Original Cover Art

The variety and changing nature of romance cover illustration themes and styles over the decades is a big part vintage romance’s appeal. For those who want to go beyond collecting the illustrations in book form to procuring them as original art or reproductions, the following is a list of sites and galleries where originals can be purchased. Important Note: I have not vetted these sources and their inclusion here should not be taken as an endorsement. I strongly encourage you to do your own research before purchasing from these or any sources

Where to purchase cover art

  • 1st Dibs Includes the works of several different romance illustrators including Robert Berran, Enrich Torres, & Charles Winfield Miller
  • ebay The best way to know what, if any, illustrations are available on ebay at any given time is to do a keyword search, either for specific illustrators or, more generally, for original book or romance cover illustration or art. You have the option of saving your searches and ebay will notify you when items matching them are listed.
  • John Ennis
  • Etsy Everything recommended for finding illustrations on ebay also applies to finding them on Etsy.
  • Victor Gadino
  • Elaine Gignilliat A website by Elaine’s daughter with a gallery and information about Elaine’s career. Prints are for sale, & while there’s no specific information about purchasing originals, you can inquire through the contact option on the site. Additionally, Lovestruck Books in Boston currently has a gallery show of Gignilliat’s originals! No word yet on how long it will be up, or if the originals on display are for sale
  • Max Ginsburg Illustration
  • Heritage Auctions A changing selection of original illustrations searchable on the site by keyword. Currently there’s a Francis Marshall (illustrator for many Barbara Cartland romances) available; previous sales include illustrations for gothic romances
  • The Illustrated Gallery Includes the works of multiple romance illustrators including Robert Mcguire, Ted Sizemore, & Ron Lesser, as well as magazine and poster illustrators
  • Frank Kalan Some of Kalan’s illustrations will be sold through Heritage Auctions sometime in the fall of 2026 (no date is available yet). For available illustrations, you can contact his daughter directly through the website and inquire about the possibility of purchase
  • LiveAuctioneers A changing selection of original illustrations searchable on the site by keyword. Previous sales include illustrations by Harry Bennett and gothic novel illustrations by unidentified artists
  • Lou Marchetti Marchetti’s gothic romance cover illustrations are not directly for sale on this site. However, you can contact his daughter to inquire about availability
  • Sharon Spiak