Fading into Fame: The Most Collectible Art of Coles Phillips

Coles Phillips: the man, the myth, the mysterious master of the “fadeaway” technique! He made his subjects look like they were melting into their backgrounds long before Photoshop was even a twinkle in anyone’s eye. Born in 1880, Phillips’ artwork was everywhere in the early 20th century, from magazine covers to advertisements, so if you’re a collector, his works are like gold. Let’s explore the most collectible Phillips pieces and why they remain so irresistible.

1. Magazine Covers: When Life Wasn’t Just a Board Game

Back in the early 1900s, Phillips was on the cover of Life more times than you can count, which is saying something considering he didn’t even have social media. His covers were instantly recognizable because of his “Fadeaway Girl” technique—a brilliant optical illusion that made his models’ clothes blend into the background, like a very classy form of camouflage. Today, these covers are considered masterpieces, and owning one is a bit like holding the Rosetta Stone of modern fashion illustration.

Phillips’ covers for Life, Good Housekeeping, and other top-tier magazines are especially collectible. His cover “A Sunny Disposition” (1908) is legendary. Imagine a woman sitting amidst flowers, fading gracefully into a field of color, like an optical illusion that’s also elegant. He made household magazines glamorous, classy, and—dare we say it—fun.

Imagine being in 1908, flipping through Life, and realizing that your subscription includes not just articles but also literal pieces of art. That’s the magic Phillips brought to the table. And collectors know it too—Life covers by Phillips go for a pretty penny these days, especially because these magazines weren’t exactly archived in temperature-controlled vaults. So if you come across one in good condition, hold onto it for dear life.

2. Holeproof Hosiery Ads: Socks, but Make It Art

Phillips brought high fashion to… hosiery? Yes, Holeproof Hosiery hired him to make socks sexy, and he succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. Picture it: 1911. Stockings were basically a scandalous commodity, and here comes Phillips, painting glamorous women fading into their surroundings, their socks on full, artful display. It was both classy and clever, transforming something as mundane as hosiery into a work of art.

Collectors adore Holeproof Hosiery ads not only because they’re stunning examples of Phillips’ “Fadeaway Girl” technique but also because they’re like vintage ads with an aura. These ads, from 1911 to 1914, are more sought after than ever. Today, if you happen to find an original Holeproof Hosiery ad at a flea market, it’s akin to finding an autographed Van Gogh in a thrift shop—pure collector’s gold.

3. Fadeaway Girl Series: The World’s First (and Classiest) Optical Illusions

Ah, the “Fadeaway Girl”—Phillips’ invention, his pride, and his legacy. When he created these illustrations, he didn’t just blur lines between his subjects and backgrounds; he turned magazine covers into playful puzzles. What’s that? Her dress is the same color as the wall behind her? Her arm’s blending into a curtain? It was like magic, and people loved it. So do collectors today.

The appeal of the Fadeaway Girl series is partly because it was so darn clever. You’re looking at an illustration that makes you do a double-take, and that’s just as engaging in 2024 as it was in 1914. Collectors consider these pieces the holy grail of Phillips’ work, as they’re the purest form of his artistic invention. Each piece is a bit of a visual joke, except the punchline is class, elegance, and fine art.

4. Book Covers: Judging a Book by Its Fabulous Cover

Now, we know we’re told not to judge a book by its cover, but when it’s a Coles Phillips cover? All bets are off. Phillips illustrated for authors like Edward Streeter, who wrote tales about middle-class Americans with enough charm to fill a vintage department store window. His covers turned ordinary stories into showstoppers.

One standout example? His cover for “Pretty Polly Perkins.” This was no ordinary book cover—it was an invitation to step back into a time of wit, glamour, and subtle humor, all wrapped up in Phillips’ iconic fadeaway style. Owning a Phillips book cover today is like owning a slice of literary and artistic history. Collectors value these because they’re as rare as a decent parking spot at a 1920s sock-hop, and they hold up remarkably well as artifacts of early American pop culture.

5. War Bond Posters: When Art Went to Battle

Who says patriotism and art can’t mix? Phillips answered the call during WWI by creating War Bond posters that were both effective and beautiful. He took a break from magazine covers and hosiery ads to design these posters, which are unique in his body of work.

Collectors adore these posters not only for their historical significance but also because they’re some of Phillips’ rarest pieces. Imagine hanging one of these on your wall; it’s like owning a piece of art history that also supported the war effort. And it’s not just any war—it’s the war that shaped the modern world. These posters represent a time when art wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about impact, and Phillips was at the helm.

6. Private Sketches and Oddities: Phillips, the Person

Every great artist has a few hidden gems, and Phillips is no exception. Phillips occasionally made sketches for friends and family, and these works are like peeking into the artist’s private life. Imagine a birthday card from Coles Phillips; it’s a treasure for any collector today because these sketches are so personal, rare, and often more playful than his commercial work.

The sketches reveal the artist behind the iconic pieces. Owning one of these is like getting a backstage pass to Phillips’ life. So if you ever find a sketch by Phillips tucked away somewhere, grab it! It’s like owning a Picasso doodle—rare, priceless, and unique in a way that only private art can be.

7. Brighter Color Palettes and Experimental Pieces: The Unexpected Phillips

While Phillips is best known for his soft pastels and subtle fades, some of his lesser-known works used bolder colors. These experimental pieces show a different side of Phillips—one that played with colors outside of his usual palette. These rare pieces are a dream come true for collectors looking for something different.

Imagine Phillips in his studio, mixing up colors, trying something new—maybe a splash of red here, a dash of teal there. These experimental works feel like Coles Phillips, unplugged. For a collector, owning one of these is like having a limited-edition Phillips, a version of the artist that few got to see.

The Enduring Allure of Coles Phillips’ Art

What is it about Coles Phillips that makes collectors swoon? Maybe it’s the ingenious fadeaway technique, or the way he captured a world that was both elegant and forward-thinking. His work isn’t just beautiful—it’s clever. It makes you look twice, smile, and then maybe feel a little smarter for having figured it out.

Phillips’ work sits at a unique intersection of fine art, advertising, and fashion. He didn’t just illustrate; he invented a style that was cool in 1910 and is still cool now. Collectors today chase after Phillips pieces because they’re like holding a piece of early pop culture. He was a magician with a paintbrush, and his works are time capsules of American optimism, charm, and a healthy dose of wit.

Wrapping It Up: Why Coles Phillips Is Collectors’ Gold

In the end, Coles Phillips’ art is the perfect blend of beauty, wit, and history. Whether it’s a cover from Life, a war bond poster, or a private sketch, each piece tells a story. His work is as much a relic of the past as it is a testament to his genius. So if you come across a Phillips, don’t hesitate. Collect it, display it, and let it fade into your own background as a conversation piece—Phillips would have loved that.