Jacobs, Elmer, 1900-

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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.

From the description of Elmer Jacobs papers, 1925-1982. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 27912031

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Jacobs, Elmer, 1900-. Elmer Jacobs papers, 1925-1982. Newberry Library
creatorOf American Artists Group records Archives of American Art
referencedIn Cheever, Lawrence Oakley, 1907-1974. Papers, 1931-1966. University of Iowa Libraries
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith 27 Chicago Designers (Association) corporateBody
associatedWith American Artists Group. corporateBody
associatedWith American Bible Society. corporateBody
associatedWith Caterpillar Tractor Company. corporateBody
correspondedWith Cheever, Lawrence Oakley, 1907-1974. person
associatedWith Encyclopaedia Britannica, inc. corporateBody
associatedWith Higdon, Hal. person
associatedWith John Morrell & Co. corporateBody
associatedWith Nichols, Dale, 1904- person
associatedWith Phoenix Metal Cap Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Rand McNally and Company. corporateBody
associatedWith R.R. Donnelley and Sons Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Tribune Company. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Illinois--Chicago
Subject
Commercial art
Designers
Illustrators
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1900

Information

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