John Held, Jr.

Who was John Held, Jr.?

John Held Jr. was an American cartoonist, wood block artist and illustrator. One of the best known magazine illustrators of the 1920s, Held created cheerful art showing his characters dancing, motoring and engaging in fun-filled activities. The drawings defined the flapper era so well that many people are familiar with Held's work today. He also produced woodcuts that depicted a Victorian era that was dark with violence and abuse.

Born in Salt Lake City, he was a son of Annie and John Held. His father was born in Geneva, Switzerland and was adopted by Mormon educator John R. Park, who brought him to Salt Lake City. His maternal grandfather, James Evans, was an English convert to Mormonism. He always claimed that his only art training came from his father and from sculptor Mahonri M. Young, a grandson of Brigham Young.

Held showed a talent for the arts at a young age, selling his first wood print at only nine years old. He worked as a cartoonist at the Salt Lake City Tribune and eventually married Myrtle Jennings, the editor.