Russell H. Tandy
Encyclopedia
Russell H. Tandy was an American
illustrator
, best known for his cover art for early editions of the Nancy Drew
and Hardy Boys series.
Tandy was a friend of Edward Stratemeyer
, whose syndicate created several series of books for young readers. When Stratemeyer approached Grosset & Dunlap
with his concept for Nancy Drew in 1930, he submitted dust jacket art by both Russell and Ernest Townsend
for the publishing house's consideration. They selected Tandy, who went on to illustrate the first twenty-six books in the series, from 1930 until 1949, contributing both cover and internal artwork. He was responsible for six Hardy Boy titles, as well as series featuring characters named Billie Bradley, the Adventure Boys, Buddy, Maxie (written by E.B. Gardner (Elsie Bell), 7 books in the series), Betty Gordon, Ruth Fielding, and Beverly Gray.
In addition to his work for children's literature, Tandy worked for department stores as a fashion illustrator. He also drew some of the illustrations for Butterick Patterns
and designed the original logo for Jantzen
swimwear.
Tandy's good friends included Ernest Hemingway
, Salvador Dalí
, and Norman Rockwell
. He published only one book, a compilation of his work entitled Tandy's Babies.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
, best known for his cover art for early editions of the Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew is a fictional young amateur detective in various mystery series for all ages. She was created by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate book packaging firm. The character first appeared in 1930. The books have been ghostwritten by a number of authors and are published...
and Hardy Boys series.
Tandy was a friend of Edward Stratemeyer
Edward Stratemeyer
Edward Stratemeyer was an American publisher and writer of books for children.He is one of the most prolific writers in the world, producing in excess of 1300 books himself, selling in excess of 500 million copies, and created the well-known fictional book series for juveniles including The Rover...
, whose syndicate created several series of books for young readers. When Stratemeyer approached Grosset & Dunlap
Grosset & Dunlap
Grosset & Dunlap is a United States book publisher founded in 1898.The company was purchased by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 1982 and today is part of the British publishing conglomerate, Pearson PLC through its American subsidiary Penguin Group....
with his concept for Nancy Drew in 1930, he submitted dust jacket art by both Russell and Ernest Townsend
Ernest Townsend
Ernest Townsend was a portrait artist from Derby in England.Townsend studied at Derby College of Art, Heatherleys in Chelsea and the Royal Academy. Among his notable works were a 1915 portrait of the Right Hon. Winston Churchill when he was First Lord of the Admiralty...
for the publishing house's consideration. They selected Tandy, who went on to illustrate the first twenty-six books in the series, from 1930 until 1949, contributing both cover and internal artwork. He was responsible for six Hardy Boy titles, as well as series featuring characters named Billie Bradley, the Adventure Boys, Buddy, Maxie (written by E.B. Gardner (Elsie Bell), 7 books in the series), Betty Gordon, Ruth Fielding, and Beverly Gray.
In addition to his work for children's literature, Tandy worked for department stores as a fashion illustrator. He also drew some of the illustrations for Butterick Patterns
Ebenezer Butterick
Ebenezer Butterick was an American tailor, inventor, manufacturer, and fashion business executive, born in Sterling, Massachusetts....
and designed the original logo for Jantzen
Jantzen
Jantzen is a brand of swimwear that was established in 1916 and first appeared in the city of Portland, Oregon, United States. The brand name later replaced the name of the parent company that manufactured the branded products...
swimwear.
Tandy's good friends included Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Miller Hemingway was an American author and journalist. His economic and understated style had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction, while his life of adventure and his public image influenced later generations. Hemingway produced most of his work between the mid-1920s and the...
, Salvador Dalí
Salvador Dalí
Salvador Domènec Felip Jacint Dalí i Domènech, Marquis de Púbol , commonly known as Salvador Dalí , was a prominent Spanish Catalan surrealist painter born in Figueres,Spain....
, and Norman Rockwell
Norman Rockwell
Norman Percevel Rockwell was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for The Saturday Evening...
. He published only one book, a compilation of his work entitled Tandy's Babies.