Harry Kane
Encyclopedia
Harry Kane - (July 2, 1912 - March 1988) was a twentieth century illustrator and artist who was born Harry Kirchner and was of Russian/Jewish descent. Primarily known for his work on the children's books, "The Three Investigators", he had an amazing career that spanned over 50 years, doing work on paperback covers, advertising art, men's adventure magazines, movie posters and much more.
and NC Wyeth, which he studied closely. Harry's career began during the great depression
when he and a few of his artist friends left Philadelphia for the bright lights and big dreams of New York City. It was difficult to find employment in this troubling time in American history, but Harry had one thing going for him that many others didn't have, talent. The job hunt began around 1930 and eventually led to the door of Street and Smith Publications, one of his first paying jobs, drawing for Western Story Magazine.
Harry eventually got married to his wife Minna and they lived in Greenwich Village for a while. World War II
began and Harry was drafted and sent to Hawaii to be a map maker. In 1941, Harry and his wife had their first child, a son they named Eugene. They soon realized that their son was mentally ill and he had to spend much of his life in an institution. Life was hard for Minna, as Harry was stationed in Hawaii, and she was left to raise Eugene on her own. She petitioned the army to release Harry early to help with Eugene but to no avail. The war ended in 1945 and Harry was one of the first people to come home. Upon returning from the war Harry and Minna saw the birth of their next child Hadiya in 1946, with another daughter, Janice, coming along not long after. Harry spent much of his free time with his ailing son.
When Harry returned from the war he found his job was no longer waiting for him, so he began taking freelance jobs. He did work for Seagrams, Schlitz beer, Calso Gasoline Company, Phillip Morris
and much more. In the mid-1960s Random House
hired Harry to work on a new set of children’s books called Alfred Hitchcock
and The Three Investigators. Harry worked on most of the covers and interiors of the first 16 books and the series proved to be very popular selling millions of copies.
Personal life
Harry was a self taught artist who was born in Philadelphia in 1912. When he was younger he used to cut high school to go to the zoo and draw animals. He was extremely knowledgeable about art history and contemporary art and his thirst to better his skills led him to books by Howard PyleHoward Pyle
Howard Pyle was an American illustrator and author, primarily of books for young people. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, he spent the last year of his life in Florence, Italy.__FORCETOC__...
and NC Wyeth, which he studied closely. Harry's career began during the great depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
when he and a few of his artist friends left Philadelphia for the bright lights and big dreams of New York City. It was difficult to find employment in this troubling time in American history, but Harry had one thing going for him that many others didn't have, talent. The job hunt began around 1930 and eventually led to the door of Street and Smith Publications, one of his first paying jobs, drawing for Western Story Magazine.
Harry eventually got married to his wife Minna and they lived in Greenwich Village for a while. World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
began and Harry was drafted and sent to Hawaii to be a map maker. In 1941, Harry and his wife had their first child, a son they named Eugene. They soon realized that their son was mentally ill and he had to spend much of his life in an institution. Life was hard for Minna, as Harry was stationed in Hawaii, and she was left to raise Eugene on her own. She petitioned the army to release Harry early to help with Eugene but to no avail. The war ended in 1945 and Harry was one of the first people to come home. Upon returning from the war Harry and Minna saw the birth of their next child Hadiya in 1946, with another daughter, Janice, coming along not long after. Harry spent much of his free time with his ailing son.
When Harry returned from the war he found his job was no longer waiting for him, so he began taking freelance jobs. He did work for Seagrams, Schlitz beer, Calso Gasoline Company, Phillip Morris
Altria Group
Altria Group, Inc. is based in Henrico County, Virginia, and is the parent company of Philip Morris USA, John Middleton, Inc., U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, Inc., Philip Morris Capital Corporation, and Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. It is one of the world's largest tobacco corporations...
and much more. In the mid-1960s Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
hired Harry to work on a new set of children’s books called Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
and The Three Investigators. Harry worked on most of the covers and interiors of the first 16 books and the series proved to be very popular selling millions of copies.
External links
- The Life and Art of Harry Kane His life's work and an interview with his daughter