Description
Fortune Magazine, January 1951 | Products of Clay
A striking gravure print cover from Fortune Magazine’s post-war era, featuring an unsigned composition by legendary American artist Ben Shahn. This January 1951 cover depicts a man laying bricks, titled “Products of Clay” — a celebration of craftsmanship and labor rendered in Shahn’s distinctive cubism-influenced style. Dominant brick-red tones echo the subject matter itself, creating a harmonious fusion of form and content. This is an original 1951 printing in mint condition, archivally linen-backed and ready to frame.
Production & Creative Context
Ben Shahn (1898–1969) was a master of American social realism and modernist design, equally celebrated for his fine art murals, New Deal prints, and World War II vintage posters. His Fortune Magazine commissions brought fine-art sensibility to commercial publication design. Though unsigned, this cover exemplifies Shahn’s signature approach: geometric abstraction combined with humanistic content and social consciousness. The gravure printing process—a refined intaglio technique—was essential to Fortune’s aesthetic, capable of rendering Shahn’s subtle color transitions and intricate detail with exceptional fidelity. Covers were gravure-printed; interior pages were letterpress-printed—a distinction reflecting the magazine’s commitment to visual excellence.
Poster Details
- Title: Fortune Magazine, January 1951 — Products of Clay
- Artist: Ben Shahn (1898–1969), unsigned
- Medium: Gravure print
- Size: 10″ × 13″
- Condition: Mint
- Backing: Archival linen-backed, ready to frame
- Inventory #: 21333
- Type: Original January 1951 printing, not a reproduction
This is an authentic gravure print from the original 1951 issue.
Why Collectors Love This
Ben Shahn covers are highly sought after by modernist design collectors, art historians, and those drawn to socially conscious imagery. This particular piece bridges fine art and commercial design—it’s Shahn at his most conceptually bold. The subject (labor, craftsmanship, materiality) resonates with collectors interested in American social and industrial history. Original, unsigned Shahn Fortune covers are increasingly rare, making this a significant acquisition for serious collectors.
Your Purchase
This poster is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity detailing its provenance, condition, and printing specifications. The Vintage Poster is an IVPDA-certified vintage poster dealer, and we stand behind the authenticity and condition of every piece in our collection. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. We’re available online 24/7 to assist you with questions about your vintage poster collection. Your poster will be carefully packaged and delivered to your door.
Ben Shahn
Date:1951
Size:10″ x 13″
Medium: Gravure / linen-backed
INV. #:21333
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