The beautiful world of Ilonka Karasz

It's 9:30 a.m. and I should be showered, dressed, and walking my dogs. But, no. I must see just one more New Yorker cover illustrated by Ilonka Karasz. I'm searching. Obsessively. Loving each image better than the previous. Ilonka Karasz was something of a wonder, really. Born in Budapest, she came here after studying at the Royal Academy of Arts and Crafts in Budapest, and began illustrating New Yorker covers in the 1920s, while still in her twenties herself, and would eventually illustrate 186 covers between then and the seventies. She also designed many books and book jackets, pottery, tiles, wallpaper, toys, lamps, fabrics, rugs, silverware, china and furniture. She passed away in 1981, but left so much for us to enjoy. Look closely, there's much happening in these worlds.

Burmese Days by George Orwell 1932 (1962 reprint) via flickr — Burmese Days by George Orwell 1932 (1962 reprint) via flickr

My copy of The Château by William Maxwell 1962, jacket by Ilonka Karasz

The New Yorker July 19, 1949 | Ilonka Karasz via THE NEW YORKER

The New Yorker June 1953 | Ilonka Karasz via THE JUMPING FROG

The New Yorker December 1953 | Ilonka Karasz via THE JUMPING FROG — The New Yorker December 1953 | Ilonka Karasz via THE JUMPING FROG

April 22, 1950 New Yorker by Ilonka Karasz via THE JUMPING FROG — April 22, 1950 New Yorker by Ilonka Karasz via THE JUMPING FROG

The New Yorker Feb 5, 1949 | Ilonka Karasz via art.com — The New Yorker Feb 5, 1949 | Ilonka Karasz via art.com

The New Yorker May 22, 1971 | Ilonka Karasz via THE JUMPING FROG — The New Yorker May 22, 1971 | Ilonka Karasz via THE JUMPING FROG

The New Yorker September 1960 | Ilonka Karasz via THE JUMPING FROG — The New Yorker September 1960 | Ilonka Karasz via THE JUMPING FROG

Poison Ivy | The New Yorker June 1955 | Ilonka Karasz

The Twelve Days of Christmas via We too were children, Mr. Barrie — The Twelve Days of Christmas via We too were children, Mr. Barrie

Spicy vegan "chicken" sandwich

When I was still eating some meat and some fast food, I have to confess I was addicted to Wendy's Spicy Chicken Fillet. It's still hard to resist, but having this sandwich in my lunchtime lineup helps. Here's how to make an easy and delicious vegan "fried" chicken sandwich using Gardein Chipotle Lime Crispy Fingers that's satisfying and nutritious. I do it all the time, even when I'm in a hurry, which I guess is all the time.

THE INGREDIENTS

2 pieces Gardein Chipotle Lime Crispy Fingers
1/2 cup fresh watercress or arugula
1 Oroweat Double Fiber English Muffin
1 tablespoon eggless light canola mayonnaise
1 healthy squirt of sriracha sauce
Several slices of persian cucumber sliced thin on the diagonal
2 slices of tomato and two slices of avocado

Prepare the chicken fingers as per the instructions, or do it my way by microwaving it 45 seconds, then pan frying in hot lightly sprayed pan until crisp on both sides. Toast the english muffin. Assemble all the ingredients, laying the two "chicken" fingers side by side on the muffin & mixing the sriracha into the mayo with a knife as you spread it. Simple. The hardest part is grabbing all the ingredients out of the fridge. Enjoy.

The book jackets of Arthur Hawkins Jr.

Arthur Hawkins, Jr. (1903-1985) was a legend of jacket design who created some of the most striking covers of the mid-twentieth century beginning in the 30's. Here are just a few examples, some from my own library, from his huge volume work. The "Postman" cover has always been a favorite of mine, though it's unsigned and I just figured out it was his.

The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain, 1934

→ The Moth | James M Cain 1948 | Book jacket by Arthur Hawkins Jr

Algernon Blackwood, Shocks, New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc., [1936]. Jacket by Arthur Hawkins Jr.. via L. W. Currey Books

Little Caesar by W. R. Burnett. Arthur Hawkins Jr. created this jacket specifically for this 1958 reprint.Available at Lorne Bair books

Suddenly A Widow | George Harmon Coxe 1956

The Widow Had a Gun by George Harmon Coxe 1951

One minute past eight by George Harmon Coxe 1957

The Velvet Well by John Gearon 1946 via the Browser's Bookstore — The Velvet Well by John Gearon 1946 v ia the Browser's Bookstore

Raleigh bikes

And now for some vintage bikes. Raleigh is one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world, very British, established in 1887 in Raleigh Street, Nottingham. On the short list of bicycles I still want to own are their Twenty folder and the Lady Sport, both of which are thought to be very solid choices for a vintage bike purchase. If you watch "Downton Abbey" or "Call the Midwife", chances are you've seen a character riding a Raleigh. Here are a few nice ones. They can still be found on eBay and other second-hand markets.

Vintage Raleigh bicycle poster, date unknown

"My new/old Raleigh mixte. It was a custom build based on a few bikes I had seen (and swooned over). Ace to ride, and really fast and light. Best thing I own. :) " —LaurenRoseUK on flicker — "My new/old Raleigh mixte. It was a custom build based on a few bikes I had seen (and swooned over). Ace to ride, and really fast and light. Best thing I own. :) " *—LaurenRoseUK on flicker*

Ad for the Raleigh Twenty, the small-wheeled folder

Raleigh RSW, the shopper bike introduced to compete with the Moulton in the 60s The wheels are 16" via

A beautifully restored Raleigh sport  via — A beautifully restored Raleigh sport via

Tom Swift

Here's a quickie for a busy Monday morning. A few Tom Swift Books that I came across on Heritage Auctions. I do love colorful futuristic illustrations from the 50s and 60s. Looks like Tom had some very expensive toys.