The second of the nine or ten Landmark Books that I was fortunate enough to have assigned to me was the Santa Fe Trail, also by Samuel Hopkins Adams. Before the manuscript was available, I was asked to make rough cover sketches.
The second of the nine or ten Landmark Books that I was fortunate enough to have assigned to me was the Santa Fe Trail, also by Samuel Hopkins Adams. Before the manuscript was available, I was asked to make rough cover sketches.
Title: The Santa Fe Trail
Subject: The most appropriate and exciting thought that came to mind was, had to be, Indians attacking the wagon train. I made my roughs, sent them in. The publisher was pleased and requested that I provide finished art. The finished art was delivered. Lettering was added, mechanicals completed, color separations made and color proofs delivered.
THEN a copy was sent to the author.
Mr. Adams indicated that he was impressed with the art, but somewhat puzzled...nowhere in the book do Indians attack a wagon train.
I seem to recall one of the editors muttering something about "...prevailing upon Adams to perhaps add a paragraph somewhere alluding to the possibility of such an event." That of course, was never done, but the cover remained for the long life of the book.
In this same book, one Captain William Becknell, described as rugged, bearded, pipe-smoking and wearing a floppy hat, was the first man to lead a wagon train across the plains and desert to Santa Fe. This man HAD to be illustrated. So, a job of research, including a search of the very extensive Picture Collection at the Central Branch of The New York Public Library. Nothing existed! Nowhere was there any picture representation of William Becknell.
My solution:
Draw an uncaptioned chapter opener with a portrait of a man as described in the text. To give the illustration validity, show, behind the figure, the American flag of that period, unique in that there were 24 stars arranged on the blue field in the form of a large 5 pointed star. I did just that.
Reader beware. I didn't say the figure was Captain Becknell, but, if you choose to think so . . . well, you have been warned!
Years later, back at the Public Library Picture Collection, while searching in the "B" section for, I think it was Beau Brummel, Lo and Behold! there were 5 tear sheets of my drawing of Captain William Becknell, with, behind his head, an American flag with 24 stars arranged in the shape of a large star!