Fantagraphics, the world’s best comix publisher, and Monte Beauchamp, editor of the terrific graphic arts anthology series Blab!, have yet again sold (or at least rented) their souls to Satan. This time, the fiery fun comes in the form of Devilish Greetings, a collection of 150 devil postcards from the late 1800s to the mid-20th century. As someone with a passion for devil imagery, I was delighted by this is heavenly little book.
From the book description:
This sequel to 2004’s hugely popular (in multiple printings) The Devil in Design (featuring 18th- and 19th-century Krampus postcards) is a fascinating, full-color compendium of extremely rare devil postcards culled from key postcard collections from around the world and spanning approximately 1898 through the 1950s. Lavishly illustrated with over 150 striking and stylized full-color examples, the book is edited and designed by Monte Beauchamp, editor and designer of the popular graphic arts anthology Blab! Beginning in the late 19th Century, images of the devil began popping up on postcards in Austria and Germany, and by 1902 became so popular that they proliferated across all of Europe. American postcard manufacturers took note and jumped on the bandwagon, producing their own versions. These penny “dreadfuls” were used to promote a vast array of occasions and products – from festive holiday celebrations, such as Halloween and Christmas (in Europe), to popular household products such as furnaces, chili peppers, and insecticides.
Thanks to Eric Reynolds of Fantagraphics, I’m delighted to provide this selection of postcards featured in the book. Click the images for a better view!
Link to buy Devilish Greetings
And if you’re in the Los Angeles area before September 29, don’t miss the Devilish Greetings show of modern devil art by the likes of Tim Biskup, Ron English, Sas Christian, Drew Friedman, and our very own Mark Frauenfelder! The exhibition is up at the Copro-Nason Gallery in Santa Monica and also viewable online. Link