Harlequin 44

Harlequin 154

Harlequin 44 - April 1950

Harlequin 45 - May 1950

Harlequin 154 - February 1952