Paul Martin (June 6, 1883 – March 19, 1932) was an American commercial artist and illustrator. His artwork appeared on over two dozen covers of Collier's and Parents during the 1920s. Martin designed the world's largest sign in 1917. It towered above Times Square until 1924. He reshaped the then-famous mascot of Fisk Tires in 1930. Martin created the official poster for the Girl Scouts in 1931. It was displayed at their troop meetings from 1931 to 37. He played in sanctioned tennis tournaments around the New York metropolitan area from 1909 to 31. This included the U.S. National Championships (now US Open) of 1920–21, 24 (all after age 35). The Paul Martin singles tournament was held for eighty-four years, between 1932 and 2019. He played doubles with Franklin P. Adams, teamed with Vincent Richards, and collaborated on a book with Howard R. Garis. His wartime painting has been periodically exhibited at the International Tennis Hall of Fame (since 1965; pictured below right).
Background
The golden age of illustration began in the 1880s. Major advancements in printing techniques were then taking place. This included breakthroughs in the halftone process. It made the printing of images for commercial purposes more economical, feasible, and realistic. The singular process of wood engraving (strenuous and time-consuming) was replaced by photo engraving (higher level). Howard Pyle was an artist, writer, teacher and innovator. Pyle is often regarded as the "Father of American Illustration." Its luminaries included Howard Chandler Christy, Harrison Fisher, James Montgomery Flagg, Charles Dana Gibson, John Held Jr., J. C. Leyendecker, Maxfield Parrish, Coles Phillips, Remington, Norman Rockwell, Jessie Willcox Smith and N. C. Wyeth.
However, the vast majority of illustrators received little recognition compared to fine artists. This was due to their artwork being viewed as commercially (not creatively) inspired. Nevertheless, these previously obscure illustrators communicated and documented the people's aspirations, concerns, customs, humor, ideals, labor, morals and social interests. One of them was Paul Martin, whose work appeared on the covers of Collier's, Everybody's, Farm & Fireside, Liberty, Parents and People's Home Journal in the 1920s.
The magazine industry relied heavily on advertising revenue. It suffered from the popularity of radio and television (especially the latter). These far-reaching mediums were much more appealing to advertisers. The specialized magazines fared better. They targeted specific (not diverse) audiences and suffered fewer losses in readership. Later came the Internet revolution, which forced numerous periodicals to shut down or go digital for survival. Another point is that major advancements in photographic equipment and technology occurred during the 1930s. This resulted in the decades-long transition from illustrated to photographic covers. The innovative and enchanting artistic version still lingered on, until succumbing to graphic design software.
Life and tennis
He was born to Hannah A. (née Morrow) and Robert C. Martin (a brick merchant) in New York City on June 6, 1883. He was the second-youngest of nine children. Three of them did not reach adulthood. The family home was located on 31st St. in Manhattan, between 8th and 9th Aves, throughout the 1880s. The Martin clan moved way up to Central Harlem on Edgecombe Ave. in 1890. Young Paul lost two sisters between 1891 & 1893. The family relocated within Central Harlem, to 129th and 5th, in 1898. They belonged to the Twenty-fourth Street M. E. Church (till 1890) and Calvary Church (till 1908). His father was the superintendent of their Sunday schools. Martin immensely enjoyed drawing as a boy (future vocation). His first regular job was as a brokerage clerk at age 16. He studied commercial art at the National Academy of Design from 1902 to 06. His first career job was with the New-York Tribune as its art manager from 1905 to 12. He succeeded the innovative Stephen H. Horgan. Martin continued to live at home during those years. The family moved from Upper Manhattan to rural Maplewood, New Jersey, 1908. Their new church was located just two blocks away. They lived near a train station, which allowed them to commute into Manhattan. He joined the local tennis club and started competing in sanctioned events, 1909. His first two tournaments were held at the Nyack and Morristown clubs, Aug–Sep 1909. He played in both with Ralph, an older brother by 12 years. Ralph was related by marriage to Charles Yardley Turner.