Norman Rockwell Art and The Literary Digest

Covers and Advertisements: 1918 to 1968

The Literary Digest cover featured Norman Rockwell illustrations a total of 48 times.

Rockwell's art first appeared on the cover August 17, 1918. Over the next five years, readers were treated to his paintings almost every month.

Almost all of Norman Rockwell's cover illustrations were topical or current events topics. This was keeping with the editorial policies of The Digest itself. The magazine featured current events and political commentary in its articles.

From large topics such as World War I to such mundane topics as paying bills to special covers for holidays, Rockwell captured his viewer's attention.

Here is our list of The Literary Digest covers featuring artwork by Norman Rockwell.

After the covers list, you will find a list of the Rockwell illustrated advertising art that appeared inside and on the back cover of The Literary Digest.

Norman Rockwell's The Literary Digest Covers

Each clickable link will connect you to the page dedicated to that particular Norman Rockwell illustration. Each page features a scan and commentary. Enjoy.

1918

• August 17, 1918 - Boy Showing Off Badges
• November 9, 1918 - Keep Them Smiling
• December 14, 1918 - In Redeemed Belgium

1919

• February 8, 1919 - Oh Boy!
• March 1, 1919 - Story of the Lost Battalion
• April 19. 1919 - Smiles in Belgium Once More
• June 14, 1919 - Back to His Old Job
• July 26, 1919 - Taking Mother Over The Top
• September 6, 1919 - Mother Sending Children Off to School
• September 20, 1919 - Topics Of The Day
• November 22, 1919 - Thanksgiving
• December 20, 1919 - Under the Mistletoe

1920

• January 17, 1920 - Man Reading Thermometer
• February 21, 1920 - Grandpa Listening In On The Wireless
• May 8, 1920 - Planning The Home
• July 3, 1920 - Vacation
• August 14, 1920 - Home From The County Fair
• September 4, 1920 - Off To School
• November 6, 1920 - End Of The Working Day
• November 20, 1920 - The Toy Maker
• December 18, 1920 - Children Looking in Toy Store Window

1921

• January 29, 1921 - Mother Tucking Children into Bed (featuring Norman Rockwell's first wife Irene)
• February 26, 1921 - First of the Month
• March 26, 1921 - Mother and Daughter Singing In Church
• April 30, 1921 - Cobbler Studying Doll's Shoe
• May 28, 1921 - Spectators at a Parade
• June 25, 1921 - Memories
• July 30, 1921 - Man on Dock Fishing
• August 27, 1921 - Vacation's Over
• September 24, 1921 - The Music Lesson
• October 22, 1921 - One of Uncle Sam's Assets - A Girl Scout!
• November 26, 1921 - Couple Uncrating Turkey
• December 24, 1921 - The Story of Christmas

1922

• February 25, 1922 - The Old Master
• March 25, 1922 - The Reading Hour
• April 15, 1922 - Woman Pinning Boutonniere on Man
• May 27, 1922 - Mending The Flag
• June 24, 1922 - Settling An Argument
• July 29, 1922 - Barefoot Boy Daydreaming
• September 23, 1922 - The Artist's Daughter
• October 28, 1922 - While The Audience Waits
• December 2, 1922 - For A Good Boy

1923

• January 13, 1923 - A Hopeless Case
• March 31, 1923 - Bedtime
• July 28, 1923 - The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter
• November 17, 1923 - Dreams In The Antique Shop
• December 22, 1923 - The Night Before Christmas

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Norman Rockwell's The Literary Digest Advertisements

Advertisers used Norman Rockwell's illustrations to get their message across. His paintings reached readers, then and now, on a different level than the ad copy. Norman Rockwell was able to reach the readers on an emotional level.

It's no wonder advertisements featuring Rockwell's art appeared 22 times in The Literary Digest over the years.

1917

• July 21, 1917 - Fisk Tire - What Fisk Bicycle Clubs Are Doing for the Boys of America
• September 29, 1917 - Perfection Oil Heaters - Grandfather and Clock
• November 3, 1917 - Perfection Oil Heaters - Man Stepping Into Shower
• November 24, 1917 - Perfection Oil Heaters - Bathing Baby
• December 8, 1917 - Perfection Oil Heaters - A Christmas Gift That the Whole Family Will Enjoy

1918

• December 7, 1918 - Perfection Oil Heaters - Warmth for Cold Corners (Little Girl on Grandmother's Lap)

1919

• November 22, 1919 - Willys-Overland Motors - The Main Thing on Main Street
• December 20, 1919

1921

• June 11, 1921 - Lime Crush - The Bribe
• July 16, 1921 - Lime Crush - The Bribe

Later

• May 10, 1924 - Colgate Dental Cream - If Your Wisdom Teeth Could Talk They'd Say, 'Use Colgate's' (Youth and Old Age)
• November 28, 1925
• May 12, 1928 - Coca-Cola - Wholesome Refreshment
• December 14, 1929
• September 10, 1940
• March 29, 1949
• March 29, 1949
• September 23, 1952
• March 8, 1955
• December 20, 1960
• March 8, 1966
• August 6, 1968

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