Earle K. Bergey expanding paperback book industry along with skilled pulp artists like Rudolph Belarski, whose work is often confused with Bergey's. While continuing to paint pulp covers until his death, Bergey sold illustrations to at least four (4) leading paperback publishing houses, including Popular Library and Pocket Books. His art graced the covers of dozens of novels and helped to sell millions of volumes. His paperback cover illustrations were as diverse as his work for the pulps. In addition to his work on Anita Loos' famous "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", Bergey painted cover art for well-known authors from Émile Zola to the Western
But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes Blondes". Both books began as sketch series originally published in "Harper's Bazaar" magazine. Loos had planned on retiring after writing "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" in order to care for her partner, John Emerson. However, she had promised "Harper's Bazaar" a sequel, so Loos and Emerson did not leave for Europe until shortly after the sequel had been published. The sequel to "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" is also narrated by Lorelei, the bubbly blonde; however, she tells the tale of her friend, Dorothy, a bright talented young woman who grew up in a carnival company; she is discovered by Charlie, who helps her