Long-Time Greenwich Artist’s Works Auctioned For First Time

Three original oil 1980s-90s era Harlequin Romance covers painted by Frank Kalan, a commercial illustrator who lived in Greenwich from 1967-2001, are part of Heritage Auctions first-ever romance-focused offering. The pieces are on view online now. The auction closes November 10, after the final live session at 12:00 Central Time.

Until now collectible romance art has been largely limited to niche markets.

Frank’s daughter Christy reflected on the growing interest in the genre.

“Social media is an easy way to post and share book covers,” Christy said. “Plus, art from the 80s and 90s now has a retro vibe, and Harlequin is a brand that almost everyone knows. People from all generations have started to collect this quintessential slice of American culture. Heritage Auctions has been watching the trends for years and felt the time was right.”

The auction will offer a mix of gothic, vintage, historical and contemporary romance from several well-known illustrators, as well as western, sci-fi and general cover art.

Kalan (1922-2003) was born in Ely, Minnesota and got his start in Chicago as an apprentice to pin-up artist Al Buell. He later joined Fredman-Chaite Studios in NY, which counted another local name, Robert McGinnis, as a top talent. When photography led to the studio’s closing, Frank’s family moved to Greenwich where he converted a bedroom into a studio and produced cover art for Harlequin Romance for more than two decades.

In the early 80’s, when transparencies replaced sending physical art, Kalan had the idea to begin an archive and he kept not just the original oils but also his instructions, photo shoot stills and cover proofs – now a unique cultural and historical collection that shows how a Harlequin cover got made.

When Frank died, his daughter Christy (Greenwich High School class of ’78) donated 130 sets to the Browne Popular Culture Library at Bowling Green State University. For the first time, she is now offering to the public other items from the collection.

The three works she consigned to Heritage are shown here.

When Frank wasn’t painting for Harlequin he played tennis on the town’s public courts, badminton at the Y, swept snow, mowed grass, helped neighbors, and in his spare time painted several portraits for local Greenwich friends.

Anyone interested in viewing the auction can visit the Heritage website (www.ha.com) and search on Illustration Art or look directly for Romance Novel & Paperback Illustration Art Showcase Auction #15268. To read more about the Harlequin Process and see the full archive, all painted in Greenwich, visit www.frankkalan.com.