Today, February 16, is the birthday of Ed Emswiller (1925-1990). Emshwiller was a prolific cover and interior artist in the nineteen fifties and sixties. He was married to author Carol Emshiwiller.

Galaxy February 1955, Cover by Emsh

He signed his work as Emsh. Much of it was for digests in the fifties, such as F&SF and Galaxy. His covers for Galaxy  tended to be fun and somewhat zany, especially his Christmas covers, which featured a four-armed Santa Claus.

His covers for publiscations such as F&SF, Infinity, and other magazines of the time tended to be darker in theme and tone. I’m not sure how much of this was due to editorial policies, Emsh’s preferences, or the nature of the fiction he was illustrating. Galaxy, after all, published more satire than any other publication of the day. Many of those covers feature beautiful women.

In the sixties, he did a number of covers for paperbacks. His work has a definite style and feel to it.

Belowo are some samples of his work.

F&SF, February 1957, Cover by Emsh

Galaxy, August 1952, Cover by Emsh

Galaxy, January 1956, Cover by Emsh

Infinity, February 1957, Cover by Emsh

Infinity, September 1957 Cover by Emsh