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Lot Essay
John Falter was one of America’s top illustrators of the twentieth century, completing 185 cover illustrations for the widely distributed and hugely popular publication The Saturday Evening Post, as well as over 300 recruiting posters for the U.S. Navy. Falter’s An Early State Fair depicts a nostalgic, early twentieth century scene in the heartland of America. The composition demonstrates Falter’s hallmark attention to detail, with crowds of people seen enjoying a leisurely sunny day at a state fair in Iowa. Various vignettes of wholesome entertainment—from the balloon salesman to the Ferris wheel and band—come together to create an image of an idyllic event during simpler times in rural America.
An Early State Fair was presented by the Petro-Lewis Corporation to Dwight C. Moorhead in honor of his 50th birthday. Moorhead was one of the founders and Chief Financial Officer of the corporation. An Early State Fair depicts a fair in Iowa, Moorhead's home state. As a boy he frequented the state fair, even competing in a spelling bee in the large building in the background.
An Early State Fair was presented by the Petro-Lewis Corporation to Dwight C. Moorhead in honor of his 50th birthday. Moorhead was one of the founders and Chief Financial Officer of the corporation. An Early State Fair depicts a fair in Iowa, Moorhead's home state. As a boy he frequented the state fair, even competing in a spelling bee in the large building in the background.