1954 Stevan Dohanos "A Serious Scientific Study in Reflex Reaction" Illustration
Appraised Value:
$40,000
IMAGE: 1 of 1
Appraisal Video: (2:11)
Appraised By:
Peter Fairbanks
Paintings & Drawings
President
Montgomery Gallery
Appraisal Transcript:
GUEST: When I was about nine years old, a fellow by the name of Alvin Barrett gave me this painting. Alvin was a major shareholder in Curtis Publishing Company, which published the "Saturday Evening Post." And then July 31, 1954, this was the cover of "Saturday Evening Post."
APPRAISER: And so your... is it uncle received this painting from the Curtis Publishing Company?
GUEST: Yes, uh-huh.
APPRAISER: And when did he get it from them?
GUEST: I think it was October of 1954.
APPRAISER: Oh, really?
GUEST: Yeah, because there's a shipping label on the back of it.
APPRAISER: Oh, that's great. And a description of the painting. And the title of it is... I think it's "A Serious Scientific Study in Reflex Reaction." Reflex reaction. The ice cream truck has arrived and that is reflex reaction, that's for sure. Those kids are headed for it. And do you know much about Stevan Dohanos?
GUEST: Not a thing.
APPRAISER: The work is signed down here in the lower left, by Stevan Dohanos. What's left of it. Busy little hands cleaned it, unfortunately. Well, Dohanos was in a great tradition of illustrators. He did over a hundred covers for the "Saturday Evening Post." He also designed 40 stamps for the U.S. Postal Authority...
GUEST: Oh, you're kidding-- I didn't know that.
APPRAISER: And was really a serious illustrator in the tradition of N.C. Wyeth or Remington. And the "Saturday Evening Post" at this time was publishing almost about... had about a four million circulation, which was extremely high. And they had a large number of illustrators to do their covers, and I think this is a wonderful example. It's obviously from the '50s. It's towards the end of the illustration period. His paintings are in the Whitney Collection. They're in major museums. As well as being a serious illustrator, he was also an excellent artist. I think if you wanted to insure it, I think you probably should have it insured for about $40,000.
GUEST: Oh, wow.
APPRAISER: So... they're highly desired. This is a wonderful example, and, uh, you're a very lucky recipient.
GUEST: Thank you.
