"Everybody’s Happy” Original Calendar Proof Art by Lawrence Wilbur Circa 1940s

This original calendar proof art illustration titled Everybody’s Happy was created by noted commercial illustrator Lawrence Wilbur for calendar production. The cheerful image depicts a young girl holding a Jack Russell terrier—an engaging, mass-appeal subject typical of mid-20th-century commercial illustration.

This artwork was produced as pre-production proof art, intended for approval and selection prior to calendar printing. The reverse includes production details identifying the image title, size, and multiple mount options offered to advertisers—clear evidence of its use within the commercial calendar industry. The artwork measures 7 inches by 9 inches.

Proof art such as this served as the source material for printed calendars and was not itself a finished calendar or reproduction, making it a distinctive and collectible example of advertising history. 

⚜️ Artist Information: Born Lawrence Lazear Wilbur in 1893, Lawrence Wilbur was raised in Omaha, Nebraska and later moved to New York City to study art. He established a successful career as a commercial illustrator, producing work for calendars, advertising campaigns, billboards, and magazine covers—including covers for The Saturday Evening Post. Wilbur’s career reflects the golden age of American commercial illustration. He died in 1976.