Artistes

1960 · 64067 — Pontiac MI: Pontiac Motor Division General Motors 1960. Two vols. Oblong 4to. 12 x 10.5 in.; 11 x 8 in. 24; 16 pp unpaginated. Colour-illustrated throughout several double-page. Colour-illustrated lithographed softcovers on thick paper stock for 1st vol 2nd w/ self-printed softcovers slight dustsoiling and thumbing to fore-edges minor age-toning to second still a VG set w/ dealership stamps at lower corners of Kasey Pontiac San Diego CA. First editions of these exceptional Mid-20th Century dealer’s catalogue enhanced with the lush illustrations by Fitzpatrick & Kaufman who were able on occasion to include their initials AF/VK hidden in their General Motors artwork. The 1961 Pontiac models included the Bonneville Star Chief Ventura and Catalina on 119/123†wheelbase and lighter weight frames than the 1960 models. Fitzpatrick b. 1919 launched his career by apprenticing under John Tjaarda at the Briggs Body Co. as a designer in 1937 and later designed the Darrin Packard One-Eighty sedan before working for General Electric during World War II. After the War Fitzpatrick illustrated for Mercury Lincoln Nash & Plymouth before being recruited for the 1953 Buick portfolio and later granted exclusive contract with GM. Kaufman b. 1918 was a Disney animator who worked on Fantasia and Dumbo and later with the Army Air Corps First Motion Picture Unit and teamed up with Fitzpatrick in 1951. Their original artwork created for GM through 1970 remain some of the most desired automobile art of the 20th Century. Worldcat locates 1 copy of each Premium at The Met; smaller at Hagley of 14 pp.; See: Illustrious Duo: The Art of Fitz and Van Driven to Write 2022. Pontiac Motor Division, General Motors, paperback