Phil Belbin
Encyclopedia
Phil Belbin was an Australian artist and cinematographer. He is best known for introducing the candy livery for the State Rail Authority of New South Wales in the 1980s and his steam train video series from his archival collection. He is still regarded as a one of Australia's leading steam enthusiast and he had an extensive personal collection of several small steam locos, loco name plates, builders plates,and other rail memorabilia. His legacy lives on through his extensive film collection which he took in the final two decades of NSWGR steam.
in 1925. As a young child he was always waiting anxiously for delivery of meat from the butchers, as he got the white wrapping paper to draw pictures on. Belbin's inspirational artist was Arthur Rackham
, and he saved his money for his books. At the age of eleven he drew his first comic book, Perry Dale. His first published work was a calender
for a metallurgist when he was thirteen. Belbin studied art at East Sydney Technical Collage for two years, where his artwork has impressed his teachers and the famous, controversial artist William Dobell
. Belbin had further training for one year at Sydney's The Sun
newspaper as an intern
in 1942. Belbin enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force
in 1943 and served in the Pacific Islands, as an armourer.
Following his demobilisation
in 1946, he was recommended to publisher Frank Johnson by fellow artist and cartoonist Peter Chapman. Frank Johnson Publications published Belbin's first comic, The Raven, in 1946. It appeared in the sixpenny Johnson comic, Triumph, in September 1946. He also illustrated the Bryant editions of Treasure Island and Little Women.
Belbin was then approached by the K. G. Murray Publishing Company, the publishers of the Man stable of magazines, and began producing comic strips, cartoons and various pieces of artwork for them. His comic book and strip creations included Jimmy Smart, Flash Cain and Peril on Venus. Belbin was also a freelancer for other publishers and advertising agencies.
His work appeared in many publications, including Readers Digest (where he was the first Australian artist commisioned to do illustrations for Reader's Digest Condensed Books
), and his major clients included McDonnell Douglas
, Hawker De Havilland, the British National Railway Museum, the State Rail Authority of New South Wales and American Trains magazine
.
During the 1940s to the 1970s Belbin produced numerous cover illustrations for a range of pulp and paperback titles for Frank Johnson
and Horwitz Publishing
including the Famous Detective, Surefire Western, Phantom and Star books.
In 1969 Belbin developed the newspaper strip, The Early Birds, most of which later appeared as part of the Air Hawk
series.
The New York
Society of Illustrators
awarded him a 'Citation of Merit' in 1974 and the Royal Society of Arts
elected him a fellow in the 1980s.
.
Career
Phillip Bertram Johstone Belbin was born in Beecroft, New South WalesBeecroft, New South Wales
Beecroft is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Beecroft is located 22 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Hornsby Shire. Beecroft is considered to be in the Northern Suburbs of Sydney.- History :Beecroft...
in 1925. As a young child he was always waiting anxiously for delivery of meat from the butchers, as he got the white wrapping paper to draw pictures on. Belbin's inspirational artist was Arthur Rackham
Arthur Rackham
Arthur Rackham was an English book illustrator.-Biography:Rackham was born in London as one of 12 children. At the age of 18, he worked as a clerk at the Westminster Fire Office and began studying part-time at the Lambeth School of Art.In 1892 he left his job and started working for The...
, and he saved his money for his books. At the age of eleven he drew his first comic book, Perry Dale. His first published work was a calender
Calender
The calender is a series of hard pressure rollers used to form or smooth a sheet of material. In a principal application, the calender is located at the end of a papermaking process . Those that are used separate from the process are also called supercalenders...
for a metallurgist when he was thirteen. Belbin studied art at East Sydney Technical Collage for two years, where his artwork has impressed his teachers and the famous, controversial artist William Dobell
William Dobell
Sir William Dobell, OBE was an Australian artist .The electoral Division of Dobell is named after him.- Life :...
. Belbin had further training for one year at Sydney's The Sun
The Sun (Australia)
The Sun was an afternoon tabloid newspaper, first published in 1910, by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia as the afternoon companion to the The Sydney Morning Herald.It was last published in March, 1988...
newspaper as an intern
Intern
Internship is a system of onthejob training for white-collar jobs, similar to an apprenticeship. Interns are usually college or university students, but they can also be high school students or post graduate adults seeking skills for a new career. They may also be as young as middle school or in...
in 1942. Belbin enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
in 1943 and served in the Pacific Islands, as an armourer.
Following his demobilisation
Demobilization
Demobilization is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and military force will not be necessary...
in 1946, he was recommended to publisher Frank Johnson by fellow artist and cartoonist Peter Chapman. Frank Johnson Publications published Belbin's first comic, The Raven, in 1946. It appeared in the sixpenny Johnson comic, Triumph, in September 1946. He also illustrated the Bryant editions of Treasure Island and Little Women.
Belbin was then approached by the K. G. Murray Publishing Company, the publishers of the Man stable of magazines, and began producing comic strips, cartoons and various pieces of artwork for them. His comic book and strip creations included Jimmy Smart, Flash Cain and Peril on Venus. Belbin was also a freelancer for other publishers and advertising agencies.
His work appeared in many publications, including Readers Digest (where he was the first Australian artist commisioned to do illustrations for Reader's Digest Condensed Books
Reader's Digest Condensed Books
The Reader's Digest Condensed Books were a series of hardcover anthology collections, published by Reader's Digest and distributed by direct mail. Each volume contained several current best-selling novels , abridged...
), and his major clients included McDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport...
, Hawker De Havilland, the British National Railway Museum, the State Rail Authority of New South Wales and American Trains magazine
Trains (magazine)
Trains is a monthly magazine dedicated to trains and railroads, and is one of the two flagship publications of Kalmbach Publishing. The magazine is read both by railroad enthusiasts, commonly referred to as railfans, and those within the railroad industry....
.
During the 1940s to the 1970s Belbin produced numerous cover illustrations for a range of pulp and paperback titles for Frank Johnson
Frank Johnson
Frank Johnson may refer to:*Frank Johnson , American football player*Frank Johnson , British World War I ace pilot*Frank Johnson , former American professional basketball player and coach...
and Horwitz Publishing
Horwitz Publishing House
Horwitz Publications, is an Australian publisher primarily known for its publication of popular and pulp fiction. Established in 1921 in Sydney, Australia by Israel and Ruth Horwitz, the company was a family-owned and -run business until the early 21st century. The company is most associated with...
including the Famous Detective, Surefire Western, Phantom and Star books.
In 1969 Belbin developed the newspaper strip, The Early Birds, most of which later appeared as part of the Air Hawk
Air Hawk and the Flying Doctors
Air Hawk and the Flying Doctor was an Australian comic strip created by John Dixon. The strip began publication on 30 May 1959, premiering in the Saturday issue of Perth's Weekend Mail. It was subsequently published by other Australian Sunday newspapers, Sydney Sun Herald , the The Sunday Mail and...
series.
The New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Society of Illustrators
Society of Illustrators
The Society of Illustrators is a professional society based in New York City. Founded in 1901, the mission of the Society is to promote the art and appreciation of illustration, as well as its history...
awarded him a 'Citation of Merit' in 1974 and the Royal Society of Arts
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
elected him a fellow in the 1980s.
Career highlights
- 1982: Introducing the Candy Livery to all SRA fleet including their rolling stock.
- 1990: First video installation entitled Days Of Steam with his film collection that he made from 1949 - 1970 with help. With the video going 'Gold' several times over.
- 1998: Second video installation entitled Days Of Steam - Volume 2 which was dedicated to him after he died giving it many positive reviews.
- 2002: A brand new video entitled Pioneers Of Film which is the first video to be produced entirely 'in house'.
- 2007: A brand new DVD was out entitled 'Film Night in NSW'
Personal life
In November 1947, Belbin married Cecily Johnson and they had two sons, Graeme and Bruce. Belbin died in early 1993, at the age of 68, as a result of Motor Neurone diseaseMotor neurone disease
The motor neurone diseases are a group of neurological disorders that selectively affect motor neurones, the cells that control voluntary muscle activity including speaking, walking, breathing, swallowing and general movement of the body. They are generally progressive in nature, and can cause...
.