The Criterion, A WEEKLY JOURNAL

Very rare poster by Blanche McMANUS for the periodical CRITERION, professionally stabilized with Sekishu backing.

Blanche McManus (American, Louisiana 1870-1931) is amongst the earliest women pioneers to be an American book illustrator as well as poster designer.

”Born in Louisiana, McManus studied in Paris before returning to America, where her brief poster career flourished. Eight posters are attributed to her and she is considered one of the best female designers of the era (along with Florence Lundborg, Ethel Reed and Alice Glenny). Shortly after the turn-of-the-century she returned to Paris and worked as a book illustrator. She wrote and illustrated at least one book of her own, The True Mother Goose, (and created a poster for it), as well as authoring The American Woman Abroad and Our French Cousins. "Her posters are boldly conceived, with a sure sense of the well-drawn line and a controlled use of contrasting color to create a positive and negative image" (Kiehl p. 189)

The Criterion – ‘An Illustrated Weekly Journal’ – was published weekly from August 1896 to March 31, 1900; and monthly from April 1900 to May 1905.