Tom Lea: Texas Original I was casting about for something to write about today when my good friend, Norm, called from Texas. As always, our conversation went down a number of paths. When I hung up I started to think about Tom Lea, one of my favorite creatives.
Tom Lea, native of El Paso, was a born and bred Texan who never left -- except for his service in World War II. Lea was amazing. In addition to being known as an incredible artist: portraits, illustrations, murals, etc. he was also a writer. One of my favorite books to handle is his two-volume history of the King Ranch, which he also illustrated. My favorite edition was the "saddle blanket" edition; published in an edition of 1000 copies, bound in buckram cloth to resemble a saddle blanket and leather title patches with the Ranch's brand, the "Running W" embossed on each. A fabulous design! So, a quick perusal of my shelves turned up four different Tom Lea items.
Frank Dobie & Tom Lea, The Longhorns (1941)
Oh, I forgot to tell you that he also wrote and illustrated the two novels, The Brave Bulls and The Wonderful Country -- both made into movies in the 1950s. Not bad for an artist from Texas.
Thanks for the reminder, Norm! Next time you're in the area, don't forget to stop by Craig Olson Books, at 99 Main Street in Belfast, Maine, where we have a large selection of books in all subjects. ~Craig Lea, Tom (Artist); Hinshaw, Glennis (Editor); Lovelace, Lisabeth (Editor); Connally, Frank (Introduction).
A Bibliography of Writings and Illustrations by Tom Lea: An Illustrated Catalog of the Exhibit.
El Paso, TX: El Paso Public Libary, 1999.
Hardcover. First Edition. First Printing. x, 54 pp. 4to. Clean, crisp copy.
Catalog from an ehibition of the work of legendary artist, author, and illustrator Tom Lea (1907-2001) that was held at the El Paso Public Library December 1971-January 1972. (#30668)
Price: $75.00 |  | |  | Dobie, J. Frank; Lea, Tom (Artist).
The Longhorns.
Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company, 1941.
Full Leather. First Edition. First Printing. xxiii, 388 pp. Brown leather binding with blind embossed titling to spine, J. Frank Dobie's brand on cover board; losses at edges, corners and head and foot of spine. Previous owner's inscriptio on front pastedown in blue ink, darkening to endpapers. Very clean within.
Despite it's obvious use and wear, this volume still quite scarce in the "Rawhide Edition" as indicated on colophon that contains an illustration by Tom Lea of himself and J. Frank Dobie and is signed by each of them below their illustration. Produced in an edition of 265 copies, this is #128. (#30002)
Price: $1,500.00 |  | | | Lea, Tom; Craver, Rebecca (Editor); Margo, Adair (Editor).
Tom Lea: An Oral History.
El Paso, TX: Texas Western Press/The University of Texas at El Paso, 1995.
Hardcover. First Edition. x, 185 pp. 4to. Clean, crisp copy with dust jacket in mylar cover.
Catalog from an ehibition of the work of legendary artist, author, and illustrator Tom Lea (1907-2001) (#30670)
Price: $75.00 |  | | | Antone, Evan Haywood.
Tom Lea: His Life and Work.
El Paso, TX: Texas Western Press/University of Texas at El Paso, 1988.
Hardcover. First Edition. First Printing. 163 pp. 8vo. Clean, crisp copy with dust jacket in mylar cover.
Biography of legendary artist, author, and illustrator Tom Lea (1907-2001) (#30667)
Price: $45.00 |  | | | |
