In 1936, the former speakeasy and NYC restaurant-club, Jack & Charlie’s “21” (what we now know as The 21 Club) published, “The Iron Gate.” Compiled as a self-promotional tool, this 194-page leather-spined volume featured the articles and illustrations of many of the establishment’s famous clientele. It also served as an opportunity for advertisers to promote their association with the venerable Manhattan institution. The book is like a vintage Society Of Illustrators annual, or a “Dutch Treat Yearbook.” It contains lots of tasty drawings — all done especially for the publication.
In 1950, “The Iron Gate” was revised and re-issued to act as a memorial to Jack Kriendler, one of the two original owners who’d recently passed and also to commemorate the 25th year of the restaurant’s founding. Although some of the original illustrations and articles were included, most of the revised edition is new material. It’s also interesting to see how much the motion picture industry had become a part of the mix.
I’ve scanned selects from both editions to show how well they define each era of illustration and even print advertising. Enjoy!
The 1936 edition of “The Iron Gate”
Jack Kriendler & Charlie Berns.
Illustration: Guy Hoff
Illustration: McClelland Barclay
Illustration: McClelland Barclay
Charlton advert.
Illustration: Alex Raymond
Cartoon: Ham Fisher
Illustration: Bradshaw Crandell
Cartoon: Sid Hydeman
April 1936 Ballyhoo cover by Russell Patterson used as source material for Hydeman’s parody above. (Thanks, Craig Yoe !)
Cartoon: Paul Webb
Cartoon by Popeye’s creator, Elzie Segar.
Illustration: Albert Lefcourt
Design: Constantin Alajalov
Illustration: Paul Frehm
Cartoon: Otto Soglow
Cartoon: Rube Goldberg. This illustration configuration looks interestingly similar to Goldberg’s design of the National Cartoonist’s Society “Reuban Award” trophy.
Article by Ben Hecht.
“The Monmouth” advert with airship Hindenburg. One year later and airship travel wa
s nonexistent.
Cartoon: C.D. Russell
Illustration: Carl Ericson
Pencil sketch: James Montgomery Flagg
Cartoon: Jefferson Machamer
Cartoon: Ad Carter
Article by Damon Runyan
Illustration: Arthur William Brown
Life Magazine cover: George T. Eggleston
Cartoon: Gladys Parker
Illustration: Dean Cornwell
Illustration: Charles Baskerville
Advert with William Steig cartoon.
Advert with Gluyas Williams cartoon.
“Seein’ Stars” by Feg Murray.
Illustration: Russell Patterson
Advert with illustration design by William Oberhardt. He also illustrated the very first cover for Time magazine (March 3 1923).
Illustration: John LaGatta
Cartoon: Billy DeBeck
Libien Press advert.
Illustration: Carl Mueller
Photo-montage by John Robert Powers.
The 1950 Memorial Re-issue of “The Iron Gate”
Jack Kriendler 1898-1947
1950 intro by Robert C. Ruark
RKO Radio Pictures ad.
NY Herald Tribune ad.
Illustration: Bradshaw Crandell
Marlboro ad.
Article by John Steinbeck.
Warner Brothers ad.
WQXR radio (NYTimes station) advertisement.
Illustration: Frank Godwin
Illustration: It says “Walt Disney”, but w
e know HE didn’t do it. . .
Cartoon: Otto Soglow
Updated cartoon by Ham Fisher.
Cartoon by Frank Lasswell.
Cartoon by Ray Gotto.
Cartoon by Wally Bishop.
Pontiac ad.
Cartoon by Hal Foster.
Cartoon by Dave Breger.
Cartoon by Don Flowers.
Rube Goldberg
Russell Patterson
Dick Wingert
American Airlines ad. A pre-cursor to the “Mad Men” era. . .
Edwina
FoMoCo ad.
Jefferson Machamer spread.
Gene Ahern
Bela Zaboly
C.D. Russell
Employee spread.
“Bringing Up Father’s” George McManus
“Polly and Her Pals’” Cliff Sterrett.
Mischa Richter
Constantin Alajalov
Mel Graff
Updated James Montgomery Flagg illustration for 1950 edition.
Hilda Terry
Gladys Parker
Hannah & Ad Carter
Publishers Printing Company & Rogers-Kellogg-Stilson, Inc. advertisement.
“21” matchbook. . .
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