Mahlon Blaine's Blooming Bally Bloody Book

by Roland Trenary

This historical novel takes a rollicking ride through one-eyed Mahlon Blaine's adventures and experiences as an early 20th-Century illustrator. Exploring his friendships with the famous and infamous in bohemian San Francisco, pre-talkies Hollywood and other-worldly New York City, this (self)portrait paints the struggles and triumphs of an artist truly committed to his unique singular vision. Included are over 120 Blaine illustrations and photographs (most previously unpublished, unearthed from the vaults of collectors and friends). Ribald, risqué, bawdy, naughty, salacious – take your pick. Despite labels like these, Mahlon Blaine, 1920s book illustrator and pen-and-ink maestro, campaigned for “freedom of art” against “dysenteric hypocrites” who proclaimed “beauty is obscene.” He mixed his commercial success with an underground vocation of creating “playful drawings – sly dancing thoughts that would delight all men blest with the godly gift of laughter.” This bohemian Rabelaisian, with 2000 published illustrations ranging from children’s books to erotica, fought “for the beautiful and imaginative – conceptions beyond all limits of time and morality.” John Steinbeck was one of his best friends, and Blaine illustrated two of his early novels. The actor John Carradine knew Blaine during his Hollywood career, as did Tina Modotti. Infamous booksellers and art dealers like Jake Zeitlin, Jack Brussel, and Bernard Guerney promoted his work. He painted world-famous ballerina Lydia Lopovka, and God knows who else. Did he win a Caldecott Award? A Newbury? Maybe not, but there were rumors. Did he know Woody Guthrie, and was Bob Dylan an acquaintance? Perhaps. Was his "Venus Sardonica" folio the high point of 20th Century published erotica? It's been claimed so, by scholar G. Legman. Until now, no one knew what to believe. Maybe they still don't. This is his unauthorized autobiography.

338 pages, Paperback

First published January 18, 2015

Reviews

[Albert Seligman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was strongly collecting Mahlon Blaine's books and artwork I had the good fortune to correspond with Roland. This was just before the publication of the bibliography (link below) and I got to kibbitz and send him a few items for consideration. I rated the bibliography 5 stars, and this newer work as well. Roland has done a wonderful conjure of Blaine's private life from notes and conversations from still living friends and associates. The stories of Blaine's connection with Steinbeck is well know, with the Steinbeck portrait one of Blaine's most famous. But I didn't know about Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan. And the stories from Dunninger are filled out in more detail, although Roland does leave the reader to imagine the scene. Which is what I like most about this book, Roland fills in each scene with possibilities, and the readers can enrich each story with their own details.

This is a must read for Blaine's many fans for both the knowledge and the fun.

Mahlon Blaine ~ One-Eyed Visionary

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speechless!! What a wonderful surprise it was to read about the remarkable American illustrator Mahlon Blaine. This book is so well written and chalked full of Mahlon Blaine's illustrations making it that much more of a pleasure to read. I won this great book on GoodReads and typically pass them on to other to enjoy, but this on will have to stay on my shelf so I can enjoy it again soon. A big thanks to Roland Trenary

[Toni Kief · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read into a damaged but brilliant artist. His life touches so many artists, and I am ashamed I hadn't heard of Blaine, until now.
I'm anxious to see who else Mr. Trenary may introduce me to.