The Frank Kalan Romance Cover Art Collection

In December 2017, the Browne Popular Culture Library received 130 original oil paintings by commercial artist Frank Kalan, donated by his family. The paintings represent a period during the 1980s and 1990s when Mr. Kalan worked as a cover illustrator for romance novels produced primarily by Harlequin Enterprises. In addition to the paintings, the collection includes paperwork showing the direction Kalan received from the publisher, reference photographs used to create the paintings, and cover mockups created from the paintings.

The Frank Kalan Collection provides researchers with the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the most important elements of romance novel marketing- the cover. In addition, the BPCL already holds copies of many of the books created from Mr. Kalan’s work. The ability to consider this particular combination of creative process and published product is unique among academic archives, and will be a tremendous resource for scholars of romance fiction, one of the fastest growing aspects of popular culture research.

Romance fiction generates more than $1 billion in revenue annually for the publishing industry, with thousands of new titles published each year. That such a massive economic engine is created primarily by women, for women makes it an important area of study for students of gender, business, and literature alike.

In keeping with its mission to both collect and share popular culture, the BPCL will also work to actively display the artworks for the public to enjoy. The Browne Popular Culture Library is grateful to the Kalan family for its generous donation, and is happy to be able to preserve and provide access to this important resource.

Additional information about Frank Kalan and his work.

Inventory
Title	Author	Year	Book Call Number (if avail.)	Painting Size	Paperwork?
A Husband Made in Texas	Carter, Rosemary	1997		12 x 18	Yes
A Killing in Quail County	Cole, Jameson	1997	pop PS3553 O47285 K55 1997	18.5 x 29	Yes
A Lake in Kyoto	Lewty, Marjorie	1985		11 x 15	Yes
A Man Untamed	Arthur, Katherine	1990		11.5 x 19	Yes
A Most Determined Bachelor	Macgregor, Miriam	1998		13 x 20	Yes
A Place Called Rambulara	Way, Margaret	1984	pop PN6701 L7 H37 no. 2658	9.5 x 13.5	Yes
A Rooted Sorrow	West, Nicola	1985		9 x 12	Yes
A Second Loving	Jameson, Claudia	1989	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2099	12 x 18	Yes
A Time To Grow	Jameson, Claudia	1985		9.5 x 12.5	Yes
A Warning of Magic	Kingston, Kate	1993		12 x 18	Yes
Always Christmas	Rutland, Eva	1992	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3240	11 x 17	Yes
Amaryllis Dreaming	Harvey, Samantha	1985		9 x 12	Yes
Bittersweet Honeymoon	Lewty, Marjorie	1988	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2985	13 x 19	Yes
Bluebells On The Hill	McMahon, Barbara	1986		9.5 x 12.5	Yes
Breaking the Ice	Gregory, Kay	1990	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3206	11 x 16.5	Yes
Brides for Brothers	Macomber, Debbie	1985	pop PS3563 A2364 B741555 1998	13 x 20	Yes
Call Back The Past	MacLeod, Jean	1988		11 x 17	Yes
Call of the Mountain	MacGregor, Miriam	1986		10 x 13.5	Yes
Charlie's Dad	Scott, Alexandra	1997		11.5 x 19	Yes
Christmas Angel	Beverly, Jo	1993	pop PR9199.3 B424 C5 1992	11.5 x 18	Yes
Colours of Love	Henaghan, Rosalie	1993		19 x 27	Yes
Contrasts	Kirby, Rowan	1986		9.5 x 12.5	Yes
Daddy's Little Helper	Macomber, Debbie	1995	pop PS3563 A2364 D31555 1998	13 x 19	Yes
Deck The Halls	Allison, Heather	1990	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3091	11.5 x 18	Yes
Denial of Love	Kemp, Shirley	1992		12 x 19	Yes
Desert Rose	May, Wynne	1993	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3273	12 x 18	Yes
Distant Shadows	York, Alison	1992		11.5 x 18	Yes
Every Kind of Heaven	Campbell, Bethany	1991	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3163	10 x 15.5	Yes
Family Secrets	Michaels, Leigh	1994	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3324	11.5 x 18.5	Yes
Fiance for Christmas	George, Catherine	1998		12 x 20	Yes
Firm Commitment	Denton, Kate	1991	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3123	11.5 x 18	Yes
Flirtation River	Campbell, Bethany	1988	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2911	13 x 18	Yes
Force Field	Donnelly, Jane	1986	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2871	11 x 15	No
Foreign Affair	Rutland, Eva	1992	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3283	16 x 25.5	Yes
Forgive And Forget	Sinclair, Tracy	1987		11 x 18	Yes
Found: One Father	Waverly, Shannon	1996		13 x 19	Yes
From This Day Forward	Marton, Sandra	1985	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 1308	9 x 13	Yes
Frozen Enchantment	Steele, Jessica	1989	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3065	11 x 15.5	Yes
Fully Involved	Winters, Rebecca	1990	pop PN6017 L7 H37 no. 3047	11.5 x 18	Yes
Greek Island Magic	Bevan, Gloria	1984	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2618	10 x 14	Yes
He Was The Stranger	Strutt, Sheila	1986		9 x 12	Yes
Heart of Marble	Dawson, Helena	1988	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3007	12 x 16	Yes
Hijacked Honeymoon	Lennox, Marion	1997		12 x 20	Yes
Hitched: A Ranch, a Ring and Everything	Daniels, Val	1996	pop PN6071.L7 H37 no.3418	12.5 x 19	No
Home For Christmas	James, Ellen	1993		11.5 x 18	Yes
House of Mirrors	Whittal, Yvonne	1983	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2538	9.5 x 15	No
Impossible Inheritance	Murray, Annabel	1990	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 98	11.5 x 18	Yes
In Pursuit of Love	Bauling, Jayne	1995		10 x 16.5	Yes
Island of Love	Hammond, Rosemary	1992		10 x 17.5	Yes
Ivy's League	Allison, Heather	1993	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3269	12 x 20	Yes
Jungle Antagonist	Gair, Diana	1982	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2530	9.5 x 15.5	Yes
Lake Haupiri Moon	Moore, Mary	1983		10.5 x 15	Yes
Last Chance Marriage	Gibson, Rosemary	1997		12 x 19	Yes
Legacy of Shadows	Lennox, Marion	1994		11 x 18	Yes
Living Next Door to Alex	George, Catherine	1996		12 x 20	Yes
Love Comes Stealing	Scott, Alexandra	1983	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2585	11 x 17	Yes
Love Is the Answer	Hammond, Rosemary	1993		11.5 x 18	Yes
Love or Money	Hart, Virginia	1991	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3135	10.5 x 16	Yes
Love's Harbor	James, Ellen	1991	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3154	12 x 18	Yes
Maelstrom	Cooper, Ann	1984	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2630	10 x 14	Yes
Mail-Order Bridegroom	Leclaire, Day	1994	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3361	12 x 19	Yes
Man of Stone	Roding, Frances	1987	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 1163	13.5 x 17.5	Yes
Master of Namangilla	Daveson, Mons	1990	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 103	10.5 x 15	Yes
Moreton's Kingdom	MacLeod, Jean	1982	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2553	9.5 x 15	Yes
New Discovery	Ayre, Jessica	1984		9.5 x 14	Yes
New Lease on Love	Waverly, Shannon	1991	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3204	12 x 18	Yes
Night Of The Spring Moon	Hart, Virginia	1987		15 x 19.5	Yes
No Going Back	Howard, Stephanie	1993		10 x 15.5	Yes
No Love in Return	Barnes, Elizabeth	1989	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2972	13 x 18	No
No Ties	Gibson, Rosemary	1995		12 x 9	No
No Title - Red Sky Embrace w/ Palm Tree	Unknown			9.5 x 15	No
Not Part of the Bargain	Fox, Susan	1989	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2983	11.5 x 15.5	Yes
Once for All Time	Neels, Betty	1984		9.5 x 12.5	Yes
Once Upon A Wedding	Riggs, Paula Detmer	1993	pop PN6071 L7 S54 no. 524	17.5 x 18	Yes
One Reckless Moment	Allan, Jeanne	1988	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2989	12 x 15.5	Yes
Only A Woman	Campbell, Bethany	1988		9 x 12	Yes
Only My Dreams	Kirby, Rowan	1987	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2960	13.5 x 18	Yes
Outback Bride	Hart, Jessica	1996		12 x 19	Yes
Passion's Vine	Graham, Elizabeth	1985		10 x 12.5	Yes
Place For The Heart	Leigh, Catherine	1989	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3075	10 x 16	Yes
Playing for Keeps	Hammond, Rosemary	1994		12 x 20	Yes
Preview of Paradise	Sinclair, Tracy	1986	pop PN6071 L7 S57 no. 309	19 x 14.5	No
Ready for Romance	Macomber, Debbie	1993	pop PN6071 H37 no. 3032	15.5 x 23	Yes
Red Hot Pepper	Denny, Roz	1990	pop PN6071.L7 H37 no. 3032	12.5 x 18	Yes
Ride a Wild Horse	Donnelly, Jane	1985		9 x 12	Yes
Rites of Love	Winters, Rebecca	1990	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3120	11.5 x 19	Yes
Road to Love	Arthur, Katherine	1986		13.5 x 18	Yes
Season of Forgetfulness	Summers, Essie	1983	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2645	9 x 13.5	Yes
Secret Fire	Winspear, Violet	1984		9.5 x 13	Yes
Secret Wedding	Richmond, Emma	1996		11.5 x 18.5	Yes
Send in the Clown	Knoll, Patricia	1989	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3002	13.5 x 18	Yes
Send Me No Flowers	Arthur, Katherine	1987	pop PN 6071 L7 H37 no. 2948	12 x 16	Yes
Separate Lives	Jantz, Caroline	1986	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2793	9 x 12	Yes
Shadow of a Tiger	Donnelly, Jane	1993		11.5 x 18.5	Yes
Sight of a Stranger	Field, Sandra	1981	pop PN6071 L7 M5 no. 1869; pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2480	15 x 17.5	Yes
Silver Bells	Daniels, Val	1990	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3092	11 x 18	Yes
Stone Angel	Brooks, Helen	1992		10 x 15.5	Yes
Strictly Business	Michaels, Leigh	1986	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2951	13.5 x 18.5	Yes
Sweet Vixen	Napier, Susan	1983		9 x 12.5	Yes
Taming a Husband	Wallington, Vivienne	1996		13.5 x 18.5	Yes
Tarik's Mountain	Janes, Dana	1987	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2926	11 x 15	Yes
Temporary Arrangement	Waverly, Shannon	1993	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3259	16 x 25.5	Yes
Temporary Paragon	Goldrick, Emma	1986	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2889	11 x 15	Yes
That Man From Texas	Wilder, Quinn	1985		9 x 12.5	Yes
The Apollo Man	MacLeod, Jean	1987		11 x 15	Yes
The Chain of Destiny	Neels, Betty	1988	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no.3053	11.5 x 16	No
The Cinderella Coach	Denny, Roz	1992	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3169	13.5 x 20	Yes
The Diamond Trap	Campbell, Bethany	1988	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2522	13 x 18	No
The Games People Play	Hadley, Liza	1989	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 88	10 x 16	No
The Heron Quest	Lamb, Charlotte	1986		9.5 x 12.5	Yes
The Long Way Home	Campbell, Bethany	1987		9.5 x 13	Yes
The Matchmaking Department	McKeone, Dixie	1985	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2722	9.5 x 12	Yes
The Only Solution	Michaels, Leigh	1994	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3337	11.5 x 18	Yes
The Passion and The Pain	Absalom, Stacy	1984		9.5 x 12.5	Yes
The Real Fantasy	Anderson, Caroline	1996		12 x 19	Yes
The Santa Sleuth	Allison, Heather	1993	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3341	12 x 18	Yes
The Singing Tree	Weale, Anne	1992		12 x 18	Yes
The Tiger's Cage	Way, Margaret	1996		9 x 12	Yes
The Turn of the Tide	Day, Samantha	1984		10 x 13	Yes
Tidal Wave	MacLeod, Jean	1990		10 x 15	Yes
Trouble in Paradise	Green, Grace	1996		12 x 18	Yes
Turquoise Heart	James, Ellen	1990	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 3069	10 x 15.5	Yes
Valley of Gentians	Rome, Margaret	1982	pop PN6071 L7 m5 no. 1909; pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2513	9 x 15	Yes
Verdict: Parenthood	McBride, Julie	1997	pop PN6071.L7 H323 no.699	14.5 x 17.5	Yes
Walk Into Tomorrow	Carter, Rosemary	1985	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2816	9 x 12	Yes
Web of Fate	Dawson, Helena	1991		11 x 18.5	Yes
Wild For To Hold	Murray, Annabel	1985		9 x 12	Yes
Wildtrack	West, Nicola	1983	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2610	11.5 x 18.5	No
Winter Stranger, Summer Lover	McMahon, Barbara	1986	pop PN6071 L7 H37 no. 2895	12 x 16	Yes
Winter Sunlight	Alexander, Susan	1986	pop PN6071 L7 H38 no. 1031	11.5 x 15	Yes

Updated: 06/05/2023 09:21AM