We have previously written about vintage football programs done by talented and well known illustrators, namely, John Held, Jr., Winslow Williams, Willard Mullin, Ellison Hoover and Gib Crockett. Not surprisingly, most produced their work during the Art Deco period.

The beautiful 1928 Cornell vs. Dartmouth Football Program

Another fabulous program is the Cornell vs. Dartmouth program from 1928, illustrated by Abner J. Epstein. Epstein lived from 1910-1982 and illustrated for, among others The New Yorker and Esquire. Graduating from Dartmouth in 1931, Abner Dean (his pen name) studied at the National Academy of Design. Dean also authored several illustrated books: And on the Eighth Day; It’s a Long Way to Heaven; and What Am I doing Here?

This football program illustration was done when Dean was a freshman at the college, thus it is signed with his birth name rather than his future pen name. Notice the expressive nature of the eyes on all three people featured on the cover. Absolutely brilliant.

We have a nice selection of vintage football programs on our website.