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Home Town Born Weatherford, OK. Raised in Manitowoc, Wis.
Last Address Died in Menlo Park, Calif. He was 81 years old.
Date of Passing Apr 27, 1988
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LT. Jon Whitcomb WWII Combat Artist
(1906 - 1988)
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.
Other Comments:
1924-1926, Ohio Wesleyan University
FromYear 1924
ToYear 1926
College Ohio Wesleyan University
Major Undergraduate studies, English Major
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Ohio Wesleyan University Details
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Last Updated:Dec 3, 2011
Personal Memories
Other Memories Jon was born in Weatherford, Oklahoma, and reared in Manitowic, Wisconsin. He attended Ohio Wessleyan University and was graduated from Ohio State where he did pictures for the school publications and worked during the summer painting posters for a theater in Cleveland.
This was excellent training ground for Whitcomb. Although he had majored in English with an ambition to write, Jon switched to art classes. After graduation he was able to obtain work in a series of studios doing travel and theater posters, as well as general advertising illustrations.