Harold M. Lambert
1937 Harold M Lambert Mother & Baby Proof or Calendar Print
Collector’s Note
A documented 1937 photograph by Harold M. Lambert preserved here in both an original pre-press hand-colorized proof and a later calendar reproduction. The Getty Images archive confirms attribution and date.
Description An original hand-colorized commercial proof depicting a young mother holding her newborn child. The composition reflects the sentimental domestic imagery characteristic of late-1930s American calendar and advertising illustration.
The black-and-white source image appears in the Getty Images archive as Mother Holding Her Sweet Baby, editorial #953602426, credited to Harold M. Lambert with a creation date of January 1, 1937.
In the original hand-colorized proof, the mother’s dress is richly tinted in blue with a golden collar, while the infant remains largely uncolored — revealing the staged nature of the proofing process. This unfinished treatment provides insight into commercial color application prior to final reproduction.
The accompanying reproduction calendar print, titled The Little Lady (Picture No. 1626; Style No. 70; A Tru Art Picture – Hand Tinted), shows the infant fully colorized in pink gown and booties. The printed reverse confirms its use in calendar mount production.
Together, the two prints demonstrate the transition from studio proof to consumer-facing calendar art — a rare opportunity to see both stages of commercial illustration practice.
The original pre-press proof and the later calendar reproduction are available individually via the selection menu above. When acquired together, they offer a compelling study in commercial color development from studio proof to finished calendar production.
Original Hand-Colorized Commercial Proof (7" x 9"): image size does not include border, very good condition, bright colors; no damage. [$350.00}
Calendar Reproduction Print Size: (10" x 12 ¾”): image size does not include border, very good condition, bright colors, ¾” scratch near baby's head; printed reverse with production information. [$165.00]
Historical Reference
The two pieces were acquired in Joliet, Illinois, historically home to the Gerlach-Barklow Company, one of the leading American art calendar publishers of the early twentieth century. While the prints are unmarked, the discovery location reflects the broader Midwestern calendar printing industry active during this period.
Framing Appeal
The intimate mother-and-child composition makes this piece especially appealing for nursery décor, cottage interiors, or collectors of sentimental calendar art. Displaying the proof alongside the reproduction offers a compelling visual study of pre-press color development.
Artist Biography
Harold M. Lambert (1917–1969) was an American photographer active from the late 1930s through the 1960s, producing editorial, commercial, and lifestyle imagery during the height of mid-century magazine culture. His work appeared in national publications and promotional advertising contexts, reflecting the narrative warmth and staged realism characteristic of the era.
