top of page
Mid-Century Art by Duke
Roscoe "Duke" Reading was a renowned commercial artist and owner of Reading Display in Boise, Idaho for over fifty years. He was a sign painter, display creator and most importantly, an artist.
Please follow the *link near the bottom of the page to read a column written about Duke and his art.
We are excited to announce that some of his hand drawn and lettered Mid-Century art is now available!
(Watermarks are for image protection only and will not be on products.)
Decorating Downtown
Product Details
In this darling "self-portrait", the artist drew himself decorating the downtown of his city in 1948. It had to be done, snow or shine!
Inside text: And a very happy new year
Card Size: 5” x 7” (folded) and includes an envelope.
All cards are professionally printed. The outside is glossy coated and the inside is uncoated for a smooth writing surface.
The images on all cards and other products are authentic Mid-Century artwork produced from the 1940s to the 1970s. The art is hand-lettered and drawn.
Note: The watermarks are for image protection only and will not appear on any products.
*Here is a link to a column written about Duke Reading and why Mid-Century Art by Duke was created:
https://www.idahopress.com/tim-woodward-commercial-art-a-mini-history-lesson/article_54897ebc-a99d-11ee-b8c7-bb5fa001664c.html
About the Artist
Duke was a master of hand painted theater art. In the early days of cinema, advertisements were hand painted on wooden boards by artists. Duke painted this in 1931 for the Pinney theater in Boise, Idaho.
Sometimes the movie advertisements were more elaborate like the one painted in 1939.
Duke was drafted during World War II. In addition to being a soldier, he was an artist for the Army.
bottom of page