Leroy Neiman Decorative Art

Leroy Neiman 1977 Club 21 Signed Print. Signed lower right but faded. Original 1977 print in custom frame and matting. Red plastic fame and plexiglass overlay. Rare collectible piece of art. History of Club 21: The first version of the club opened in Greenwich Village in 1922, run by cousins Jack Kriendler and Charlie Berns. It was originally a small speakeasy known as the Red Head. In 1925 the location was moved to a basement on Washington Place and its name was changed to Frontón. The following year it moved uptown to 42 West 49th Street, changed its name to the Puncheon Club, and became much more exclusive. In late 1929, to make way for the construction of Rockefeller Center, the club moved to 21 West 52nd Street and changed its name to Jack and Charlie's "21". It opened at that location on January 1, 1930, when it was estimated there were 32,000 speakeasies in New York City. Although raided by police on many occasions during Prohibition, the premises staff had methods to protect the club from the authorities. As soon as a raid began, a system of levers was used to tip the shelves of the bar, sweeping the liquor bottles through a chute and into the city's sewers. The bar also included a secret wine cellar, which was accessed through a hidden door in a brick wall which opened into the basement of the building next door . Though still used as a wine cellar after Prohibition, part of the vault has been remodeled to allow a party of up to 20 guests to dine in private. The club also stored the private wine collections of John F. Kennedy; Richard Nixon; Gerald Ford; Joan Crawford; Elizabeth Taylor; Hugh Carey; Ernest Hemingway; the Nordstrom sisters; Frank Sinatra; Al Jolson...

"Homage to Boucher' by Leroy Neiman, circa 1973. Features a reclining nude woman, signed lower right. Features a blue mat with silver trim matching a silver frame. Signed and numbered. In this piece Neiman is paying homage to Rococo artist Francois Boucher. Leroy Neiman (American) 1921-2012 Known for his paintings and prints of athletes, musicians, and sporting events, LeRoy Neiman packs his works full of color and movement making for a bright oeuvre of dynamic Neiman prints and paintings. Born LeRoy Runquist on June 8th, 1921 in St. Paul, Minnesota, LeRoy Neiman took the surname of his stepfather after his biological father left when Neiman was a young child. Neiman attended a Roman Catholic primary school, where he was already popular for his drawing. During recess, Neiman would draw temporary tattoos in ink on the arms of his classmates. As a teenager, Neiman earned money by sketching for local grocery stores. He cleverly gained even more clout with the owners by drawing their portraits as well. Neiman was drafted into the army in 1942 where he served as a cook. In his spare time, Neiman continued to paint; he made murals on the walls of the mess house that delighted all. After World War II, Neiman was stationed in Germany for some time. The Army’s Special Services Division set Neiman up painting sets for Red Cross shows. Returning home to Minnesota, Neiman briefly attended the St. Paul School of Art before switching to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After graduating he remained there, teaching figure drawing and fashion illustration throughout the 50’s. During the same time he was working freelance for the Carson Pirie Scott department store in Chicago. While he was working there he would meet two people who would greatly influence his life. The first was Janet Byrne, whom he later married in 1957. The second was Hugh Hefner, at the time working as a copywriter for the department store. When the pair ran into each other a few months later, Hefner got Neiman a job illustrating for the magazine. The subject of his illustrations was leisure around the world. In addition to illustrations for the magazine, Neiman was also contracted to paint murals for the Playboy clubs around the world. But perhaps Neiman is most famous for his dynamic and colorful sports drawings. Because no one had entered the field of sport art, Neiman was free to do as he pleased. Using vibrant colors, Neiman depicted some of the most famous athletes and sporting events of the time. The first Olympics he worked for were the winter games in Squaw Valley in 1960. He continued working as illustrator for the Olympics in Munich 1972, Montreal 1976...

Limited edition "Skiing Suite" etching entitled "Village in the Valley" by Leroy Neiman, circa 1972. The piece is one of ten etchings in the series and is hand signed and numbered (147 / 150); it is in very good vintage condition. The piece measures 20.5" x 20.5" and would make a great addition to any ski cabin...

Limited edition "Skiing Suite" etching entitled "Jump" by Leroy Neiman, circa 1972. The piece is one of ten etchings in the series and is hand signed and numbered (64 / 150); it is in very good vintage condition. The piece measures 19.25" x 20.25" and would make a great addition to any ski cabin...

Rare Leroy Neiman limited edition collectors plate in a midcentury custom frame. Title of plate is Punchinello and it is #8550 of 15,000.

Leroy Neiman collectors plate from 1974 that has been put into custom frame and is ready to hang. Limited edition size 1659 of 15,000.

Limited edition rare, in frame, LeRoy Neiman collectors plate, #6113 of 15,000. Made in conjunction with Royal Doulton but framed in mid century custom frame at considerable expense.

Royal Doulton limited edition LeRoy Neiman plate that is framed and ready to hang, circa Mid-Century Modern. Limited edition #870 of 15,000.