Back in Time: The 1930s

The 1930s were a busy time for Bailey. With his sketches of New York City being published weekly in the New York Sun, he must have been drawing constantly. But what else was going on in the world while Bailey was hard at work capturing memories? Here we take a look at some events that Bailey lived through.

-The Mickey Mouse comic strip debuted on January 13, 1930 in an edition of the New York Mirror.

- In 1932 the word "mobile" was coined to describe the kenetic sculptures created by Alexander Calder.

- The "Three Little Pigs", released on May 27, 1933, and produced by Walt Disney, was seen as symbolic of the Great Depression, with the wolf representing the Depression and the three little pigs representing average citizens who eventually succeeded by working together.

- The board game Monopoly, which first became available in 1935, became immensely popular, perhaps because players could become rich. 

- Many of the nation's most memorable skyscrapers (the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and Rockefeller Center) were completed.

The Unknown

Bailey produced hundreds over drawings over the years, and although many have been identified as to when and where they were created, some remain a mystery. The first drawing below is a perfect example. We have no record as to what house this is, or what year Bailey made this beautiful sketch.

The following drawings were created in 1935, but Bailey left no clues as to the locations. We can only wonder as to whether these places and buildings exist today, and what they would look like if they do.

 Bailey excelled at sustaining memories and capturing moments, and his remarkable body of work gives us a glimpse into the past that we would not have otherwise.

Bailey's Backstory

Vernon Howe Bailey traveled extensively throughout his life, and in 1907 he visited Paris, London, Italy, and Germany as a special staff artist for Harper's Magazine. He then traveled to Spain in 1925 and visited small towns and cities, all the while painting and drawing. His collection of artwork, including over 150 drawings, was published into a book entitled "Little Know Towns of Spain." The book received a royal decree of thanks from King Alphonso XIII of Spain, and including the following write-up:

"At a meeting, in Paris, of Agnacio Zuloaga and Vernon Howe Bailey, Senor Zuloga having highly complimented Mr. Bailey on his work in Spain said, 'But when I saw your book of watercolors and drawings of Spain, I was angry with you, for you have disclosed to the world the names of Spanish towns of which I hoped it would never learn, for the tourists will spoil them and gone will be their true character, and the life and the old costumes I have loved to paint will have vanished. Within fifteen years Spain will have been spoiled for me.'"

Another significant moment in Bailey's life was when he was honored with being the only artist permitted to draw the Pope's private apartments. Bailey spent a year on this project and was given the freedom to choose whatever subject or composition he desired. This collection included over 100 drawings and was exhibited in the American Art Asso-Anderson Galleries in New York.

Bailey was given amazing opportunities throughout his life because of his incredible talent, and in this picture we see him hard at work while in Italy.

Grace Church: Then & Now

New York City is renowned for its skyscrapers, but its churches are magnificent in their own right. Vernon Howe Bailey did many sketches of churches, and in the drawing on the left we see Grace Church surrounded by passers by. Grace Church is a National Historic Landmark, recognized for its unique architectural features. In the image on the right we see that the church has been preserved, although the attire of the pedestrians, as well as the cars, have changed considerably.

This original drawing is available for purchase. Email for details.

Captured Memories

Although Vernon Howe Bailey is perhaps best known for his sketches of New York City skyscrapers, his drawings of navy yards are of particular significance. Bailey was the first artist authorized by the United States Government to make drawings of navy yards, gun shops and munition plants. In fact, Bailey won the Official Thanks of Josephus Daniel, the former Secretary of the Navy. In this piece done in 1934 we see the cruiser U.S.S. Chester undergoing repair. Had Bailey not been permitted to make these sketches, these important moments in U.S. history may have been forgotten.

This original drawing is available for purchase. Call 203-500-7352 for more information.

Spuyten Duyvil - A Curious History

Many of Bailey's drawings tell a story. In this piece, a creek is illustrated. This is no ordinary creek, however, as it has a curious history. The drawing was published in the New York Sun in 1934 (the clipping on the right) and included the following text:

"Inwood Hill Park (upper left), the northern end of Manhattan Island, Spuyten Duyvil Creek and the Spuyten Duyvil section of the Bronx (upper right), are shown in this sketch. The Palisades of the Hudson are in the center of the background. Spuyten Duyvil Creek is said to have been named after the death of a trumpeter who was drowned in his attempt to swim across the creek. The trumpeter had been sent by a Governor of New Amsterdam to warn the farmers up the Hudson of the appearance of the English fleet in the harbor. The trumpeter found no ferryman willing to take him across the creek during a high wind. The Dutch colony’s courier then swore he would cross “spyt den duivel” (in spite of the devil)."

The original drawing, as well as a scan of the original newspaper clipping, are available for purchase. Call 203-500-7352 for more information.

Original Artwork Available for Purchase

Interested in purchasing a piece of American history? Hundreds of Bailey's drawings are available for purchase. Bailey's work is rare and collectible. The drawings are priced at $1,500 each. To see the complete collection visit vernonhowebailey.com.

This drawing of the Queensboro Bridge done in 1934 is available for purchase.