Robert A. Maguire (Aug. 3, 1921 - Feb. 26, 2005) was one of the most acclaimed and respected illustrators of our time. His career spanned almost 50 years and included more than 600 paperback covers for virtually every publisher in the industry. He was also my father and my greatest influence.

Robert Maguire attended Duke University until his service in World War Two. After his return, his interest in art led him to the Art Student's League, where he studied under the great Frank Reilly. His classmates included James Bama and Clark Hulings. He is a Member Emeritus of the renowned Society of Illustrators.

His most famous covers of the fifties and sixties featured his incomparable female images, some of the best and most memorable of that period. His women were passionate but somehow real and approachable. All were beautiful - my father simply loved to paint women. When I asked him how he felt about being called "The King of Lesbian Paperback Covers," he laughed and said it was great - he got to paint two beautiful women instead of just one!

His first paperback cover was for a controversial book called "Tomboy." It pictures a tough young girl on a gritty street corner. A well-known writer told me this book cover compelled him to learn and write about the juvenile delinquent subculture of the fifties

Dad's covers called to the reader - he was one of the few artists that could sell a book simply on the merits of the artwork on the cover. Of course, during the fifties and early sixties, the cover art was often for detective novels that usually appealed primarily to men. Ironically, my father later became one of the finest cover artists of romance novels - quite a turn around. Now, his work appeals to a mainstream female audience. He continued doing these covers well into the 1990's.

I am fortunate that my father left such a legacy of great illustration art. I receive mail from people all over the world saying my father's art inspired them to write, paint, and collect classic paperbacks. His work in often used as examples in art schools around the world. There is a book in the works and an upcoming documentary. Do I sound like a proud daughter? You bet.

Lynn Maguire June, 2006 . . .

For prints, cards and T-shirts featuring Robert A. Maquire's beautiful work, please visit his website at:

www.ramaguirecoverart.com

I Prefer Girls


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