Jefferson Machamer
American cartoonist and illustrator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas Jefferson Machamer (1900 – August 15, 1960[1]) was an American cartoonist and illustrator known especially for his drawings of glamorous women. He also wrote and acted in a series of short comedy films in the 1930s.
Jefferson Machamer | |
|---|---|
Machamer c. 1946 | |
| Born | 1900 Western Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | August 15, 1960 (aged 59–60) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Nebraska |
| Spouse | Pauline Moore (married 1934–1960) |
| Children | 3 |
Career as an illustrator
After graduating from the University of Nebraska Machamer became a staff artist for The Kansas City Star newspaper.[2] In 1922 he moved to New York City and joined the staff of the humor magazine Judge.[2]
From 1928 until 1930 he wrote and drew a comic strip for King Features Syndicate called Petting Patty, initially as a daily strip and later also as a Sunday color feature. In 1932, his comic strip Gags and Gals made its debut in the New York Mirror. This strip proved a greater popular success, and ran until 1938.[3] According to Dan Nadel, Gags and Gals displayed the elements that typified most of Machamer's work: "beautiful dominant women, broad shouldered and impeccably dressed, accompanied by hapless, unattractive men, sometimes short and mustachioed, with just a tuft of hair atop a bald pate—apparently a self portrait."[2] Machamer's style has been compared to that of Russell Patterson, who may have influenced him.[4]
In 1946, Machamer published a how-to book for aspiring cartoonists, Laugh and Draw with Jefferson Machamer.[2] Beginning in the 1940s, he also operated a correspondence course from his home.[2]
Film work
Between 1936 and 1938, Machamer wrote and acted in a series of short comic films made by Educational Pictures, including Comic Artist's Home Life, Wanna Be a Model?, and Cute Crime.
Personal life
Machamer was born in western Nebraska.[5] From 1934 until his death he was married to the actress Pauline Moore, with whom he had three children.[6]
Jefferson Machamer died in Santa Monica, California on August 15, 1960.
Gallery
Illustration of Wang Lianying, 3 October 1920
"It's Libel to Say Movie Folks are Fast", 2 October 1921
"Do Your XMas Mailing Early", 10 December 1922
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