Description

Extended Data

Birth Place

Beecroft, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Biography

painter, cartoonist, comic strip artist and illustrator, was born in Beecroft, NSW. He studied at East Sydney Technical College (ESTC) for two years, then spent a year in the art department of the Sydney Sun . After serving in the Australian Air Force in 1943-46 he worked for Frank Johnson Publications. Many Belbin originals are in the Johnson Papers (Mitchell Library Px*D68, vol.1), particularly dozens of book covers, e.g. black and white 'Schoolboys outshoot hell-fire bushrangers’ by John Barr signed 'Phil Belbin 46’ and others in both colour and black and white (see State Library of New South Wales black and white exhibition 1999). Sheill (1999, 113) states that perhaps his best comic was The Raven , published as one of Frank Johnson’s Triumph Comics in September 1946. Belbin’s 30-year association with K.G. Murray Publications included hundreds of illustrations, cartoons and comics, the later often signed with pseudonyms such as 'Humph’ and 'Duke’. He produced Peril on Venus and Climax comics for Murray, and he also worked as a freelance illustrator for publishers and advertising agencies. He was the first Australian artist commissioned to do illustrations for Reader’s Digest Condensed Books. In 1969 he developed a newspaper strip, The Early Birds , most of which later appeared as part of the Air Hawk series. Belbin received a Citation of Merit from the New York Society of Illustrators in 1974. This entry is a stub. You can help the DAAO by submitting a biography. Writers: Kerr, Joan Date written: 1996 Last updated: 2007

Born

b. 9 September 1925

Summary

Late 20th century Sydney painter, cartoonist, comic strip artist and illustrator. A graduate of the East Sydney Technical College, Barr served in the Australian Air Force during WW2 before beginning a 30 year association with K.G. Murray Publications. In 1974 Belbin received a Citation of Merit from the NY Society of Illustrators.

Gender

Male

Died

1993

Age at death

68