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Bill Ward Original ZIP Magazine Illustration – September 1970 – Humorama / Timely Features
A striking large-format original Bill Ward gag illustration created for ZIP magazine, September 1970, from the Humorama line published by Timely Features, Inc.
This is a particularly elaborate Ward composition, featuring a glamorous central female figure seated during the reading of a will, surrounded by a wonderfully expressive cast of disapproving relatives and a startled attorney. Ward fills the scene with the hallmarks collectors look for in his work: dramatic stockings and heels, highly modeled Conte-style shading, bold white highlights, exaggerated facial expressions, period fashion, and dense narrative detail.
The artwork is signed by Bill Ward at lower right.
Publication / Production Provenance
The original production backing board carries several important period markings, including:
- TIMELY FEATURES, INC.
- 299 Madison Ave., New York City 10017
- Humorama production markings
- Handwritten “Zip – 9/70”
- Additional editorial and reproduction notations
These surviving production markings strongly document the work as an original published Humorama-era illustration associated with ZIP, September 1970.
The handwritten caption area at the bottom also survives, including editorial alterations and production notes, giving the piece the unmistakable character of original working publication art rather than a later recreation or commission.
Dimensions
Original artwork/image: approximately 18" × 13.5"
Original production backing board: approximately 19.625" × 14.25"
The artwork is presently loose from its original production backing board rather than adhered to it. A clearly visible rectangular mounting area remains on the board and corresponds to the artwork dimensions. This arrangement may be particularly convenient for a future owner wishing to professionally mat and frame the artwork without first having to remove it from an adhered backing.
The original production backing board is included and should be considered an important part of the artwork's provenance.
Condition
The original artwork presents very well for a vintage published illustration of this age.
There is expected age-related toning, border discoloration, remnants and staining associated with earlier production mounting, and general handling wear around the outer margins. The production backing board shows additional age, tape residue, editorial markings and publishing-related wear.
The central artwork itself remains highly attractive, with strong dark values, excellent contrast, bright white highlights, a clean and highly legible Ward signature, and impressive visual presence.
Please review all photographs carefully, including close-ups, edge views, reverse images and production markings, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Collector Appeal
Bill Ward remains one of the most recognizable American pin-up and glamour cartoonists of the mid-20th century, and his Humorama work represents one of the most distinctive chapters of his career.
This example offers an unusually appealing combination:
Large format • Full-figure Ward girl • Multiple-character gag scene • Signed original art • Identified ZIP publication • September 1970 production notation • Timely Features stamp • Original production backing board
Comparable large-format Ward Humorama originals have produced sale results well into the mid-four figures. For example, a 13" × 18" Ward Humorama illustration sold through Heritage in September 2025 for $2,625, while Heritage's Ward archive records numerous stronger examples around and above the $2,500-$3,000 level. Heritage sales
A terrific opportunity to acquire a substantial, documented example of Bill Ward's published glamour-cartoon work.
Original artwork and original production backing board are both included.
