J.C. Leyendecker

J.C. Leyendecker. , J.C. Leyendecker was one of the pre-eminent American illustrators of the early 20th century. He is best known for his poster, book and advertising illustrations, "The Arrow Collar Man" and his numerous covers for the Saturday Evening Post. Between 1896 and 1950 he painted more than 400 magazine covers and his art was selling Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Chesterfield cigarettes, Kuppenheimer clothing and Bibles as well., Born Joseph Christian Leyendecker in 1874 in Montabaur, Germany, his family emigrated to the U.S. in 1882, first living in Chicago and then settling in New Rochelle. In the early part of the century, New Rochelle was a mecca for a great number of the country's leading artists. It's easy rail access to Manhattan and the host of publishers, advertising companies and clothing manufacturers vying for the artists' work was a big plus., In 1914 Leyendecker purchased a large tractor of land on Mt. Tom Road and built a 14-room mansion in the style of a French chateau. To accommodate his love for gardening, the property was magnificently cultivated and landscaped., Leyendecker became one of the Saturday Evening Post's leading cover artists, and the Post's millions of readers awaited his annual covers for all holidays. Beginning with the first cover in 1906 featuring a winged cherub, Leyendecker was responsible for bringing to America the tradition of the New Year's baby. Nearly 40 graced the covers of the Post, and nearly all were modeled after New Rochelle infants., Leyendecker was a member of the New Rochelle Association and he continued to complete top-rated work until his death in 1951. Fellow New Rochelle resident and artist, Norman Rockwell, was a pallbearer at his funeral.