Robert K. Abbett

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Robert Kennedy Abbett (b. 1926, Hammond, Indiana) is an American artist and illustrator. During the late-1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Robert Abbett illustrated book covers for war novels, detective novels, thrillers, historical fiction and science fiction. Today, Abbett is best known for his paintings of wildlife (in particular, dogs), wilderness, sporting, and fishing.

His illustrations have been featured in a large number of books, magazines, and advertising. He has also authored or been featured in several art-related books, including A Season for Painting: The Outdoor Paintings of Robert K. Abbett  and  Wings from Cover: The Upland Images of Robert Abbett and Ed Gray.

Abbett is a graduate of both the University of Missouri and Purdue University. In 1953, Abbett moved to rural Connecticut where he built a house on an old farm (namely, Oakdale Farm). There, Abbett was inspired by the untouched wilderness and forests, and began painting what he has become famous for today: animals and countrylife.

Contents

[edit] Book covers illustrations

Front cover of the 1974 Ballantine Books paperback printing of Tarzan and the Leopard Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Cover art by Robert Abbett .
Front cover of the 1974 Ballantine Books paperback printing of Tarzan and the Leopard Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Cover art by Robert Abbett .
Cover of the 1960 Pocket Books Cardinal Edition paperback version of Colonel Hugh North Solves The Multi-Million-Dollar Murders by F. Van Wyck Mason. Cover illustration by Robert Abbett.
Cover of the 1960 Pocket Books Cardinal Edition paperback version of Colonel Hugh North Solves The Multi-Million-Dollar Murders by F. Van Wyck Mason. Cover illustration by Robert Abbett.

Robert K. Abbett was an illustrator for Ballantine Books[1], Pyramid Books and Ace Books, as well as Gold Medal, Avon, Permabook, and Pocket Books. He illustrated Edgar Rice Burroughs' books[2], including the Tarzan series[3], Barsoom series[4][5], and Pellucidar [6][7]series.

[edit] Books

Cover of the 1962 Pyramid Books paperback edition of Cleopatra by Jeffrey K. Gardner. Cover art by Robert Abbett.
Cover of the 1962 Pyramid Books paperback edition of Cleopatra by Jeffrey K. Gardner. Cover art by Robert Abbett.
Front cover of the 1958 Permabook paperback version of Spearhead by Franklin M. Davis, Jr.  Cover art by Robert Abbett.
Front cover of the 1958 Permabook paperback version of Spearhead by Franklin M. Davis, Jr. Cover art by Robert Abbett.
Cover of the 1964 Ballantine Books paperback edition of The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.  Cover illustration  by Robert Abbett.
Cover of the 1964 Ballantine Books paperback edition of The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Cover illustration by Robert Abbett.

[edit] Tarzan

[edit] Barsoom (Mars)

[edit] Pellucidar

[edit] Notes

Cover of the 1966 Avon Books paperback edition of In the Last Analysis by Amanda Cross, (Pseudonym of Carolyn G. Heilbrun).  Cover art by Robert Abbett.
Cover of the 1966 Avon Books paperback edition of In the Last Analysis by Amanda Cross, (Pseudonym of Carolyn G. Heilbrun). Cover art by Robert Abbett.
  1. ^ Dr. Michael S. Smith. ACE SF K-Series Singles Image Library. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
  2. ^ Robert R. Barrett. To Bora-Bora and Back Again: The Story of Armstrong W. Sperry. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
  3. ^ Nick Knowles. ERB Paperback Collector U.S. First Editions. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
  4. ^ FALCONER'S FANTASY BOOKS. The Barsoom Series The John Carter Trilogy. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
  5. ^ Nick Knowles. Mars Series: Ballantine Books Series 1 Cover art by Robert Abbett. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
  6. ^ Nick Knowles. Pellucidar 4. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
  7. ^ Tarzan at the Earth's Core Publishing History. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
  8. ^ ERBzine.com. ERB CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
  9. ^ ERBzine.com. TARZAN AND "THE FOREIGN LEGION. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
  10. ^ Burroughs Bibliophiles, Inc.. BURROUGHS BULLETIN Illustrated Bibliography IV: Issues 61 - 80. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
  11. ^ Tarzan.com. TARZAN AND THE CASTAWAYS. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.

[edit] External links

Front cover of the Gold Medal Books 1957 paperback edition of Assignment Stella Marni by Edward S. Aarons. Cover illustration by Robert Abbett.
Front cover of the Gold Medal Books 1957 paperback edition of Assignment Stella Marni by Edward S. Aarons. Cover illustration by Robert Abbett.