'Bicentennial Independence Celebration' by Norman Rockwell, 1976, Benjamin Franklin, Saturday Evening Post

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Signed lower right, 'Norman Rockwell' (American, 1894-1978) and inscribed, lower left, with number and limitation '200/200'.

Originally created for the … Read more Signed lower right, 'Norman Rockwell' (American, 1894-1978) and inscribed, lower left, with number and limitation '200/200'.

Originally created for the May 29, 1926 edition of the Saturday Evening Post, the original Post cover was published celebrating the then sesquicentennial (150 year) anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, with this limited edition print series created in honor of the bicentennial anniversary. The lithograph was hand proofed and printed by Eleanor Ettinger Gallery in October 1976. The Ettinger edition consists of a total of 320 impressions, 200 of which were signed and numbered by Rockwell, together with 60 artist proofs. An additional 35 prints were pencil signed and designated with Roman numerals, and a further 25 deluxe prints printed on Japon paper.

In 1728, Benjamin Franklin created a publication in Philadelphia that became the Saturday Evening Post. Rockwell's greatest wish was to have his own drawings appear on the cover of that magazine. In 1916, Rockwell achieved his dream and began a long career of creating over 300 covers for the Post. This cover is one of the Post's most significant since it draws a connection between the founding of the United States of America and the Saturday Evening Post itself. Norman Rockwell is remembered for his wonderful illustrations of American life and culture, and this cover directly relates Rockwell's work to the formation of America. See less