Walter Jardine


Walter Lacy Jardine was an Australian commercial artist, known for his draftsmanship.

Biography

Jardine was born in Macdonaldtown, Sydney, the second son of Alfred Henry Jardine, and his wife Amy Mary Jardine, née Lacy.
When quite young he was apprenticed to newspaper artist J. H. Leonard, and later studied at an art school conducted by J. S. Watkins. By age 17 he was a regular contributing artist to The Australian Star newspaper.
In October 1910 The Lone Hand published his pen and ink drawing, "Tennis girl".
In 1923 he left for New York, where he become known for his detailed drawings on scraper-board, and illustrated William Randolph Hearst’s Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping and Motor magazines, the American Legion's magazine and other cover art and commercial work, making more money than he could ever earn in Australia.
In May 1928 he returned to Sydney, where he was soon back at work, creating advertisements that appeared in The Bulletin, Home and other papers as well as posters. He also illustrated articles that appeared in The Bulletin.
By May 1950 he was operating an advertising agency with an office at 66 King Street, Sydney.
Over the years he produced posters advertising some of Australia's best-known brands: Akubra hats, Arnott's Biscuits, Burns Philp travel, Orient Line travel, Pelaco shirts, Qantas air travel, Royal Agricultural Society, Stamina men's wear, Tooth & Co beer, and Tooheys beer.
In 1953 Jardine supplied the cover art for the Carols By Candlelight programme, depicting the Three Wise Men.
On 25 July 1962 the Australian Post Office released a 5d stamp designed by Jardine, to commemorate the centenary of Stuart's crossing the continent.
In 1964 they released a series of high-denomination postage stamps, "The Navigators", all bearing artwork by Jardine. The series consisted of 5/- William Dampier, 7/6 James Cook, 10/- Matthew Flinders, £1 George Bass, £2 Phillip Parker King.

Publications

Illustrated:
  • The Coloured Conquest "Rata" pub. NSW Bookstall Company
Newspaper examples:

Family

On 1 June 1918 Jardine married Sylvia Mary Prior ; they had two daughters:
  • Byrl Lillian Jardine married Keith John C. Wordsworth, on 27 September 1941.
  • June Lacy Jardine married Peter Booth-Jones in 1943
They had a home at Roseville, New South Wales in 1942.