Gordon Ross was a nationally known illustrator who began his career working for a newspaper in San Francisco. He was born in Scotland on 15 Mar 1872; came to America on a clipper ship; worked for a newspaper (which one?) in San Francisco at the turn of the century; some of his works are displayed at the Bohemian Club in San Francisco; moved to New York circa 1906-1908; became nationally known; died in New York City 26 December 1946. His wife was Helen Beatie of San Francisco. Need more information on him. Does anyone have any suggestions of where or how to look?

-- Joann Tortarolo (jtortaro@pe.net), May 28, 2001

Answers

I have a framed illustration of "John Randolph Of Roanoke". Its under glass, and I honestly cant tell if its a pencil drawing or a print of some sort. Its a picture of John Randolph on a horse by a body of water with a bird dog running alongside the horse. Its dated 1930 and hand signed. I have no other info, and have had this for about 25 years. I decided to inquire about it tonight and found your site. I'd appreciate some info if its not too much trouble. Good luck.

-- Arnold Weiner (Arwen199z@cs.com), December 18, 2001.

I have an interesting novel by Frederic Arnold Kummer titled "LADIES IN HADES", that has numerous art deco style illustrations by Gordon Ross. Very beautiful, slightly risque, and highly stylized. The hardbound book was published by Grosset & Dunlap in 1928. Humourous, racy story set in Hell with famous femmes giving Satan a hard time. Portrays women as independent, smart talking, strong willed characters ( with bobbed hair). Reccomended!

-- S. McMillon (rocksteadymac@hotmail.com), October 22, 2002.

I'm only assuming we mean the same person but I have a photocopied version of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam given to a close relative which was illustrated by GR. I had wanted to get her a 'clean' copy - not apparently that it would have been appreciated as the original tho' falling to bits was worth more, but my efforts showed that it was no longer available with this particular author. I think it was edited by Louis Untermeyer and was an American Pocket book. My relateive was given it during ww2

-- sian richards (catfan@bushinternet.com), March 29, 2003.

I have a copy of Wahington Irving's The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. It has eight color-plate illustrations by Gordon Ross, as well as a small black and white illustration for each of the 30 stories. The back side of the title page reads, "The special contents of this edition are copyright 1939 by The HEritage Press for The George Macy Companies, Inc. The book comes in a black cardboard box.

-- Anne Pici (anne.pici@notes.udayton.edu), June 11, 2003.

I own two framed illustrations, each of an English fox hunter astride his horse. Both are signed by Gordon Ross, apparently in pencil. At the bottom of one is written "Gordon Ross del. New York. Published April 1925 by Ernest R. Gee at his Book Shop 35 East 49th Street." Below that reads "Yours Truly (coat of arms) Nimrod" Any clue? They have been in my family for over 60 years.

-- Peter Bloodworth (kooldayz@aol.com), December 14, 2003.

I am doing some cleaning and research work for a local university on several plaster casts it has gotten on permanent loan from the cast collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY. One particular cast is of a male torso and on the top of the neck is incised "Gordon Ross at age 19, cast from life 1938". I too am looking for information on this Gordon Ross.

-- E.Layman (emcvl@cox.net), April 30, 2004.

I, too, have two framed prints signed in pencil by Gordon Ross. They appear to be caricatures of mounted Englishmen in red hunting coats. One, entitled "The dray Horse makes a Noble Hunter" depicts the rider on an ungraceful galloping white horse that has just smashed through a fence. They are surrounded by barking hounds with dismayed expressions.

The other, entitled "An Appearance of Airiness" shows an obese Englishman bouncing off the saddle of a more sophisticated mount whose wild-eyed expression anticipates the rider's heavy landing.

Both pictures are dated 1929 and are marked "Copyright by William Edwin Ridge Publisher." In the lower left corner is printed "Gordon Ross, del." I don't know what that denotes. Does anybody?

My prints probably date back to 1929 or soon after. They are somewhat faded but otherwise in very nice condition. I know they were hand-colored at the Walter Fischer Studio, New York City, by my grandmother who was Mrs. Fischer. I would like to get an idea of the current value of this pair.

-- Margot Smith (vtmargot@aol.com), December 30, 2004.