Ron Lesser is one of America’s greatest illustration artists. The Art of Ron Lesser Volume 1: Deadly Dames and Sexy Sirens is a deluxe, 145-page, hardcover art book that showcases more than 200 book covers, posters, original paintings, and model reference photos from artist Ron Lesser’s personal archives, illuminated by his own commentary. It gives the reader unique insights into the man, his work, and the world of commercial illustration. This volume focuses on the paperback cover, movie and magazine artwork Lesser painted from 1959 to 1979. The copies sold via this listing are being offered by the Co-Editor of the book, Robert Deis [that's me]. Future volumes in The Art of Ron Lesser series will focus on other decades and subjects, such as his Western and action/adventure paperbacks, celebrity portraits, historical artwork, and more. (I sell the paperback edition of the book in a separate listing.)

In the late 1950s, while studying with the legendary art teacher Frank J. Reilly at the Art Students League in New York City, Ron Lesser embarked on a long career as one of America’s top illustration artists. Over the next four decades, his artwork was used for thousands of paperback book covers, movie posters, magazines, and advertisements. Many great artists once made a good living doing such illustration artwork and Ron Lesser is among the best. He’s also one of the few who are still alive and still painting.

“This astonishing book – perhaps the best ever assembled about a key artist of paperback book covers – is a mind-boggling feast for the eyes. What surprised me most was how many books I have purchased over the last fifty years, how many movies I have attended, that were due to Ron Lesser luring me in. Nothing ‘lesser’ about Ron – he is one of the handful of masters, right next to McGinnis and Maguire.”

– Max Allan Collins

Bestselling author of Road to Perdition, The Quarry novel series, and Spillane: King of Pulp Fiction

“Ron Lesser’s captivating depictions of impossibly beautiful women have always held a magnetic allure for connoisseurs of vintage paperbacks. This long-overdue and meticulously crafted book offers a rich tribute to Lesser’s illustrious career, brimming with an array of his original art, reference photographs, and a treasure trove of vintage artifacts – from paperback covers to movie posters and beyond. This inaugural volume in an anticipated series is an instant ‘must have’ for fans of paperback art, and a particular delight for those who appreciate the timeless charms of deadly dames and sexy sirens!”

– Dan Zimmer

Editor and publisher of Illustration magazine