Naughty but nice: Collection of saucy artworks that titillated U.S. servicemen during World War II are expected to fetch $450,000

  • Selection of 10 saucy paintings by Gil Elvgren will go on sale at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas, on May 14
  • Images were mass-produced during 1940s and 1950s with US soldiers pinning them to the walls of their barracks
  • Auctioneer says 'sexy but harmless' images' enduring appeal means there has been interest from around the world 

By Darren Boyle and Elaine O'flynn For Mailonline

Published: 05:35 EST, 4 May 2015 | Updated: 06:43 EST, 4 May 2015

A selection of classic All-American pin-up posters has been put up for action with an estimated price of $450,000 (£300,000).

The racy images are from American artist Gil Elvgren, who was one of leading members of the pin-up movement of the 1940s and 50s. 

The posters got their name because they were designed to be pinned to walls during a time of social conservatism. 

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On sale: The collection of pin-ups will go under the hammer in Dallas, Texas, next month. The painter Gil Elvgren is widely regarded as one of the best pin-up artists of his time, and the cheeky images are expected to fetch tens of thousands of dollars each 

Saucy: The pin-ups, depicting the all-American girl, were particularly popular during the 1940s and 1950s among soldier who would tie them to their barrack walls. They were often modeled by Hollywood stars, with blond bombshell Marilyn Monroe posing for a pin-up

The first pin-up posters were seen in the late Victorian era, but it was during the Second World War that they became a major part of contemporary culture as service men bought them in their thousands. 

US Air Force aircraft, particularly bombers, were regularly emblazoned with pin up girls inspired by artists such as Elvgren. 

Many of the designed were 'modelled' on stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hepburn and Eva Gardner.

The designed was considered risque at the time, but they declined in popularity towards the end of the 1950s with the development of photographic posters. 

However, there is now a strong market for these vintage artworks. 

The art for sale - a mixture of oil on canvas and pencil sketches, some of which are signed - is works Elvgren produced for the famous Brown and Bigelow calendar.

The most desirable in the set are tipped to fetch as much as £50,000 each when they go under the hammer at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas, on behalf of several private collectors.

Cute: The pin-ups were popular for their 'girl next door' appeal because they were sexy but ultimately harmless, auctioneer Ed Jaster said 

Racy: Some of the images were used on the famous Brown and Bigelow calendar, which employed some of the best artists in the country
Racy: Some of the images were used on the famous Brown and Bigelow calendar, which employed some of the best artists in the country

Racy: Some of the images were used on the famous Brown and Bigelow calendar, which employed some of the best artists in the country

One painting depicts a buxom woman in a yellow swimming suit peering over the end of a diving board while another shows an attractive blonde creeping down the stairs holding a candle in one hand and a gun in the other.

Another highlight is a painting of a lady sat on a chair blowing up balloons with helium - and as they rise they lift her dress.

Ed Jaster, senior vice president at Heritage Auctions, said: 'These ten Gil Elvgren works have come to us from several collectors around the US.

'People who collect illustration consider Elvgren to be the best artist - he was a great painter and could have turned his hand to any style.

'He painted these pin-ups largely for the very famous Brown and Bigelow, a big calendar company who employed the very best artists.

'Pin-ups are cute - they're titillating but not overtly sexual. They appealed because of their "girl next door" qualities. They're sexy but harmless.

Sketch: Also included in the sale in Texas later this month are a couple of the early pencil drawing of some of the famous works
Sketch: Also included in the sale in Texas later this month are a couple of the early pencil drawing of some of the famous works

Sketch: Also included in the sale in Texas later this month are a couple of the early pencil drawing of some of the famous works

'They leave a lot to the imagination. The girls' nightgowns are sheer but not see through, and their tops fall down but without showing too much flesh.

'Pin-up collectors love them for that and are willing to pay more for them than they would for a nude painting.

'Three of the paintings are completely new to the market having been discovered in a house in Chicago.

'Collectors around the world are going to be very excited about this sale.'

The auction will take place on May 14. 

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