The graphics here solve a more subtle problem: How to be
snobbish—but still hip. Blatant snob appeal, as in the
Cadillac ads of the 1950's, runs very much against the grain
of contemporary hipness. The solution? The artist here
revives, and parodies, an early 1900's modification of the
influences (Oriental and otherwise) that show up in the
work of Beardsley, Mucha. Toulouse-Lautrec, Art Nouveau
generally and the Die Jugend and Simplicissimus school of
caricature. In the hands of a man like Olaf Gulbransson, for
example, the style eventually took on a slightly severe
elegance (through the use of perpendiculars, etc.). The artist
parodies this by-gone version of elegance. . . and potential
Rover lovers, who are presumably hip, get the full voltage
of the snob's love of such a car. . . but with the curse
removed. ("See? This isn't snobbery. We're just having
fun.")                                     -Tom WoIfe

As evocative of the past as this "Rover" piece looks, you
cannot find Its duplicate in your oldies file. The
controlled graphic style makes it work today. The same
can be said of the "Good-bye To All That" poster (105).

—Gene Federico