WHITCOMB, Jon, LT

Gained long-lived popularity for capturing couples in love for Community Plate Silver and covers for Cosmopolitan. Also had his own Cosmo column, "On Location with Jon Whitcomb," which he took over from Bradshaw Crandell. WWII service, first as a LTjg on a mine sweeper, then as a war artist (invasions of Tinian, Saipan, Peleliu). A skilled draftsman, he could capture cars and aircraft as well as a pretty face. Other story and cover work for slicks as diverse as Good Housekeeping, Collier's, McCall's, and Playboy. Other writing included short stories, children's books about poodles (Coco and Pom Pom's Christmas) and a book for glamour, All About Girls.


During World War II Whitcomb, at the age of 37, was commissioned a Lieutenant (jg) in the United States Navy.  He made a series of illustrations for advertisements he created on the theme, "Back Home for Keeps," became a pin-up fad for women deprived of their husbands or sweethearts. His assignments varied from mine-sweeping duty to off the East coast, to the Public Relations Department in Washington, to the Pacific as a combat artist with the invasions of Tinian, Saipan, and Peleliu. After hospitalization for tropical infections, he was discharged in 1945 and resumed his art career.

After the war Whitcomb produced a series of articles and sketches about Hollywood stars for Cosmopolitan, called “On Location with Jon Whitcomb”. He continued to produce story illustrations and covers for magazines, including McCall’s and Playboy. He wrote some short stories, two children’s books, Coco, and Pom Pom’s Christmas, and a book on glamour, All About Girls. He was one of the founding faculty of the Famous Artists School.