The illustrator Edward Penfield created Saturn Press's bright and cheery birthday card – Eight Pots. Penfield was an American illustrator in the "Golden Age of American Illustration" and is considered by some to be the father of the American poster. He was born June 2, 1866, in Brooklyn, NY. As a child, he showed an early talent for art and studied at the New York Art Students League in NYC. While there, he came under the influence of George de Forest Brush, a well-known painter known for his striking compositions.
Edward Penfield first worked for Harper's Weekly, where he later became Art Director. While at Harper’s, he created a series of monthly posters that were characterized as the definitive graphic works of the 1890s. One of his most well-known covers was the 1896 Harper's Christmas poster. The woman in the red coat embodies his unique drawing style – simultaneously elegant and simple with bold coloring that captures the eye.
Penfield continued to design posters and covers for other magazines including Scribner’s and Collier’s and also branched out into book illustrations.
He was married to Helen Watson Penfield and died in Beacon, NY on February 8, 1925, leaving behind him a lasting impact on American visual culture.
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See Eight Pots card.
