Three Hawaiian Wood Engravings (SIGNED): "Visitors;" "Celebration;" and "Idols" ("Royal Temple at Kailua")

1935. Paul Landacre conceived these three striking wood engravings in 1935 for an advertising campaign conducted by the Hawaiian Pineapple Company (Dole Pineapple). In 1935, the ad with "Visitors" appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, Better Homes and Gardens, Colliers, and Literary Digest. In 1936, the ad with "Celebration" appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, Colliers, Cosmopolitan, and McCall's. In 1936, the ad with "Royal Temple at Kailua" appeared in Cosmopolitan, the Saturday Evening Post, and Colliers. Each engraving is archivally framed and are in fine condition. A scarce trio of Landacre's Hawaiian wood engravings.

"Visitors" was adapted from an early oil painting depicting hospitable Hawaiians greeting mainland sailing vessels arriving in Kealakekua Bay on the Kona Coast, Hawaii... There are 21 signed impressions and 16 unsigned impressions. Signed, titled and numbered 1 in pencil, lower margin. (Wien 171). The engraving measures 6" x 8", matted in black wood frame (13 1/2" x 15 1/2").

"Celebration" depicts an ancient Hawaiian ceremonial dance. There are 17 signed impressions which may be titled and numbered, some by impression number only. Signed, titled and numbered 1 in pencil, lower margin. (Wien 172). The engraving measures 9 3/4" x 5 1/2") in black wood frame (18" x 13 1/4").

"Royal Temple at Kailua" ("Idols" is an alternate title Landacre used for this print) is based on an old eyewitness illustration in von Kotzebue's Voyage of Discovery (London 1821). There may be 22 signed impressions, some of which may be numbered by impression number only. Signed and numbered 6/50 in pencil, lower margin. (Wien 173). The engraving measures 9 3/4" x 5 1/2") in black wood frame (18" x 13 1/4").

Impressions of "Royal Temple at Kailua" and "Celebration" were exhibited at the Print Club of Philadelphia in 1938 and the Huntington Library in 2004. There are a few signed impressions of "Visitors" in museums, no museum has a signed impression of "Celebration" or "Royal Temple at Kailua" ("Idols").

"These are scarce, signed impressions." (Jake Wien)

The above information is courtesy of Jake Milgram Wien, author of the forthcoming book "Paul Landacre: California Hills and Beyond. A Catalogue Raisonne of the Prints, Drawings, and Paintings." .