Johns, John Abraham
John Abraham Johns (October 24, 1921 - December 31, 2005) was a caricaturist and illustrator who worked for various publications in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Johns was born in Pittsburgh and attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, graduating in 1939. During the Second World War, he was a B-25 bomber pilot in the China-Burma-India Theater. After the war, he worked as a commercial artist for an advertising agency in Charleston, West Virginia before returning to Pittsburgh, where he became the editorial cartoonist for The Pittsburgh Press from 1952 to 1969. He also designed covers for the weekly magazine TV Graphic and several other publications. From 1969 to 1974, Johns also appeared on local public television, drawing caricatures live relating to news stories and celebrities of the day. In March 1970, his work appeared in Mad magazine, giving him some national exposure beyond the Pittsburgh region. From 1970 to 1982, Johns was the President of his alma mater, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. During that time and after, he was an advocate for training caricaturist at his alma mater and other art institutes throughout the country.
Whimsical Tour of New England, in a manuscript proof.
This is a 1967 John A. Johns original manuscript art for a pictorial game map of New England. This game was intended for publication by the Pittsburgh Press, but may never have been printed, as we can find no other record of it. (more details)