Leach Corp. prints?

[tkelly]

Fellow members,
I came across some lithographs of some WW1 artwork depicting noteable moments in WW1 aviaton history. The only words indentifying their origin is "The Leach Corporation". They must have been printed sometime in the 1960's. Does anyone know how many were in the set or have any background informaton about these prints?

Tim

[Rick]

The Leach Corp. used these as advertisements during the 1960's. They appeared quite regularly in Aviation Week and Space Technology. I believe there were at least 35, possible more, of them. I would think that a full set of lithographs would be quite valuable today. R.

[tkelly]

Rick,
Thanks for the information. In the bunch I found there were about a dozen of them. They are really quite good considering the era they came from. I consider myself very lucky to have found them.

Thanks again,

Tim

[Rod_Filan]

This is from the Leach Corp. site itself:
---------------------------------
History of the Collection

When Leach Corporation, as it was then called, commissioned a painting of a World War I aircraft in flight, little did management know it was giving birth to what would become widely known as the "Heritage of the Air Collection." Leach, which was involved in manufacturing relay components for the aerospace industry, simply wanted to feature the work in a corporate advertising campaign.


The painting appeared in a Leach ad in the February 16, 1959, issue of "Aviation Week & Space Technology," and it received such favorable response that Leach quickly commissioned another painting, followed by another, then another, and so on. By 1966, the series comprised a total of 45 enormously popular original aviation paintings with many thousands of prints in worldwide distribution. Now, almost 30 years later, a 46th painting has been completed.


"The Grand Adventure Begins"

Merv Corning, creator of 43 of the original 45 paintings, has brought new life to the collection with the addition of "The Grand Adventure Begins." His latest work commemorates the 70th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's famous trans-Atlantic crossing in the Spirit of St. Louis.

The passage of time between paintings, however, has not changed Corning's fastidious attention to the little particularities that make his paintings so unique. A careful look at "The Grand Adventure Begins" reveals a rich pallet of details designed to please even the most discriminating of aviation buffs.


Details of "Lucky Lindy's" instrument panel can be seen through the aircraft's side-door, which has the only piece of glass on the entire plane. Not known to many students of history, but carefully detailed by Corning, is the fact that the "Spirit of St. Louis" had no front windshield. The land shown is the Newfoundland coast as it must have looked to Lindbergh as he began the over-water portion of his historic 33-hour flight.


History on Canvas

From 1959 through 1966, the Heritage series focused on World War I military aircraft. The research and dedication that Corning put into his painting assured Leach Corporation that the works were accurate in detail, educational and, above all, interesting.


Response to Corning's work has been overwhelming. Over the years, the company has received more than 20,000 requests for reprints.


Enthusiasts and students of aviation history alike have found many of their favorite flying "aces" within the series; from the famous German aviator Manfred von Richthofen (Red Baron) to America's top ace, Capt. Edward Rickenbacker. In fact, the painting depicting "Eddie" Rickenbacker in his famous "Spad" is available for viewing in the Smithsonian Museum's permanent art collection.

(cont)....

[Rod_Filan]

Other Heritage of the Air prints and originals find themselves residing in some equally esteemed addresses:

A specially framed set of reproductions was presented to the White House on October 11,1961.
Ten of the original Heritage paintings were presented to the U.S. Air Force on October 12, 1961. These paintings now are a part of the permanent archives of the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, in Dayton, Ohio. To this day, prints of these paintings can be seen in many Air Force buildings all over the world.
The Artist


Merv Corning's childhood fantasies consisted of two subjects; football players and aircraft. While football enthusiasts might be familiar with Corning's work for the NFL, it is his work on the Heritage of the Air Collection that brings together people from the various worlds of art, military, aerospace and aviation. From whichever background his admirers come, Corning's work delivers to them something unique. Whether it is his use of various media, meticulous attention to detail or his Norman Rockwell-like realism, admirers always find something unique to enjoy in each of his paintings.


The Heritage of the Air Collection is the culmination of Corning's many years as an award-winning illustrator. Corning, who began his career as an advertising artist for a small drug store chain, had no formal art training. He learned about spatial relationships, composition and perspective entirely on the job. Perhaps his lack of formal training is what helped Corning see beyond the boundaries of his subject matter, to add to the painting his own emotions and introduce other physical matter into his work.


After holding several other commercial artist positions, Corning joined a professional group of artists that worked for various advertising agencies. He quickly moved up the corporate ladder, being made a partner, then president of the organization.


Corning welcomed two new commissions to the firm, the National Football League and Lockheed, each of which brought back fond memories of his long-ago childhood interest in football players and aircraft. The Lockheed account led to other aircraft-related commissions, including that of Leach Corporation.


Corning left the corporate world in 1968 to pursue his love of fine-art painting. He turned his home into a studio and, as they say, the rest is history. Starting with a modest early showing of his works in a Sacramento, Calif., gallery, his paintings today are viewed in public and private collections around the world.
--------------------
VBR
Rod

[Rod_Filan]

Now here's my opinion on the Leach website at: http://www.leachintl.com/archives.html

It's a rat's nest. The webmaster has a habit of misplacing the images and stories behind the subject of the paintings. Spell checking and accuracy of fact appears to be an option.
Originally the site had just jpg's (most thumbnails to larger images were dead links) without text. Up until now a new section (Heritage of the Air archive) had been created with 1 new painting and narrative being added per month. Where it's all gone now is anyone's guess, but if you'd like to look around their site; the link is above. Look in the index of folders - you might find something there. Last year you could access them (bad website management imo). Hey.. its probably all still there and I'm just looking where it should be.

Okay... I had to say that. I feel better now

VBR
Rod

[Rick]

Rod,

They are all there. Go to their home page, move your cursor along their top blue line till you find 'Heritage'. Stop, don't click, and it will reveal 3 line items: (1) Background, (2) Paintings & Stories, and (3) Screen Saver. Background discusses the artist (actually the first ad came out in AW&ST in 1959), and Paintings & Stories presents all 46 of the art work. I didn't try Screen Saver. R.

[Rick]

Rod,

* *Oops! *I would appear to be a day late and a dollar short!! * I should have read the entire thread, not just the most recent posts!! Oh well, - - - .* * R .

[Rod_Filan]

Hey thanks Rick! I knew if I complained loud enough somebody would find it for me

They seem to have put a lot of work into the presentation since I first found the Leach site a year or so ago. No broken links to larger images that I found. Still haven't proof read it yet tho.

BTW... I should mention for sake of the unaware... these images should not be used for website illustration. I'm quite sure the Leach Corp. is very particular about being the copyright holders.

Tim... prints come up on ebay every so often in case you're thinking about adding to your dozen or just wondering what price they might command. Great find!

VBR
Rod

[Rick]

Rod,

* *Well I kind of f**cked up there, but I guess I got the message across. *It will be interesting to see how the GREAT Web Censor handles f**cked up !! * * *R.