# Charles Buckles Falls > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Charles_Buckles_Falls > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Charles_Buckles_Falls.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Buckles_Falls > Source revision: 1354483929 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) American artist and writer Charles Buckles Falls C. B. Falls in 1918 Born (1874-12-10)December 10, 1874 Fort Wayne, Indiana Died April 15, 1960(1960-04-15) (aged 85) New York City, New York Known for Drawing, painting, writing, advertising, stage design Awards The Benjamin West Clinedinst Memorial Medal **Charles Buckles Falls**, also known as **C. B. Falls** (December 10, 1874 – April 15, 1960), was an American artist and member of the [Decorative Designers](/source/Decorative_Designers), most known for his illustrations and writings. He is the author and illustrator of several books, including *The ABC Book*. He is also known for his World War I poster advertisements, such as *Books Wanted*.[1] ## Biography Falls illustration for the "Books Wanted" campaign (*Harper's Magazine*, November 1918) Falls painting a 15-foot poster for the "Books Wanted" campaign at the New York Public Library (March 1918) Bookplate for the "Books Wanted" campaign 1914 Number 16 Masks Charles Buckles Falls was born on December 10, 1874, in [Fort Wayne, Indiana](/source/Fort_Wayne%2C_Indiana). In his early twenties he moved to [Chicago](/source/Chicago), where he began his career as an architect's assistant and as a sketch artist for the *[Chicago Tribune](/source/Chicago_Tribune)*.[2] While working as an architect's assistant, he taught himself how to draft and ultimately became a freelance artist.[3] Unhappy with his salary, Falls left the *Chicago Tribune* and moved to [New York City](/source/New_York_City) around 1900.[4] While in New York, he struggled to find work until he met the artist and author [Joseph Pennell](/source/Joseph_Pennell).[4] ## Career Falls illustrated many different books for various authors, as well as various magazines and posters. During World War I, he was a member of the [Society of Illustrators](/source/Society_of_Illustrators), with whom he produced war propaganda for the [Committee on Public Information](/source/Committee_on_Public_Information)'s Division of Pictorial Publicity.[5] Falls illustrated posters throughout the war that promoted military recruitment as well as book drives to benefit soldiers overseas.[3] This latter effort can be seen in his poster *Books Wanted*. *Books Wanted* depicts a soldier carrying a stack of books. The caption reads: *Books wanted for our men in camp and "over there". Take your gifts to the public library*. This poster was considered to be a success and brought Falls recognition, even though he designed the poster in less than 24 hours.[1] In 1923, Falls teamed up with [Doubleday](/source/Doubleday_(publisher)) editor [May Massee](/source/May_Massee) to create *The ABC Book*. Falls wrote and illustrated the wood block book.[6] It features wood block cuts of various animals that are used to help represent certain letters of the alphabet, and utilizes blue, green, orange, and yellow backgrounds to enhance the black-inked woodcuts. This color scheme differs from the earth tone colors that were used by most artists at that time.[7] Falls' wood block design is believed to have been inspired by English author [William Nicholson](/source/William_Nicholson_(artist%2C_born_1872))'s *The Square Book of Animals*. Falls received good reviews for *The ABC Book*, which was used to show that American authors were able to create work on the same level as their English peers.[6] With this success, Falls would go on to illustrate several other children's books. While he is most commonly known for his illustrations of posters and books, Falls was also involved in many different art forms. He designed fabrics, furniture, and even trade bindings.[2] He was also involved in stage design, helping to design scenery and costumes for the [American Society of Illustrators](/source/Society_of_Illustrators), as well as the [Palace Theatre](/source/Palace_Theatre_(New_York_City)) and [Fifth Avenue Theatre](/source/Fifth_Avenue_Theatre) in New York.[8] In 1916, two years after election to the Salmagundi Club New York,[9] he was among the 24 artists to participate in the 1914 annual (until 1924) auction of Artists Ceramics Mugs, inaugurated in 1899 to create a Library Fund.[10] The mug is in the Permanent Collection of the club. In 1914, Falls wrote, directed, and starred in a play called "Perfectly Happy" that performed at the Berkeley Theatre.[11] Falls also created designs and illustrations for various magazines, including *[Vogue](/source/Vogue_(magazine))*, *[Redbook](/source/Redbook)*, *[Collier's](/source/Collier's)*, and *[Everybody's](/source/Everybody's_Magazine)* magazines, as well as various companies such as [Dodd, Meade, & Co.](/source/Dodd_Meade), Edison & Co., and [Marshall Field & Co.](/source/Marshall_Field_%26_Co.)[8] After the 1930s, Falls began to receive fewer commissions. The dramatic, aggressive, and colorful style that had brought him success was no longer considered fashionable in the changing graphic art world.[2] Nevertheless, Falls still produced work, such as his books *The First 3000 Years* and *The Story of Christmas*. ## Style Example of Falls' use of color and his famous, black square signature Falls is known for his skill as a letter-illustrator, often using large, "eccentric" black letters.[12] He is also known for his woodblocks. Unlike most woodblock artists of his time, Falls incorporated brighter colors of blue, green, orange, and yellow, to contrast his black-inked woodcuts.[7] While working in Chicago, it is believed that Fall's style was inspired by the work of [Phil May](/source/Phil_May_(caricaturist)) and [Edward Penfield](/source/Edward_Penfield). After moving to New York, he would be influenced by the work of [Art Nouveau](/source/Art_Nouveau).[2] Fall's signature also features its own style. On many of his illustrations, Falls drew a small box with his name or simply with the initial "F". This signature became so well known that eventually he was able to drop the initial from the box.[12] ## Awards and exhibitions In 1960, Falls was recognized for his work with the Benjamin West Clinedinst Memorial Medal, which is awarded for exceptional artistic merit.[13] He was an honorary president of the Artists Guild.[14] Falls' artwork has been featured at many museums, including an exhibition of World War I posters at the [Pritzker Military Museum and Library](/source/Pritzker_Military_Museum_and_Library).[4] His collection can be found at the Chapin Library of [Williams College](/source/Williams_College).[2] ## Personal life and death On March 15, 1917, Falls married Bedelia M. Croly, with whom he had a daughter, Bedelia Jane.[14] Many of his books were dedicated to his daughter, including *The ABC Book*, which he created to help her learn the alphabet.[3] Charles Buckles Falls died age 85 on April 15, 1960.[1] ## Gallery - Posters designed by C.B. Falls ## See also - [Decorative Designers](/source/Decorative_Designers) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Darracott_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Darracott_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Darracott_1-2) Darracott, Joseph (1974). *The First World War in Posters*. Dover Publications. p. xviii. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0486229793](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0486229793). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hammond_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hammond_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Hammond_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Hammond_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Hammond_2-4) Hammond, Wayne G. (March 1992). ["The Trade Bindings of C.B. Falls"](http://bindings.lib.ua.edu/TBR%20Newsletter/TBR_news_Mar92_no4.pdf) (PDF). *Trade Bindings Research Newsletter* (4): 3. Retrieved 3 November 2014. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Young_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Young_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Young_3-2) Kiley, Timothy G. Young; with the assistance of Patrick (2007). *Drawn to enchant: Original children's book art in the Betsy Beinecke Shirley collection*. New Haven, Conn.: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. pp. 20, 203. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780300126730](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780300126730).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list)) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Pritzker_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Pritzker_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Pritzker_4-2) ["American Icons of the Great War: Load Him Up Again!"](http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/explore/museum/past-exhibits/american-icons-great-war/load-him-again/). *Pritzker Military Museum & Library*. Pritzker Military Museum & Library. Retrieved 3 November 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Jackall_5-0)** Jackall, Robert; Hirota, Janice M. (2003). *Image makers: ADVERTISING, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND THE ETHOS OF ADVOCACY*. Chicago: Univ Of Chicago Press. p. 17. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780226389172](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780226389172). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Marcus_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Marcus_6-1) Marcus, Leonard S. (2008). [*Minders of make-believe : idealists, entrepreneurs, and the shaping of American children's literature*](https://archive.org/details/mindersofmakebel00marc/page/93). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. p. [93-35](https://archive.org/details/mindersofmakebel00marc/page/93). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780395674079](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780395674079). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cooper_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cooper_7-1) Cooper, Cathie Hilterbran (1995). *ABC books and activities: from preschool to high school*. Methuen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press. p. 108. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780810830134](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780810830134). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Bowles_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Bowles_8-1) Bowles, Joseph Moore; Rogers, Bruce (1918). [*Some Examples of the Work of American Designers*](https://books.google.com/books?id=-shAAQAAMAAJ&pg=PT30). Dill & Collins Company. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Centennial roster of the Salmagundi Club since its inception in 1871 to 1972. (SCNY, New York, 1972, p. 46) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** The Salmagundi Club Painting Exhibition Records1889 to 1939 : A guide to the annual exhibition of oil paintings and The annual exhibition and auction sale of pictures, Alexander W. Katlan, (SCNY, New York, 2008, p. 87) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Carlebach, Michael (2011). *Bain's New York: The city in news pictures, 1900–1925*. New York: Dover Publications. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780486478586](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780486478586). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cabarga_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cabarga_12-1) Cabarga, Leslie (2003). *The logo, font & lettering bible*. Cincinnati, OH: How Design Books. p. 82. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781581804362](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781581804362). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Clinedinst_13-0)** ["The Benjamin West Clinedinst Memorial Medal"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141103223951/http://artistsfellowship.org/clinedinst.jpg). *Artists' Fellowship, Inc*. Artists' Fellowship, Inc. Archived from [the original](http://artistsfellowship.org/clinedinst.jpg) on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Indiana_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Indiana_14-1) Thompson, Donald Eugene. ["Indiana Authors and Their Books 1917-1966"](http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/inauthors/view?docId=encyclopedia%2FVAA5365-02&brand=ia-books&field1=text&text1=Charles+Buckles+Falls&submit=Search&hit.rank=1). *Indiana University: Indiana Authors and Their Books*. Wabash College. Retrieved 27 October 2014. ## External links - [A poster illustrated by C.B. Falls](http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/museum/digital-collection/view/oclc/794303050) - [Audio about C.B. Falls from Pritzker Military Museum & Library exhibit](http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/explore/museum/past-exhibits/american-icons-great-war/load-him-again/) - [A bookplate as illustrated by C.B. Falls](https://specialcollections.raynordslab.org/om/s/plates/item/1213) in Raynor Library's *Ex Libris* Collection. v t e American woodblock printmakers Provincetown Printers Ada Gilmore (1883–1955) Ella Sophonisba Hergesheimer (1873–1943) Mabel Hewit (1903–1984) Edna Boies Hopkins (1872–1937) Blanche Lazzell (1878–1956) Karl Knaths (1891–1971) Ethel Mars (1876–ca. 1956) Mildred McMillen (1884–1940) Bror Julius Olsson Nordfeldt (1878–1955) Maud Hunt Squire (1873–1954) Mary Tannahill (1863–1951) Anna Heyward Taylor (1879–1956) Ferol Sibley Warthen (1890–1986) Agnes Weinrich (1873–1946) William Zorach (1887–1966) Studied in Japan Charles W. Bartlett (1860–1940) Sarah Brayer (born 1957) Elizabeth Eaton Burton (1869–1937) Daniel Kelly (born 1947) Yasuhide Kobashi (1931–2003) Bertha Lum (1869–1954) Lilian May Miller (1895–1943) Hiroki Morinoue (born 1947) Chiura Obata (1885–1975) Masami Teraoka (born 1936) Other Howard Albert (1911–2004) Katrina Andry (born 1981) John E. Buck (born 1946) Arthur Wesley Dow (1857–1922) Janet Doub Erickson (born 1924) Charles Buckles Falls (1874–1960) Frances Gearhart (1869–1959) May Gearhart (1872–1951) Norma Bassett Hall (1889–1957) James D. Havens (1900–1960) Helen West Heller (1872–1955) Helen Hyde (1868-1919) Dennis Ichiyama (living person) Tom Killion (artist) (born 1953) Paul Landacre (1893–1963) J. J. Lankes (1884–1960) Holly Meade (1956–2013) Mabel Pugh (1891–1986) William S. Rice (1873–1963) Brian Shure (born 1952) Margaret Ely Webb (1877–1965) Instructors Arthur Wesley Dow (1857–1922) Chiura Obata (1885–1975) William S. Rice (1873–1963) Brian Shure (born 1952) Related topics Conservation and restoration of woodblock prints The Japanese Art Society of America Japonism Ukiyo-e White-line woodcut Woodcut Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States France BnF data Italy Spain Portugal Netherlands Poland Israel Catalonia Artists ULAN Museum of Modern Art People Trove Other IdRef Open Library SNAC Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Charles Buckles Falls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Buckles_Falls) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Buckles_Falls?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.