Jacobs, Elmer, 1900-

Chicago illustrator and graphic designer 1920's-1970's.

Born in Streator, Illinois, between 1900-1902, he was largely self-taught. From the late 1930's onward he was much influenced by the New Bauhaus, also known as the School of Design in Chicago. A free-lance artist, Jacobs' most visible clients were John Morrell & Co., Chicago Tribune, R.R. Donnelly & Sons, and Rand McNally & Co. From 1940-1952, he illustrated the award winning Phoenix Flame, a house organ turned promotional magazine for the Phoenix Metal Cap Co. His memberships include 27 Chicago Designers (charter member, 1939-1982), Nine Illustrators (ca. 1948-1970?), and the Society of Typographic Arts (1936-1981). He won over forty awards, including the Carey-Thomas Award for creative publishing in 1950, the Direct Mail Advertising Bronze Award, and the 1953 Christmas Seal competition. Jacobs was an active public speaker and contest judge.

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