Frederick R. Gruger Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Frederick R. Gruger Art Value Price Guide

Sep. 13, 2024
F. R. Gruger - original Illustration 'The First Race of Blue Dandy' 1934
Est: -
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (1871-1953) original Illustration 'The First Race of Blue Dandy' , graphite pencil & wash on artboard, depicting an Afro-American emerging from the bushes, signed lower left, the image margins defined with a straight line beyond which are the printer's notes, 'cut whites/eng. lights' , highlight - halftone' , 'Bassini'. etc, also a possible date, 6/27 Printed to complement the story "The First Race of Blue Dandy" , centered on the Kentucky Derby and commenting on the situation where Afro-Americans could not attend the race. Saturday Evening Post, September 1934
Moorabool Auctions
Aug. 04, 2024
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger Illustrations, Saturday Evening Post
Est: $100 - $200
Description: A group of five illustrations by Frederic Rodrigo Gruger for the Saturday Evening Post depicting various subjects. Type: Illustration, drawing Materials: Ink, charcoal, graphite, paperboard Markings & Inscriptions: Four are signed or initialed Date: Early 20th century Maker: Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) Dimensions: Largest: 13.25" x 17". Smallest: 8" x 9.5". Provenance: From a Lansdale, Pennsylvania collection.
Hoch LTD.
Aug. 04, 2024
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger Illustrations, Saturday Evening Post
Est: $100 - $200
Description: A group of five illustrations by Frederic Rodrigo Gruger for the Saturday Evening Post depicting various subjects. Type: Illustration, drawing Materials: Ink, graphite, paperboard Markings & Inscriptions: Four are signed or initialed, one labeled verso Date: Early 20th century Maker: Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) Dimensions: Largest: 22" x 14.25". Smallest: 10.75" x 10.5". Provenance: From a Lansdale, Pennsylvania collection.
Hoch LTD.
Jun. 20, 2024
(SATURDAY EVENING POST) FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER (1871-1953) "The House of Darkness."
Est: $600 - $900
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER (1871-1953) "The House of Darkness." Story illustration published in The Saturday Evening Post, December 27, 1930. Pencil on paper. 11 3/4 x 17 inches. Signed in lower right image.
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 15, 2022
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER (1871-1953) Romance on the veranda.
Est: $500 - $750
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER (1871-1953) Romance on the veranda. Likely illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, circa 1930. Graphite and wash on artist board. Oval image measuring 300x405 mm; 11 3/4x16 inches, on 12 1/4x17 1/2-inch sheet. Inscribed and signed "To Bruce from F. R. Gruger" in lower right. Handsomely framed in gold wood oval matted and frame measuring 23x25 inches.
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 15, 2022
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER (1871-1953) Women in conversation.
Est: $400 - $600
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER (1871-1953) Women in conversation. Magazine story illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, with their label adhered to verso. Graphite on thin board. 315x315 mm; 12 1/2x12 1/2 inches, on slightly larger board. Signed "F. Gruger" in lower right image.
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 16, 2021
FREDERIC GRUGER (1871-1953) "'I shall count to five before I fire.' said Davison. 'One!'" [SATURDAY EVENING POST]
Est: $700 - $1,000
FREDERIC GRUGER (1871-1953) "'I shall count to five before I fire.' said Davison. 'One!'" Illustration for "House of Darkness" by C. E. Scoggins, published in The Saturday Evening Post, December 20, 1930, page 19. Graphite on thin board. 292x408 mm; 11 1/2x16 inches. Signed "F. R. Gruger" in upper right image. Attached to matte with archival tape; framed.
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 16, 2021
FREDERIC GRUGER (1871-1953) Man and Woman Talking with Oxen in Background. [SATURDAY EVENING POST]
Est: $600 - $900
FREDERIC GRUGER (1871-1953) Man and Woman Talking with Oxen in Background. Probable magazine story illustration for the The Saturday Evening Post, with their label adhered to verso of frame. Graphite on thin board. 280x410 mm; 11x16 inches. Inscribed and signed in upper right image, "To Miss Grace [illegible] / F. R. Gruger." Not dated. Attached to matte with archival tape; framed.
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 08, 2019
ORIGINAL FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER (1871-1953)
Est: $400 - $600
Original Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (1871-1953) Illustration / Drawing on Board for the Saturday Evening Post. A well dressed man and woman aboard a ocean liner. Stamp on back states "This drawing must not be reproduced for any purpose. It is copyrighted by the Curtis Publishing Company. The Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia". Measure 9 1/4"x14". Weight 3 oz. PROVENANCE: The Estate of Jacob Bates Abbott, Artist and Illustrator, by descent. Gruger was one of the most highly regarded and prolific illustrators of the day. In 1939, Time proclaimed him the dean of U.S. magazine illustrators. Norman Rockwell looked up to him as one of our greatest illustrators. His work appeared everywhere, he created an astonishing 6,000 illustrations between 1898 and 1943, but his true home was with the Post, for which he did thousands of illustrations. The same Time article stated, After 1899 when George Horace Lorimer became editor of The Saturday Evening Post, Gruger became the mainstay of that magazine. The Posts romantic and period fiction, got half its atmosphere from Grugers old fashioned, deep-browed men and frail but credulous women. Gruger had a long, successful career working for the top magazines and companies, including The Saturday Evening Post, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Harpers, Century, Colliers, Scribners, McClures, and Good Housekeeping.
Charleston Estate Auctions
Nov. 21, 2019
Frederic Gruger (1871 - 1953) Charcoal
Est: $100 - $200
Original Charcoal Illustration. for a 1920's magazine. Five Figures in an interior room. 11" x 19".
Weiss Auctions
Jan. 24, 2019
Frederic Gruger (1871 - 1953) Charcoal.
Est: $200 - $400
Original Charcoal Illustration. for a 1920's magazine. Five Figures in an interior room. 11" x 19".
Weiss Auctions
Feb. 10, 2018
Frederic Gruger pencil and ink wash
Est: $200 - $400
Frederic Gruger (American 1871-1953)- ''The Flying Fish, Pt. 2''- pencil and ink wash, signed F. R. Gruger lower left in ink, light struck. 10 1/4 x 12 1/2''
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Jan. 27, 2018
F. R. Gruger Painting and Book, 2 items
Est: $500 - $700
(2 items - painting and book). Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (Pennsylvania, 1871-1953) ink, watercolor and gouache on paper grisaille painting of man and woman standing on the deck of a ship; signed lower right "F.R. Gruger". This painting was an original illustration for Stephen Whitman's "Children of Hope," published in The Century Magazine, November, 1915, page 16. Label en verso with caption for this illustration: "She felt sure this careless speech masked a sentimentalism intensely congenial to her own". Matted and framed under glass in a stained oak frame. Sight - 11" H x 7 1/2" W. Framed - 21 3/4" H x 17 3/4" W. Also included with this lot is the book "The Golden Age of American Illustration: F. R. Gruger and His Circle" by Bennard B. Perlman, published by North Light Publishers, Westport, Connecticut, 1978. This painting is featured on page 98. Provenance: Private Nashville, TN collection. Biography: Frederic Gruger was one of America's most pre-eminent illustrators of The Golden Era of Illustration (1910-1920). He got his start with the Century magazine and went on to work for other publishers and advertisers including The Saturday Evening Post, with which he became most closely associated. He taught at the Art Students League and was posthumously elected to the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 1981. (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com.)
Case Antiques, Inc. Auctions & Appraisals
Dec. 14, 2017
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER. Elevated Train.
Est: $600 - $900
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER. Elevated Train. A sweet illustration depicting a conversation between an African-American man and a young girl, for an unidentified publication. Watercolor and white gouache on thick card stock. 356x260 mm; 14x10 1/2 inches. Signed in lower left. Taped to matted at top and bottom of verso. Provenance: From the Collection of the Society of Illustrators.
Swann Auction Galleries
Nov. 03, 2017
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER (AMERICAN, 1871-1953) THE BRACELET, COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZIN
Est: $800 - $1,200
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) The Bracelet, Cosmopolitan magazine interior illustration, July 1930 Pencil and ink wash on board 10-1/2 x 18-1/2 inches (26.7 x 47.0 cm) (sight) Signed lower left: F.R. Gruger PROVENANCE: Illustration House, New York, October 6, 1993; Acquired by the present owner from the above. HID04901242017
Heritage Auctions
Apr. 18, 2015
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger, American (1871-1953), Two seated men, pencil on paper, 8 x 10 1/2 inches
Est: $150 - $200
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger American (1871-1953) Two seated men, pencil on paper, signed lower right, framed. 8 x 10 1/2 inches
Link Auction Galleries
Jan. 23, 2014
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER. “Money, Money, Money.”
Est: $500 - $750
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER. "Money, Money, Money." Pencil and wash on illustration board. Illustration for Harry Leon Wilson published in The Saturday Evening Post, February 10, 1923, page 7. 290x455mm; 11 1/2 x18 inches. Signed "F. R. Gruger" in pencil lower left. Matted.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jan. 23, 2014
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER. “Crusade.”
Est: $400 - $600
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER. "Crusade." Pencil on illustration board. Illustration for Donn Byrne story published in The Saturday Evening Post, September 24, 1927. 290x167 mm; 11 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Matted.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jul. 26, 2012
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger, (American, 1871-1953), Couple Seated on Bench
Est: $700 - $900
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) Couple Seated on Bench charcoal on paper signed F. R. Gruger and titled (lower left) 11 1/2 x 11 inches.
Hindman
Mar. 07, 2012
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger American, 1871-1953 Compositional Sketch
Est: $400 - $600
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger American, 1871-1953 Compositional Sketch Graphite on paper 10 x 7 1/2 inches Provenance: Robert C. Graham, Sr. Edith Graham By descent C Estate of Robert C. Graham, Sr.
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Jun. 22, 2011
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) "One day the old woman warned us there was a gang of bushwhackers operratin' down the road a piece,"
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
"One day the old woman warned us there was a gang of bushwhackers operratin' down the road a piece," illustration for Irvin S. Cobb, "Ex-Fighting Billy," Pictorial Review, June 1917, p 9. Signed. Mixed media. 27.5 x 37.3cm (10 13/16 x 14 11/16in). Matted and framed.
Bonhams
Jun. 22, 2011
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) "Alderman MacDougal introduced an ordinance providing that the price of gas should not thereafter exceed seventy-five cents a thousand feet,"
Est: $800 - $1,000
"Alderman MacDougal introduced an ordinance providing that the price of gas should not thereafter exceed seventy-five cents a thousand feet," illustration for Will Payne's "The Gas War," The Saturday Evening Post, January 16, 1915. Signed. Pencil and wash. 30 x 23cm (11 13/16 x 9 1/16in).
Bonhams
Jun. 22, 2011
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) "French toast and dropped eggs; and--Oh, Uncle!--we're going to see Jimmy to-day,"
Est: $1,200 - $1,500
"French toast and dropped eggs; and--Oh, Uncle!--we're going to see Jimmy to-day," illustration for George Weston's "The Old Dominie," The Saturday Evening Post, March 25, 1916. Signed. Pencil and wash. 21.5 x 30cm (8 7/16 x 11 13/16in).
Bonhams
Jun. 22, 2011
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) Figure studies for illustration.
Est: $600 - $800
Figure studies for illustration. Mixed media. 25 x 20cm (9 13/16 x 7 7/8in).
Bonhams
Jun. 22, 2011
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) "'I'll fill that ole burglar so full of holes that his hide will look like a sieve!'"
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
"'I'll fill that ole burglar so full of holes that his hide will look like a sieve!'" Illustration for L. B. Yates's "Major Miles and the Grim Reaper," Saturday Evening Post, July 18, 1914. Signed bottom right. Mixed media. 28.2 x 16.3cm (11 1/8 x 6 7/16in).
Bonhams
Jun. 22, 2011
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) Two men in a workroom,
Est: $1,200 - $1,500
Two men in a workroom, illustration for an unknown publication. Signed. Mixed media. 27 x 26.4cm (10 5/8 x 10 3/8in). Matted.
Bonhams
Jun. 22, 2011
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) Studies for unidentified magazine illustrations,
Est: $1,000 - $1,200
Studies for unidentified magazine illustrations, comprising: 1. A woman standing before a seated man in front of a fireplace. Pencil and wash. 2. An old man by a kerosene lamp, being comforted by three figures in early nineteenth century dress. Charcoal and wash. Various sizes.
Bonhams
May. 22, 2010
Frederic R. Gruger (1871-1953) Story illustration:
Est: -
Frederic R. Gruger (1871-1953) Story illustration: "Balisand", author: Joseph Hergesheimer, Saturday Evening Post, August 9, 1924, p. 23; Five colonial men prepare to go to arms.
Illustration House
Feb. 11, 2010
Frederic Gruger, (American, 1871-1953), A Pair of works
Est: $500 - $700
Frederic Gruger (American, 1871-1953) A Pair of works ink and wash each signed Largest 10 1/2 x 10 inches.
Hindman
May. 31, 2009
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) "And All Things Else" 1925 pencil illustration for The Saturday Evening Post
Est: $300 - $500
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) "And All Things Else" 1925 pencil illustration for The Saturday Evening Post signed lower right For And All Things Else by Thomas McMorrow, 1/3/25 10 1/2" x 15 3/8"
Ripley Auctions
May. 31, 2009
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) "Money, Money, Money" 1923 graphite illustration for The Saturday Evening Post
Est: $400 - $600
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) "Money, Money, Money" 1923 graphite illustration for The Saturday Evening Post signed lower left For Money, Money, Money by Harry Leon Wilson, 2/10/23 11 1/2" x 17 7/8"
Ripley Auctions
May. 31, 2009
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) "Crusade" 1927 pencil illustration for The Saturday Evening Post
Est: $200 - $400
Frederic Rodrigo Gruger (American, 1871-1953) "Crusade" 1927 pencil illustration for The Saturday Evening Post unsigned For Crusade by Donn Byrne, 9/24/27 11 1/2" x 6 1/2"
Ripley Auctions
Jul. 12, 2008
Frederic Gruger illustration (Frederic Rodrigo
Est: $400 - $800
Frederic Gruger illustration (Frederic Rodrigo Gruger, Pennsylvania, 1871-1953), titled verso "Something New", run down barn, illustrated in J. Hergesheimer, The Foolscap Rose Unfolded, The Banker, published in The Saturday Evening Post, May 19, 1934, signed lower right "F. R. Gruger", graphite and wash on card, pencil inscriptions in margins, large "S.E.P." with inventory number and copyright label verso for The Saturday Evening Post, unframed, 13-3/8 x 18-7/8 in. Toning, handling grime, pencil inscriptions in margin. Graham Gallery, New York (label verso); The Estate of the Late Margaret D. Gruger, Anderson, South Carolina
Brunk Auctions
Jul. 12, 2008
Two Frederic Gruger illustrations (Frederic
Est: $400 - $800
Two Frederic Gruger illustrations (Frederic Rodrigo Gruger, Pennsylvania, 1871-1953): "That's Fur Me to Know and for You to Find Out" for Irvin S. Cobb, "The Smart Aleck", published in The Saturday Evening Post, July 18, 1914, page 5, signed lower left "F.R. Gruger", graphite and wash on card, 12-7/8 x 9-3/4 in., modern frame, toning, taped at all edges; "'Don't cry! It's not your fault you're ugly'" Susie wailed the louder", from Galsworthy, Jane's First Lame Duck, published in the Delineator, April, 1929, illustrated page 11, graphite on paper laid on card, publication notes verso, 13 x 11 in., wood frame, grime, toning. Both frames with abrasions. The Estate of the Late Margaret D. Gruger, Anderson, South Carolina
Brunk Auctions
Jul. 12, 2008
Two Frederic Gruger illustrations (Frederic
Est: $500 - $1,000
Two Frederic Gruger illustrations (Frederic Rodrigo Gruger, Pennsylvania, 1871-1953): "From time to time Gervase smiled a little, quietly, when he thought no one was looking", illustration for Porter Emerson Brown, Somewhere In, McClures Magazine, July, 1916, illustrated page 29, signed lower right "F.R.G.", 14-1/2 x 10-3/4 in., pencil inscriptions in margins, label upper right "Please return this drawing", handling grime, toning, wood frame; group of three elderly people conversing and seated in an interior, signed lower left "F.R. Gruger", inscribed verso "12/6/Unidentified", 11-5/8 x 15-5/8 in., hinged at top, light toning, gilt wood frame, each graphite on card Both frames with abrasions. The Estate of the Late Margaret D. Gruger, Anderson, South Carolina
Brunk Auctions
Jul. 12, 2008
Two Frederic Gruger watercolors (Frederic Rodrigo
Est: $600 - $1,200
Two Frederic Gruger watercolors (Frederic Rodrigo Gruger, Pennsylvania, 1871-1953): "The Little Red Schoolhouse - Bermuda", circa 1912, signed lower left "F.R. Gruger/Bermuda"; garden and house with open shutters, signed lower right "F.R. Gruger/Bda", each watercolor on card, 10-5/8 x 13-3/8 in.; matching modern gilt wood frames with French mats. Both taped in, light toning. The Estate of the Late Margaret D. Gruger, Anderson, South Carolina
Brunk Auctions
Jul. 12, 2008
Frederic Gruger illustration (Frederic Rodrigo
Est: $400 - $800
Frederic Gruger illustration (Frederic Rodrigo Gruger, Pennsylvania, 1871-1953), woman hiding in brush, illustrated in W.D. Edwards, "Indians at McClennan's", The Saturday Evening Post, May 9, 1936, signed lower left "FRG", graphite and wash on card, 14-1/8 x 11-1/2 in.; modern wood frame, both frames with abrasions. Inscriptions in margins, light toning, taped at edges; frame with abrasions. The Estate of the Late Margaret D. Gruger, Anderson, South Carolina
Brunk Auctions
Jul. 12, 2008
Two Frederic Gruger drawings (Frederic Rodrigo
Est: $400 - $800
Two Frederic Gruger drawings (Frederic Rodrigo Gruger, Pennsylvania, 1871-1953): "He had blundered upon the watchman in the cabin" from Norman Duncan's, The Cutting Out of the Heavenly Home, "Ainslee's Magazine", July, 1902, signed upper left in pencil "F.R. Gruger", graphite and wash on card, partial inscription verso "...blundered...the watchman...", 7-3/8 x 8-1/8 in., wood frame, trimmed with canted corners, taped at four points verso; two of the artist's father (John Gruger), pencil on paper, 8-1/4 x 4-3/4 in. (page), original black-painted frame, toning, hinged at top, light foxing. All frames with abrasions. The Estate of the Late Margaret D. Gruger, Anderson, South Carolina
Brunk Auctions
Jul. 12, 2008
Frederic Gruger illustration, (Frederic Rodrigo
Est: $400 - $800
Frederic Gruger illustration, (Frederic Rodrigo Gruger, Pennsylvania, 1871-1953), "She felt sure this careless speech masked a sentimentalism intensely congenial to her own", from Stephen Whitman, Children of Hope, published in The Century Magazine, November, 1915, illustrated page 16, signed lower right "F.R. Gruger", gouache on card, 11-3/8 x 7-3/4 in.; wood frame. Taped in at edges verso; frame with abrasions. The Estate of the Late Margaret D. Gruger, Anderson, South Carolina
Brunk Auctions
Jul. 12, 2008
Two Frederic Gruger drawings (Frederic Rodrigo
Est: $400 - $800
Two Frederic Gruger drawings (Frederic Rodrigo Gruger, Pennsylvania, 1871-1953): study of a woman for an illustration titled "I don't live anywhere, she said at last", from O'Higgins, From the Life, published by Harper & Brothers, 1919, graphite and wash in grisaille, 5-7/8 x 3-7/8 in., black-painted frame with New Jersey framer's stamp verso, not removed from original frame, with note from artist's wife "I know this framed figure was part of a drawing FRG was not pleased with and which he destroyed. However, this figure was considered worth saving..."; studies of women, signed lower right "F.R. Gruger", pencil on card, 10-3/4 x 12-3/4 in., with glass but lacking frame; label present for The Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Fifth Annual Exhibition, 1904, toning, light foxing. The Estate of the Late Margaret D. Gruger, Anderson, South Carolina
Brunk Auctions
Oct. 31, 2007
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER, American, 1871-1953, "The Sectional House"., Ink on paper, 11" x 14". Framed.
Est: $400 - $500
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER American, 1871-1953 "The Sectional House". Signed lower left "F.R. Gruger". Original drawing for The Century, June 1904. Ink on paper, 11" x 14". Framed.
Eldred's
Nov. 09, 2006
FREDERIC R. GRUGER (American 1871 - 1953 )
Est: $500 - $1,000
FREDERIC R. GRUGER (American 1871 - 1953 ) The Devil and Daniel Webster, 1939 Graphite on paper 11-1/4 x 22in. Signed upper left RThe Devil and Daniel Webster by Stephen Vincent Benet, The Saturday Evening Post, October 24, 1936, original magazine story illustration Caption: For his voice could search the heart, and that was his gift and his strength PROVENANCE: From the collection of John McLaughlin
Heritage Auctions
Oct. 29, 2004
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER (1871-1953)
Est: $300 -
FREDERIC RODRIGO GRUGER (1871-1953) Original Illustration, c.1920 Pencil on paper 10.25in. x 16.5in. (sight size) Signed lower right: F.R. Gruger Provenance: Morris Weiss collection
Heritage Auctions
Oct. 27, 1999
Frederic R. Gruger, American, 1871-1953; "2 Women Talking by
Est: $200 - $400
Fireplace"; 8 7/8" x 7 5/8" watercolor on paper laid down on paper, pencil signed "Gruger" lower right outside of image on backing paper, unframed; Provenance: Estate of Charles Morris Young, PAFA, 1869-1964.
William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals