Archive of hand-painted paper models and illustrations by Alan Rose (Original illustrations and mockups) by Rose, Alan - 1985

New York: Perigee, Doubleday, 1985. Archive of four hand-painted paper models, 107 page layout illustrations, and various research materials related to seven "World at Your Feet" paper model books by illustrator Alan Rose, all dealing with various forms of transportation. This listing includes the page illustrations and original master model for the popular DC3 plane, which measures in at over six feet long. From his estate. Archive contains four master paper models (the DC3 plane, the Saturn V rocket, the Hindenburg zeppelin, and the San Francisco cable car) meticulously constructed and hand painted by illustrator Alan Rose for use in the creation of his build-your-own paper model books, as well as 107 drawings and page layouts done by Rose for the paper model books of six different vehicles. The pages present are for the Century Limited, the Titanic, the Saturn V rocket, the 1984 Corvette, the San Francisco cable car, and the highly-desirable DC3 plane model. Nearly all of the illustrations are paired with mylar, frosted mylar, or tracing paper overlays that contain notes, printing instructions, and corrections for the publishers. Research materials for the 20th Century Limited, Empire State Building, and the 1984 Corvette are included in the archive, consisting predominantly of photographs, and 36 color inter-negatives for photographs used on the cover of the Titanic instruction booklet (largely of a child holding a completed model) also included. Although its roots can in some respects be traced back to origami, paper models first gained widespread US popularity during World War II, at a time when paper was one of few materials not heavily regulated by the government. Models experienced a resurgence as a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s in large part due to Rose's books, with his ambitious "World at Your Feet" series unique in having been created largely for adults. In more recent times the hobby has reemerged, as the internet and inkjet printing allowed enthusiasts to print, create, and share models, yet even modern collectors acknowledge Rose's significant contributions, calling his DC3 one of the greatest of all paper models. Page illustrations in this archive characterize the way color picture books were printed before the advent of commercial digital printing technology: most are accompanied by rubylith or amberlith film overlays used in the creation of color separations. Alan Rose attended the Maryland Institute College of Art and contributed to director John Waters' early films while a Baltimore resident. In the early 1970's Rose moved to New York City, where he was a frequent artistic contributor to "National Lampoon" magazine, and later earned widespread acclaim for his popular paper model-building books. Paper trolley car model is 22.5 x 6.5 x 8.5 inches; Hindenburg model is 50 x 8.5 x 9.5 inches, Saturn V is 73 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches, and the triangular DC3 is a whopping 76 x 20 x 9 inches. Models are each housed in custom-made foamcore boxes. Pages and instructions range between 6.25 x 9.75 inches and 27.75 x 31 inches. Titanic inter-negatives 2.5 x 3.25 inches to 4 x 5 inches. All material, including pages and models, in Very Good to Fine condition. Due to the size of the DC3 and Saturn V rocket models, buyer must arrange pickup for these two models from their current Baltimore City location. Shipping for the remaining archive may be billed at cost.