N.C. Wyeth (Newell Convers Wyeth) | First Editions

1882 - 1945

Newell Convers Wyeth (October 22, 1882 – October 19, 1945), known as N. C. Wyeth, was one of America's greatest illustrators. During his lifetime, Wyeth created over 3,000 paintings and illustrated 112 books, 25 of them for Scribner's. These were known as the Scribner Classics, and constitute the work for which he is best known. The first of these, Treasure Island, was one of his masterpieces, and the proceeds paid for his studio. Wyeth was a realist painter, and had to compete with the rise of camera and photography.  His illustrations are sometimes seen as melodramatic, due to their immediacy - his work was designed to be understood quickly, and universally.

As well as Treasure Island, Wyeth illustrated editions of Kidnapped (1913), Robin Hood (1917), The Last of the Mohicans(1919), Robinson Crusoe (1920), Rip Van Winkle (1921), The White Company (1922), and The Yearling (1939). Moreover (in additon to Scriber's) he produced work for many prominent periodicals, including CenturyHarper's MonthlyLadies' Home JournalMcClure'sOuting, and The Popular Magazine.