Very few original drawings by Eugene Bilbrew remain. Initially as prolific as his friend Eric Stanton, Bilbrew had by far the shorter career and he left little, if anything behind. This piece survived, but only through a most fortuitous set of circumstances.
Earlier Bilbrew had created quirky bondage serial drawings for Irving Klaw, which he sold along with photographs of Bettie Page and many other models in still shocking poses. It has been widely reported Klaw was pressured into destroying his bondage negatives and accounts estimate as much as 80 percent of the material was burned. Whether the original serial story panels Bilbrew drew for Klaw were destroyed at the same time is unknown.
This piece was done for the cover of Lenny Burtman's slick and glossy Stocking Parade in 1965. The issue is peppered with Bilbrew's and Stanton's work, as well as a full-size centerfold, in color, of Anita Ventura and Darlene Darcel. It is also not known how many color illustrations Bilbrew created, but the Exotique covers, also published by Burtman, were painted like this piece.
The original drawing is slightly larger than 8" x 10" and is signed prominently. The signature appeared on the cover as well which might indicate the artist had acquired a good following by then.
To show the artist's technique (as many of the followers here are illustrators and cartoonists) some enlargements are here, but I've watermarked them. Sorry. If you are going to share them I'm at least going to make you lift them off. Won't take long.
Original untitled drawing by Eugene Bilbrew, circa 1965 and Stocking Parade magazine Volume one, Number one Collection Victor Minx
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