Greg Hildebrandt and his twin brother Tim were born in Detroit, Michigan in 1939. Growing up the pair were avid artists and creative thinkers whose passion for the arts continued with them throughout their childhoods. After attending the Meinzinger Art School, Greg and Tim worked for the Jam Handy Organization and Industrial Film Production Corporation on animated training films for the auto industry, the military and major U.S. corporations.
In 1963, Greg and Tim moved to New York City and began working for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on his weekly TV show Life is Worth Living, along with producing films on world hunger. Transferring their focus to commercial illustration, Greg and Tim illustrated the first of a series of The Lord of the Rings calendars for Ballantine Books. This series launched the two men into international fame, with over a million calendars sold, and led to Lucasfilms hiring the pair to create the movie poster for Star Wars: A New Hope.
The long partnership between Greg and Tim gained them international recognition as well as numerous awards and honors. Sadly, Tim passed away in 2006 due to complications of diabetes. After 20 years, Greg returned to Star Wars painting three new pieces for Star Wars compendium covers with Marvel Comics. He has since painted comic covers for Deadpool, Old Man Logan, Secret Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America, and The Mighty Thor.
Hake’s Americana & Collectibles Auction #223 is open for bidding and features everything from concert posters to sports memorabilia. A favorite feature of Hake’s returning this year is the wide selection of original art by Greg Hildebrandt. The collection at Hake’s features examples of Greg’s work in different mediums and for varying projects.
Highlighted in lot 1406 is a professionally matted and framed original art painting paying homage to Dave Cockrum and Bob McLeod’s cover to Uncanny X-Men #94, published by Marvel in 1975. This cover features the faces of Storm, Cyclops, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Banshee altered into skulls, tying in with the Death of X variant cover for issue 4.
Lot 1409 spotlights mixed media original artwork on black illustration depicting DC Comics superheroine Wonder Woman as she deflects bullets with her Bracelets of Submission. A stone wall topped by barbed wire can be seen in the background as her Lasso of Truth glows on her hip.
Included in lot 1411 is mixed media original artwork on black illustration board featuring a full body image of Star Wars villain Darth Vader. The art shows Vader standing triumphantly amongst rubble with his hands on hips. This piece, as well as the two listed above, are signed by Greg Hildebrandt.
Bidding on these incredible offerings, as well as the others featured in the Hildebrandt collection, closes on March 13-15, 2018. Head over to hakes.com to browse further selections and get stared on bidding today.
