RUDY NAPPI
Master Cover Artists No. 4
RUDY NAPPI
Rudolph Joseph Nappi nasce il 12 febbraio 1923 a New York da Sergio Nappi (1892-1969) e Nicoletta (Lilly) Lamanna (1895-1997), entrambi nati in Italia. La coppia ha già avuto una figlia, Rita, nel 1921. Alla metà degli anni Venti i Nappi si sono trasferiti a Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, dove un'altra figlia, Justyn, nasce nel 1926. Un quarto figlio, Joe, muore ancora bambino.
Sergio Nappi ha frequentato la Cooper Union ed è un designer. È lui a trasmettere al figlio il talento e la passione per l'arte.
Nel 1940 i Nappi vivono a Teaneck, New Jersey, dove Rudy frequenta la scuola superiore per quattro anni. Il 1° dicembre 1942 entra in Aviazione e con il grado di Sergente si occupa dell'addestramento delle reclute.
Dopo il congedo, Nappi studia sotto la guida di Frank Reilly alla Art Students League di New York.
Noto in particolare come copertinista di tascabili, tra il 1951 e il 1990 lavora per diversi editori tra i quali Original Novels, Venus, Falcon, Signet, Carnival, Avon, Cameo, Eton, Pyramid, Pocket, Berkley, Lion, MacFadden, Ace, Midwood, Belmont, Tempo e Harlequin. Dal 1953 al 1979, Nappi illustra le copertine per le serie di volumi dedicate a Nancy Drew e The Hardy Boys per Grosset & Dunlap. Tra il 1954 e il 1960 è illustratore e copertinista per vari men's magazines, tra i quali Challenge for Men, Swank, For Men Only e Men. Contribuisce anche alle riviste della EC Comics nel 1956, and produce numerosi biglietti di auguri e calendari per Norcross.
Nappi vive a Downingtown, in Pennsylvania, dal 1993. In quell'anno illustra diversi volumi per la Concordia Publishing House.
Rudolph Joseph Nappi was born on February 12, 1923 in New York to Italian-born Sergio Nappi (1892-1969) and Nicoletta (Lilly) Lamanna (1895-1997). The couple had previously had a daughter, Rita, in 1921. By the mid-twenties the Nappis had moved to Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, where another daughter, Justyn, was born in 1926. Another child, Joe, died as an infant.
Sergio Nappi studied at Cooper Union and worked as a design and pattern maker. He most likely passed his talent and passion for art to his son Rudy.
By 1940 the Nappis were living in the Teaneck Township, New Jersey, where Rudy attended high school for four years. He joined the Air Force on December 1, 1942, and served mainly as a Sergeant training recruits.
Back to civilian life, Nappi studied under Frank Reilly at the Art Students League in New York.
Especially known as as a paperback cover artist, from 1951-90 he worked for publishers including Original Novels, Venus, Falcon, Signet, Carnival, Avon, Cameo, Eton, Pyramid, Pocket, Berkley, Lion, MacFadden, Ace, Midwood, Belmont, Tempo, and Harlequin. From 1953-79, Nappi illustrated the covers to Grosset & Dunlap's Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys mystery book series. From 1956-60 he was a prolific illustrator and cover artist for several men's magazines including Challenge for Men,
Swank, For Men Only, and Men. He also contributed covers to EC Comics magazine line in 1956, and has
produced several greeting cards and calendars for Norcross.
Nappi has been living in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, since 1993. That year he illustrated several books for Concordia Publishing House.
COPERTINE PER RIVISTE A FUMETTI / COMIC MAGAZINE COVERS
Editore/Publisher: EC COMICS
Confessions Illustrated #1, 2 (1956).
Shock Illustrated #2, 3 (1956).
COPERTINE E ILLUSTRAZIONI PER LIBRI / BOOK COVERS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
Editore/Publisher: CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE
The Tree House Kids - Copertine e illustrazioni / Cover art and illustrations
The Biggest Bully in Brookdale (#1, 1992).
It's Not Fair (#2, 1992).
The Richest Kid in the World (#3, 1993).
Nobody's Friend (#4, 1993).
The Great Director (#5, 1993).
Skin Deep (#6, 1993).
Editore/Publisher: GROSSET & DUNLAP
The Hardy Boys' Mysteries - Copertine / Cover art
The Tower Treasure (#1, 1959).
The House On The Cliff (#2, 1959).
The Secret Of The Old Mill (#3, 1960).
The Missing Chums (#4, 1959).
Hunting For Hidden Gold (#5, 1959).
The Shore Road Mystery (#6, 1960).
The Shore Road Mystery (#6, 1964).
The Secret Of The Caves (#7, 1960).
The Mystery Of Cabin Island (#8, 1960).
The Great Airport Mystery (#9, 1959).
What Happened At Midnight (#10, 1967).
While The Clock Ticked (#11, 1962).
Footprints Under The Window (#12, 1965).
The Mark On The Door (#13, 1967).
The Hidden Harbor Mystery (#14, 1962).
The Sinister Sign Post (#15, 1968).
The Secret Warning (#17, 1966).
The Twisted Claw (#18, 1969).
The Mystery of the Flying Express (#20, 1970).
The Clue of the Broken Blade (#21, 1967).
The Clue of the Broken Blade (#21, 1970).
The Flickering Torch Mystery (#22, 1971).
The Melted Coins (#23, 1970).
The Secret Panel (#25, 1969).
The Phantom Freighter (#26, 1970).
The Secret Of Skull Mountain (#27, 1966).
The Sign of the Crooked Arrow (#28, 1970).
The Secret of the Lost Tunnel (#29, 1968).
The Wailing Siren Mystery (#30, 1968).
The Secret Of Wildcat Swamp (#31, 1969).
The Crisscross Shadow (#32, 1953).
The Crisscross Shadow (#32, 1969).
The Yellow Feather Mystery (#33, 1953).
The Yellow Feather Mystery (#33, 1971).
The Hooded Hawk Mystery (#34, 1954).
The Hooded Hawk Mystery (#34, 1971).
The Clue In The Embers (#35, 1955).
The Clue In The Embers (#35, 1972).
The Secret Of Pirates' Hill (#36, 1956).
The Secret Of Pirates' Hill (#36, 1972).
The Ghost At Skeleton Rock (#37, 1957).
The Ghost At Skeleton Rock (#37, 1966).
The Mystery At Devil's Paw (#38, 1959).
The Mystery At Devil's Paw (#38, 1973).
The Mystery Of The Chinese Junk (#39, 1960).
Mystery Of The Desert Giant (#40, 1961).
The Clue Of The Screeching Owl (#41, 1962).
The Viking Symbol Mystery (#42, 1963).
The Mystery Of The Aztec Warrior (#43, 1964).
The Haunted Fort (#44, 1965).
The Mystery Of The Spiral Bridge (#45, 1966).
The Secret Agent On Flight 101 (#46, 1967).
Mystery Of The Whale Tattoo (#47, 1968).
The Arctic Patrol Mystery (#48. 1969).
The Bombay Boomerang (#49, 1970).
Danger On Vampire Trail (#50, 1971).
The Masked Monkey (#51, 1972).
The Shattered Helmet (#52, 1973).
The Clue Of The Hissing Serpent (#53, 1974).
The Mysterious Caravan (#54, 1975).
The Witchmaster's Key (#55, 1976).
The Jungle Pyramid (#56, 1977).
The Firebird Rocket (#57, 1978).
The Sting Of The Scorpion (#58, 1979).
The Hardy Boys Detective Handbook (1959).
The Hardy Boys Detective Handbook (1972).
The Hardy Boys Detective Handbook (1987).
Nancy Drew Mystery Stories - Copertine / Cover art
The Secret of The Old Clock (#1, 1966).
The Hidden Staircase (#2, 1966).
The Bungalow Mystery (#3, 1966).
The Mystery at Lilac Inn (#4, 1962).
The Secret of Shadow Ranch (#5, 1965).
Nancy's Mysterious Letter (#8, 1968).
The Password to Larkspur (#10, 1966).
The Clue of the Broken Locket (#11, 1962).
The Clue of the Broken Locket (#11, 1965).
The Message in the Hollow Oak (#12, 1962)
The Message in the Hollow Oak (#12, 1972)
The Mystery of the Ivory Charm (#13, 1962)
The Mystery of the Ivory Charm (#13, 1974).
The Haunted Bridge (#15, 1962).
The Haunted Bridge (#15, 1972).
The Whispering Statue (#16, 1962).
The Whispering Statue (#16, 1970).
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk (#17, 1962).
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk (#17, 1976).
The Mystery at the Moss-Covered Mansion (#18, 1962).
The Mystery at the Moss-Covered Mansion (#18, 1971).
The Quest of the Missing Map (#19, 1962).
The Quest of the Missing Map (#19, 1969).
The Clue in the Jewel Box (#20, 1962).
The Clue in the Jewel Box (#20, 1972).
The Secret in the Old Attic (#21, 1962).
The Secret in the Old Attic (#21, 1969).
The Clue in the Crumbling Wall (#22, 1962).
The Clue in the Crumbling Wall (#22, 1973).
Mystery of the Tolling Bell (#23, 1966).
Mystery of the Tolling Bell (#23, 1973).
The Clue in the Old Album (#24, 1966).
The Clue in the Old Album (#24, 1977).
The Ghost of Blackwood Hall (#25, 1967).
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney (#26, 1962).
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney (#26, 1967).
The Secret of the Wooden Lady (#27, 1967).
The Clue of the Black Keys (#28, 1968).
The Mystery at the Ski Jump (#29, 1969).
The Clue of the Velvet Mask (#30, 1962).
The Clue of the Velvet Mask (#30, 1969).
The Ringmaster's Secret (#31, 1962).
The Ringmaster's Secret (#31, 1974).
The Scarlet Slipper Mystery (#32, 1962).
The Scarlet Slipper Mystery (#32, 1974).
The Witch Tree Symbol (#33, 1962).
The Witch Tree Symbol (#33, 1975).
The Hidden Window Mystery (#34, 1962).
The Hidden Window Mystery (#34, 1975).
The Haunted Showboat (#35, 1962).
The Secret of the Golden Pavilion (#36, 1962).
The Clue in the Old Stagecoach (#37, 1962).
The Mystery of the Fire Dragon (#38, 1962).
The Clue of the Dancing Puppet (#39, 1962).
The Moonstone Castle (#40, 1963).
The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes (#41, 1964).
The Phantom of Pine Hill (#42, 1965).
The Mystery of the 99 Steps (#43, 1966).
The Clue in the Crossword Cipher (#44, 1967).
The Spider Sapphire Mystery (#45, 1968).
The Invisible Intruder (#46, 1969).
The Mysterious Mannequin (#47, 1970).
The Crooked Banister (#48, 1971).
The Secret of Mirror Bay (#49, 1972).
The Double Jinx Mystery (#50, 1973).
Mystery of the Glowing Eye (#51, 1974).
The Secret of the Forgotten City (#52, 1975).
The Sky Phantom (#53, 1976).
The Strange Message in the Parchment (#54, 1977).
Mystery of Crocodile Island (#55, 1978).
The Thirteenth Pearl (#56, 1979).
Editore/Publisher: WANDERER BOOKS
The Grinning Gargoyle Mystery (1986) - Illustrazioni / Illustrations.
ILLUSTRAZIONI PER RIVISTE / MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATIONS
Editore/Publisher: AIMAT
Challenge for Men - Illustrazioni / Illustrations 07/1958, 09/1958.
Editore/Publisher: ATLAS
Adventure Life - Illustrazioni / Illustrations 03/1959.
Bachelor - Illustrazioni / Illustrations 11/1958.
Swank - Illustrazioni /Illustrations 08/1956, 12/1958, 02/1959, 04/1959, 06/1959, 08/1959.
Editore/Publisher: DETECTIVE HOUSE, INC.
Special Detective True Crime Cases - Copertina / Cover art 10/1951.
Editore/Publisher: HANRO
Men in Combat - Copertina / Cover art 01/1957.
Editore/Publisher: LITERARY ENTERPRISES
Real - Illustrazioni / Illustrations 05/1954.
Editore/Publisher: MALE
Male - Illustrazioni / Illustrations 02/1957, 11/1957.
Sportsman - Illustrazioni / Illustrations c.1953-59.
Editore/Publisher: NEWSSTAND PUBLICATIONS
Battlefield - Illustrazioni / Illustrations c.1957-59.
For Men Only - Illustrazioni / Illustrations 11/1956, 04/1958, 08/1958, 09/1958, 11/1959, 01/1960, 02/1960, 05/1960, 07/1960.
Editore/Publisher: MEDALION/OFFICIAL MAGAZINES/OLYMPIA
Man's World - Copertina / Cover art 10/1960; Illustrazioni / Illustrations c.1955-59.
Editore/Publisher: OFFICIAL MAGAZINES
Stag - Illustrazioni / Illustrations 06/1956, 04/1960.
Editore/Publisher: OUTDOOR LIFE
Outdoor Life - Illustrazioni / Illustrations 04/1954.
Editore/Publisher: SIMON & SCHUSTER
The Real Ghostbusters - Copertine e illustrazioni / Cover art and illustrations Hot Air Heroes (#6, 1987).
Editore/Publisher: SKYE PUBLICATIONS
BestTrue Fact Detective - Copertina / Cover art 09/1953.Editore/Publisher: ZENITH PUBLICATIONS
Men - Illustrazioni / Illustrations 09/1956, 01/1959.
COPERTINE PER TASCABILI / PAPERBACK AND DIGEST COVERS
Editore/Publisher: ACE
Barbara Ames, Private Secretary (#F-112, 1961).
Backwater Woman (#S-219, 1956).
Cornered / Free-lance Murder (#D-305, 1958).
D for Delinquent (#D-270, 1957).Dr. Barry's Nurse (1968).
Doctor Ellen (#F-163, 1962).
Four-Year Hitch (#D-487, 1961).
The Guilty Bystander (D-349, 1959).
Hollywood Nurse (#D-552, 1962).
House of Deceit (#S-124, 1955).
The Lady and the Snake/Nothing To Lose But My Life (#D-235, 1957).
A Lonely Walk / Loser By a Head (#D-225, 1957).
The Magnate (#D-246, 1957).
Man-Killer (#469, 1960).
The Man With Three Faces (#D-319, 1958).
One Deadly Dawn / The Hired Target (#D241, 1957).
A Price for Nurse Darci (#F-341, 1965).
Psychiatric Nurse (#D-539, 1962).
Runaway Nurse (#D-554,1962).
Running Scared (#D-469, 1960).
School Nurse (#D-540, 1962).
The Terrible Swift Sword (#D-250, 1957).
Unappointed Rounds (#G-529, 1965).
Weep for a Wanton (#D-189, 1956).
Editore/Publisher: ACE TEMPO
Arabian Nights (#16984-3, 1982).Editore/Publisher: AVON
Follow the Saint (#533, 1953).
Murder in Baracoa (#403, 1952; D-802, 1958)
Running Scared (#D-469, 1952).
Scratch the Surface (#520, 1953).
Vice-Squad Cop (#763, 1957).
Yesterday's Love (#475, 1952).
Editore/Publisher: BEACON
Sheba (#B211, 1959).
Editore/Publisher: BEDSIDE BOOKS
Suburban Affair (#961, 1960).
Editore/Publisher: BELMONT
The Bedroom Bolero (#L90-276, 1962).
Lulie (#L92-550, 1962).
Editore/Publisher: BERKLEY BOOKS
The First Lady Chatterley (#BG-150, 1958).
If He Hollers Let Him Go (#G-139, 1958).
Intimacy (#G-30, 1956).
Island at the End of the World (#G437, 1960).
Jungle Fury (#G-16, 1955).
Martha Crane (#G-83, 1957).
Messalina (G-14, 1955).
The Odd Ones (#G245, 1959).
Only a Woman (#337, 1955).
The Place of Jackals (#G-23, 1956).
The Postman (#G-194, 1958).
Salambo (#G-5, 1955).
Song of Penang (#D2042, 1960).
South Street (#G-4, 1955).
Street of the Lost (#D2031, 1960).
Take Me As I Am (#G-57, 1957).
Walk the Evil Street (#D2028, 1971).
Editore/Publisher: CAMEO
Girl of the Midway (#320, 1951).
Naughty Blonde (#304, 1951).
Reefer Girl (#330, 1953).
Editore/Publisher: CARDINAL EDITIONS
The Strange Brigade (#C-137, 1954).Boy Hungry (#951, 1954).
1954).Girl-Hungry (#908, 1952).
Girl of the Slums (#914, 1953).
Editore/Publisher: CROYDON
Sinner (Life of Passion) (#103, 1955).Editore/Publisher: DIGIT BOOKS
The Big Rumble (R-360, 195?).
The Violent Ones (#R-345, 195?).
Editore/Publisher: ETON
Gunfighter (#E125, 1953).
Queer Patterns (#E121, 1952).
Editore/Publisher: EXOTIC NOVEL
Man Crazy (#15, 1951).
Editore/Publisher: FALCON MYSTERY
Dagger of Flesh (#130, 1952).
The Long Night (#42, 1952). 
Editore/Publisher: HARLEQUIN
No Gentle Encounters (1990).
Editore/Publisher: LION BOOKS
Gunsight (#163, 1953).
Luther (#114, 1953).
The Sleeper (#LB 171, 1957).Editore/Publisher: MACFADDEN
Nurse Hilary (#35-125, 1958).
Editore/Publisher: MB INTIMATE EDITION
Love-Starved Hellcat (#302, 1959).Editore/Publisher: MIDWOOD
Apprentice Virgin (#149, 1962).
Backstage Love (#17, 1959).
The Oucasts (#F134, 1961).
The Weekend (#92, 1961).
Editore/Publisher: ORIGINAL NOVELS
Backwoods Hussy (#723, 1952).
French Alley (#746, 1954).
Gambler's Girl (#704, 1951).
Gang Moll (#709, 1952).
Scarlet Lil (#706, 1951).
Editore/Publisher: POCKET BOOKS
Last Seen Wearing (#988, 1954).
Up for Grabs (#4937-8, 1983) [Faro Blake #31].
Editore/Publisher: PYRAMID
Chinese Lover (#85, 1953).
The Daughter (#G295, 1957).
Divorcees (#F750, 1962).
The Future Mister Dolan (#G197, 1956).
The Hand of Fu-Manchu (#F-688, 1962).
Town Quarry (#G521, 1960).
The Wanton Hour (#174, 1955).
The Young Nurses (#F-680, 1961).Editore/Publisher: SIGNET BOOKS
Only the Dead Know Brooklyn (#950, 1952).
Editore/Publisher: SILHOUETTE DESIRE
Matchmaker's Moon (1985).Editore/Publisher: SIMON AND SCHUSTER
The Bobbsey Twins: The Grinning Gargoyle Mystery(#14, 1986).
Editore/Publisher: TEMPO BOOKS
The Ghost in the Swing (#5710, 1974).
Editore / Publisher: VENUS BOOKS
Cabin Hostess (#196, 1952).
Cutie (#108, 1950).
The Doctor's Wife (#156, 1953).
Farmer's Woman (#172, 1954).
The Men She Knew (#130, 1951).
Private Nurse (#163, 1954).
She Had What It Takes (#128, 1951).
She Tried to Be Good (#133, 1951).
Strip Street (#169, 1954).
Tough Doll (#131, 1951).
Women's Doctor (#157, 1953) [also #189].ILLUSTRAZIONI PER BIGLIETTI AUGURALI E CLENDARI / GREETING CARD AND CALENDAR ILLUSTRATIONS
Editore / Publisher: NORCROSS
A Picture of Halloween.
Santa in a Sleigh.
Santa and Boy on Sled.
World of Sports Calendar.