Armitage, Merle, 1893-1975

Merle Armitage was born in 1893 on a farm outside Mason City, Iowa. He had many jobs over the years, beginning as a train engineer before taking a job as a graphic designer for the Packard Motor Car Company. His next career was as a set designer for New York theaters, which later turned into a long stint in the theater promotion business. Armitage also managed various performers and their concert tours. He co-founded the Los Angeles Grand Opera Association and was its business manager, and also managed the Los Angeles Philharmonic auditorium from 1933 to 1939. In addition to his theater work, Armitage was involved with writing and designing books, as well as serving as the art director for various magazines (including 'Quick' and 'Look'). Over one hundred books are attributed to him. He was also the president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Merle Armitage died March 15, 1975.

Merle Armitage was born in 1893 in Mason City, Iowa. He worked in New York City and Los Angeles, Calif. In 1932, Armitage began to write, design, and produce books. In total, he designed, wrote forwards to, and produced more than 150 books pertaining to subjects including Igor Stravinsky, Edward Weston, Martha Grapam, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, George Gershwin, Stella Dysart, the U.S. Navy, and Santa Fe. Other published works include essays on art and catalogs for art exhibitions. Armitage died in 1975.

American author, publisher, book designer, graphic artist, and impresario.

Book designer, impresario, author, and art director.

Merle Armitage was an American author, publisher, book designer, graphic artist, and impresario.

Merle Armitage, b. 1893; d. 1975, Art administrator, graphic artist of Santa Fe, N.M.

Born 1893 in Mason City, Iowa. Worked in New York City and Los Angeles, Calif. In 1932, Armitage began to write, design, and produce books. In total, he designed, wrote forwards to, and produced more than 150 books pertaining to subjects including Igor Stravinsky, Edward Weston, Martha Grapam, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, George Gershwin, Stella Dysart, the U.S. Navy, and Santa Fe. Other published works include essays on art and catalogs for art exhibitions. Died 1975.

Art administrator, graphic artist; Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Editor.

Biography

Merle Armitage was born in 1893 on a farm outside Mason City, Iowa. He had many jobs over the years, but began his career as an engineer on the Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient Railroad (later the Santa Fe Railroad, and now the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway). He later took a job as a graphic designer for the Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit.

His next career was as a set designer for New York theaters, which later turned into a long stint in the theater promotion business. Armitage also managed various performers and their concert tours. In 1924, he co-founded the Los Angeles Grand Opera Association and was its business manager for eight seasons. He then managed the Los Angeles Philharmonic auditorium, from 1933 to 1939, where he oversaw production of various plays and operas.

In addition to his theater work, Armitage was involved with writing and designing books, as well as serving as the art director for various magazines (including 'Quick' and 'Look'). Over one hundred books are attributed to him. He had a short career in the Army Air Forces, working in the Material Center, and was a regional chairman for the Public Works of Art project during the Depression. In 1951, he was the president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts.

Merle Armitage married four times and eventually retired to Yucca Valley, California, to a ranch he called Manzanita Ranch. He died March 15, 1975.

George Mason, Stella Dysart and Merle Armitage discussing the manuscript of "Stella Dysart of Ambrosia Lake." Part of the Merle Armitage Papers MSS 173 BC (Box 3, Folder 4).

Merle Armitage was born February 12, 1893 in Mason City, Iowa. He began collecting art at age 12, making payments on drawings, lithographs, and etchings from his weekly allowance. He remained an art collector for most of his life, and was acquainted with artists such as Picasso, Paul Klee, Kandinsky, and Chagall on "informal and private terms."

Armitage began his working career as a civil engineer, and later entered the theatre as a set and costume designer. He was an American impresario in the New York City area until 1921 when he transferred his activities to the Los Angeles area. Among his many accomplishments, Armitage served as director of American publicity for the Diaghilev Ballet Russe (1915), founder and general manager of the Los Angeles Grand Opera Association (1924-1930), manager of the Philharmonic Auditorium (1933-1939), and in the 1930's, he sponsored performances of the Ballet Caravan and the Martha Graham Dance Company. During this time, he began designing his own posters and programs to attract audiences to his performances.

In 1932, Armitage began to write, design, and produce books. In total, he designed, wrote forwards to, and produced more than 150 books pertaining to subjects including Igor Stravinsky, Edward Weston, Martha Graham, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, George Gershwin, Stella Dysart, the U.S. Navy, and Santa Fe. Other published works include essays on art and catalogs for art exhibitions.

Armitage was editorial and art director for Look magazine. He was president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (1950-1951). His awards include the Legion of Merit for service in the Army Air Force; the Cordon Bleu of the Wine and Food Society; and the Industrial Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects. He died of a stroke on March 15, 1975.