Mort Künstler: For Men Only

(Above) click image for larger view

MORT KÜNSTLER (American, b. 1931)

Sweet Lips Cove, Male illustration, November c. 1963

Gouache on board

16.5 x 19 in.

Signed lower left

(Above) click image for larger view

MORT KÜNSTLER (American, b. 1931)

General Mark Clark’s Manhunt for Europe’s G. I. Vice Lord, Stag illustration, February 1962

Gouache on board

16.5 x 2 in.

Signed lower right

(Above) click image for larger view

MORT KÜNSTLER (American, b. 1931)

Hit and Run Rocket Raid, cover illustration, c. 1965

Gouache on board showing margins

12 x 17 in.

Signed lower right.

This illustration appeared on the cover of a Magazine Management title, probably For Men Only, c. 1965.

(Above) click image for larger view

MORT KÜNSTLER (American, b. 1931)

Putting on Nylons, Men cover, 1970

Oil on board

10.5 x 12 in.

Initialed lower right

This illustration appeared on the cover of the February 1970 issue of Men.

(Above) click image for larger view

MORT KÜNSTLER (American, b. 1931)

Fight for the Mine Shaft, Male cover, January 1963

Gouache on board

20 x 15 in.

Signed lower left

(Above) click image for larger view

MORT KÜNSTLER (American, b. 1931)

Redhead Swinger, Stag Book Bonus illustration, February 1968

Gouache on board

15 x 18 in.

Signed lower left

(Above) click image for larger view

MORT KÜNSTLER (American, b. 1931)

The Sex and Rest Castle, Male illustration, January 1968

Gouache on board

18 x 25.5 in.

Signed lower left

(Above) click image for larger view

MORT KÜNSTLER (American, b. 1931) (as EMMETT KAYE)

Trapped in Submarine Freezer, For Men Only cover, May 1969

Mixed media on board, with overlay

12 x 17 in.

Signed lower left.

(Above) click image for larger view

MORT KÜNSTLER (American, b. 1931)

The Marine Who Hid the Pacific’s 12 Most Wanted Women, For Men Only cover, April 1961

Gouache on board

18 x 14 in.

Signed lower left.

This Men Only cover scene was based on the feature, “The Marine Who Hit the Pacific’s 12 Most Wanted Women: a True Behind-Enemy-Lines Submarine Rescue.”

(Above) Actual publication of “For Men Only.” click image for larger view!


MORT KÜNSTLER, BY VIRTUE OF HIS EXTRAORDINARY TALENT, had some of the best illustration assignments I have ever seen. That is, if you like campy illustrations like this. You have to admit, war in the eyes of these men’s magazine editors and writers was more about smuggling hot babes onto submarines than fighting the enemy. With titles like “Sweet Lips Cove” and “The Sex and Rest Castle,” it was a hellava day at the easel.

The early work of Mort Künstler and other top illustrators came up for auction at the 2010 May Signature Illustration Art Auction in Beverly Hills, CA (Auction #7015). You can see the art of Mr. Künstler and numerous others here.

Don’t forget to click to see a larger view!