Palmer Cox

Palmer Cox ( born April 28, 1840 in Quebec City, † July 24, 1924 on Long Iceland ) was a Canadian-American children's book author and illustrator.

Life

Palmer Cox was first worked in other occupations before he moved in 1863 to San Francisco and began to draw. In California, he took the U.S. citizenship. In 1874 he sold illustrated stories at California magazines. From 1875 he lived on Long Iceland; his studio was located in the house 656 Broadway in Manhattan. His most famous characters, the brownies, the Scottish legendary figures were modeled, appeared for the first time in 1883 in the children's magazine St. Nicholas on; 1887 appeared the first Brownie book, which until 1918 eleven more followed. Overall, Palmer Cox published 25 books, including 16 about the brownies. Cox's own estimate, he drew in his life over a million brownies. These little spirits had large, pointed ears, wide mouths that smiled usual, bulging eyes and long, thin legs. They were distinguished by nationality or professions; so there was about a police Brownie, an Irish, a Chinese and an Indian Brownie in the appropriate clothing and eventually a cowboy Brownie, the, President Theodore Roosevelt had personally desired. The brownies were the protagonists in two stage plays, one of which was played five years in succession, and appeared on numerous items of everyday use to. Among other things, George Eastman Cox named in honor of its oversold Brownie box camera. From 1890 Brownie dolls were sold in 1891 more toys from 1892 and Brownie games. Even biscuits and soap were marketed using the Brownie characters. Cox even lay down in his later years in addition to the residence on Long Iceland nor a representative residing in the vicinity of his birthplace to which he called Brownie Castle.

The house has the address 125 Elgin Street, Victoria Park, Granby. It was built by Palmer Cox's plans in 1902 and 1904 by his two brothers, William and George. Brownie Castle has an octagonal tower on which a flag is raised Brownie, six staircases, 17 rooms, a brownie weather vane and a colorful stained glass window with Brownie motif.

Apart from his books and comics for children Cox also created a regular contributor to the Ladies Home Journal and for a Sunday newspaper.

Palmer Cox was among the first artists who could protect their works copyright; nevertheless numerous copyright infringements were committed. A certain similarity with the brownies according to the findings reported by Dorothy Jean Ray on the children's book illustrations by Florence Pretz, whose patented in 1908 lucky charms Billiken figure also shows traits that are already present in the brownies.

Memberships

• Palmer Cox was an active member of the Federation of the Freemasons. It was 1894 on the Grand Master of Mission Lodge No. 169 elected in San Francisco.