'''Rea Irvin''' (August 26, 1881—May1881 – May 28, 1972) was an American graphic artist. Although never formally credited as such, he served [[de facto]] as the first art editor of ''[[The New Yorker]]''. He created the [[The New Yorker#Eustace Tilley|Eustace Tilley]] cover portrait and the ''New Yorker'' [[typeface]]. He first drew Tilley for the cover of the magazine's first issue on February 21, 1925. Tilley appeared annually on the magazine's cover every February until 1994.<ref>Dewan, Shaila K., et al. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D02E0D71430F936A25751C0A9679C8B63&scp=1&sq=%22Rea+Irvin%22 "PUBLIC LIVES"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 15, 2001. Accessed January 14, 2008. "Although no substantiation is offered for HENDRIK HERTZBERG'S claim on The New Yorker's new Web site that EUSTACE TILLEY, the persnickety snob created by REA IRVIN, is ''one of the most successful and recognizable corporate trademarks in the history of hype,'' Mr. Tilley does have a lengthy curriculum vitae. He appeared on The New Yorker's first cover on Feb. 21, 1925, and each February thereafter until 1994."</ref><ref>[http://www.newyorker.com/online/covers/slideshow_tilleycovers The Many Faces of Eustace Tilley] ''The New Yorker''.</ref> As one commentator has written, "a truly modern bon vivant, Irvin (1881–1972) was also a keen appreciator of the century of his birth. His high regard for both the careful artistry of the past and the gleam of the modern metropolis shines from the very first issue of the magazine ..."<ref name=autogenerated4>[http://www.printmag.com/article/everybody_loves_rea_irvin Everybody Loves Rea Irvin] ''PRINT Magazine''.</ref>
[[File:1867-1917-NewYearReaIrvin.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Cartoon for New Year 1917 caricatures how the holiday was noted 50 years earlier contrasted with contemporary celebrations]]