Gil Elvgren illustrative art 'Pin-Ups' will catch the eye of collectors in California

Another item involving Charlies Martignette's illustrative art collection is led by Gil Elvgren's Pin-Ups

Another selection of saucy illustration art images are going under the hammer in a Californian auction taking place in a couple of weeks' time, led by offerings from the extraordinary collection from the Estate of Charles Martignette.

Another grouping of prime canvases by the master of Pin-Up Art, Gil Elvgren will be offered, and the auctioneer will no doubt be hoping to match some of the previous Elvgren results from the collection.

For example, A Near Miss (Right on Target), featuring a doll-like beauty who has had her skirt hitched up by an arrow fired whilst she was retrieving another from a target, sold for $143,400 in 2009.

Gil Elvgren's I hope the boys don't draw straws tonight

A total of 873 lots will be going under the hammer. "This is our first Illustration Art auction of 2012 and it's shaping up to be superb," said Todd Hignite, the auction house Vice President.

"Just about every illustrator collectors could hope for is represented, from all genres and time periods. It's a deep selection that should very much impress those who are passionate about the form."

The expected top lot here is Elvgren's cheeky 1946 Brown and Bigelow calendar illustration, "I Hope the Boys Don't Draw Straws Tonight," estimated at $50,000-75,000. It has already received a bid of $25,000.

Let's eat out - already carrying a bid of $26,000

Other highlights from Elvgren include his Everything Seems Awfully High Around Here! from the same year featuring a short-skirted maid (estimated at $30,000-40,000). It was reproduced as figure 195 in Gil Elvgren - All His Glamorous American Pin-Ups by Martignette and Meisel.

Then there is Let's Eat Out ($40,000-60,000), which is already on $26,000.

Other illustrators featured in the sale include Hugh Joseph Ward (who created the classic The Evil Flame art which we've reported on previously) and Alberto Vargas, one of Playboy's great artists.

Elvgren's Everything Seems Awfully High Around Here!

The Illustration Art Signature Auction will take place on March 1-2.

Collectors interested in real pin-ups may wish to take a look at signed glamour photographs we're offering from stock of Goldie Hawn, Brigitte Bardot and Julie McCullogh.

Recent and related articles

· Beatles guru Maharishi sandals expected to transcend $100,000 estimate | 16 November 2011

· Marilyn Monroe movie dresses set to dazzle memorabilia collectors | 6 October 2011

· Video of the Week... The Frank M Robinson collection of pulps and books | 2 March 2011

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Images: Heritage