Jan Le Witt and George Him: Design

Jan Le Witt and George Him were a comparative rarity, a design duo. Both Polish by birth, they arrived in London in 1937, sponsored by the Victoria and Albert Museum and Lund Humphries. They established their reputation for fine poster work in World War II, and, for their exhibition work, with their much loved Guiness Clock at the Festival of Britain. In Poland, their illustrations for 'Locomotiva' helped make it a children's classic and they continued with book illustration throughout their partnership. Of very different temperaments and artistic interests, the partnership lasted some twenty years, to 1954, when Le Witt left to develop his career as an artist. Him continued his commitment to graphic design - illustration, exhibitions and general commercial work - most remarkable of which was his witty illustrations marrying Stephen Potters texts for Schweppes - 'Schweppeshire', one of the longest lasting advertisement campaigns. 28 colour and 4 b/w illustrations