Charley Harper “Original” Prints
Early in my career I consulted on a limited-edition Charley Harper coffee-table book and through it was introduced to one of my favorite American artists. Since I was too young and broke at the time to afford a copy of the book, I began collecting little pieces of mass-produced Charley Harper ephemera whenever I found it.
Even if you don’t know his name, you would likely recognize one of Charley Harper’s (1922-2007) many illustrations. His work is very stylized and some say epitomizes the mid-century modern aesthetic that is still popular today. In addition to prints, his drawings appear on note cards, wallpaper, upholstery fabric, and even socks! I was first attracted to his birds—of which there are many—but he was known as a wildlife artist, commissioned by many organizations including the National Park Service.
Recently I was searching online for Charley Harper ideas, and discovered that some of the posters commissioned in the 1980s and ’90s by the National Park Service are still available through the federal government! While there are only a handful of the designs still available, I couldn’t believe they could be from the original printing as claimed. I ordered two since they were so inexpensive ($12 and $15 each), and they arrived this week.
- I’m not an expert, but they do appear to be leftover stock from the original printings, dated in the 1980s.
- Reprints of these same designs sell for $40 at the official Charley Harper Art Studio.
- I’ve seen some people selling them for much more on reseller sites.
- Regardless if they are original or not, they are gorgeous—I’m especially thrilled with the size of The Alpine Northwest Poster!
If you like Charley Harper, this feels like a steal. It’s definitely as close as I’ll ever come to owning an “original,” and I’m excited to have it in my home.
I’ve included links below to what posters appear to be available. (I purchased The Alpine Northwest and Atlantic Barrier Islands posters.) If you buy some yourself, I’d love to see your photos.
The Alpine Northwest Poster, 39x29—link to buy
Atlantic Barrier Islands, 24x17—link to buy
Canyon Country, 39x29—link to buy
Isle Royale (no size given)—link to buy
The Rocky Mountains, 39x29—link to buy
“When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don’t see the feathers in the wings, I just count the wings. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts; and herein lies the lure of the painting; in a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe.”
