A Golden Age Illustration Painting Comes to Auction

Nearly a century after it first appeared in a national magazine, an original oil painting by legendary American illustrator Dean Cornwell is heading to auction at Weiss Auctions. Cornwell painted the striking 27 by 50 inch canvas as the lead illustration for Sir Philip Gibbs’ short story "A Dragoman of Cairo." It depicts a tense scene of tourists and their guide in the Egyptian desert. The magazine published it in the August 1928 issue of Hearst’s International Combined with Cosmopolitan (Volume 85, No. 2, pages 52 to 53).

The painting comes from the estate of fellow illustrator Sol Korby, who acquired it directly from Cornwell. It carries a conservative pre-sale estimate of $5,000 to $10,000.

About the Painting

Cornwell executed the painting in oil on canvas, and it measures approximately 27 by 50 inches. It retains its original scale and dramatic composition: a sun-bleached Mediterranean coastline crowded with figures in white linen and native dress, gathered around a table mid-conversation. The piece shows some small repairs and minor paint wear, both consistent with its age and its history as a working illustration rather than a painting created solely for gallery display.

Publishers of this era photographed illustrations for print, then often set them aside, damaged them, or lost them entirely. Because of this, a surviving, identifiable original like this one is especially significant to collectors and historians of American illustration.

The Story It Illustrated

Sir Philip Gibbs wrote "A Dragoman of Cairo." He was a British journalist, war correspondent, and novelist widely read in the 1920s and 1930s. The story follows a group of English and American tourists on a Mediterranean cruise. They make an overnight excursion into the Egyptian desert, guided by a local dragoman, or interpreter and guide, named Mustapha. Cornwell’s painting appeared as the lead illustration for the story, spanning pages 52 and 53 of the August 1928 issue.

You can view the complete original 1928 publication, including the full story and Cornwell’s illustration as printed, through the Internet Archive’s digitized copy of Cosmopolitan, August 1928.

Who Was Dean Cornwell?

Design historians consider Dean Cornwell (1892 to 1960) one of the most influential American illustrators of the 20th century. Collectors and historians still call him "the Dean of Illustrators." A student of Harvey Dunn and later Frank Brangwyn, Cornwell built a career illustrating for the era’s major magazines, including Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and American Magazine. He became equally celebrated for large-scale murals, including his work for the Los Angeles Central Library.

Collectors and historians still prize Cornwell’s illustrations for their dramatic use of light and shadow, dynamic compositions, and painterly, almost impressionistic brushwork. All of that is clearly on display in this piece. Demand for his original artwork remains strong today, and a Cornwell painting has realized $246,000 at auction.

More Original Artwork From the Sol Korby Estate

Beyond his role in preserving this Cornwell painting, Sol Korby was an accomplished artist in his own right, and this sale includes a strong selection of his own original work. The estate features numerous paintings that Korby created over his long career, including many of the original works he painted for Bank Leumi’s 5748 (1987 to 1988) calendar.

Lot 107 — Sol Korby Albert Einstein Oil Painting

Korby’s calendar paintings and other fine art pieces reflect the same skill that earned him awards at the Salmagundi Club, the American Artists Professional League, and the Pastel Society of America. For collectors interested in 20th-century American illustration and fine art, this is a rare opportunity to acquire original Korby artwork alongside the Cornwell painting that came from his personal collection.

Condition

The canvas shows some small repairs and minor paint wear. Both are consistent with its age and its history as a working illustration, rather than a painting created solely for gallery display. The catalog listing includes full condition details, and interested bidders are welcome to reach out directly with questions.