The Night of the Hunter

Ridgefield, CT: N.p., Circa 1968. Original gouache artwork by Harry R. Bennett for the 1968 Avon paperback edition of Davis Grubb's "The Night of the Hunter," showing a sinister Reverend Harry Powell in the foreground, with children John and Pearl escaping into the woods to his right. SIGNED by Bennett on the verso, with a copyright stamp for The Hearst Corporation. Faint manuscript pencil annotations regarding cropping to the bottom edge of the recto.

Bennett began working as a commercial artist after World War II, illustrating ads for Buick, Pepsi, and Keds. He also produced a large number of paperback covers for Simon and Schuster, Western Printing, and Avon Press, most notably illustrating the first paperback edition of Mario Puzo's "The Godfather."

13.75 x 22 inches. Artwork mounted on stiff board, with the original annotated protective sheet of brown paper affixed to the verso, draped over the image. Very Good plus overall, with brief wear to the corners of the board.

[Book #152022]