Paul Laune

Paul Sidney Laune (1899 in Woodward, Oklahoma – 1977) was a writer, painter and illustrator, known for his book covers and for paintings he did of rural Western U.S. pioneer scenes. He covered pioneers, ranch-life, quarter horses in his paintings. He painted five murals for the Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum in his hometown of Woodward, Oklahoma.

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Laune worked as an illustrator and art critic in New York. He also lived in Phoenix, Arizona, where he drew quarter horses and wrote a book on them.

Among the more famous works he illustrated, were books in the Hardy Boys Mystery Series.

Works The Forgotten Books Of Eden. Illustrations, 1930. The Secret Warning. Hardy Boys Mystery Series, illustrations, 1938 The Thirsty Pony, author, cover art and illustrations, 1940 The Clue of the Broken Blade. Hardy Boys Mystery Series #21, illustrator, 1942 The Flickering Torch Mystery. Hardy Boys Mystery Series #22, illustrator Toil of the Brave by Inglis Fletcher, dust jacket art, 1946 The Mustang Roundup, author Bennett's Welcome by Inglis Fletcher, dust jacket art, 1950 Queen's Gift by Inglis Fletcher, dust jacket art, 1952 The Silver Chalice, illustrations, 1952 Southwest, John Houghton Allen, 1952 Wicked Lady by Inglis Fletcher, dust jacket art, 1962 When the Legends Die, book cover, 1963 America's Quarter Horses, author, 1977