Jack Coggins (1911-2006) was a
prolific illustrator of rare talent who inspired children in the 1950’s with his
dramatic images of space flight and a trip to the Moon.
Combined with the lucid prose of Fletcher Pratt, their
collaborations provided an instructive and entertaining introduction to the concepts of rockets
and space flight. Jack Coggins' use of light and
shadow in his paintings conveys a sense of drama that is
still compelling today.
Jack Coggins illustrated several
books on spaceflight written for children, including
By Space Ship to the Moon and Rockets, Jets,
Guided Missiles and Space Ships. I had two of
his books, co-written with Fletcher Pratt, and I
treasure them to this day.
The images included here are from
By Space Ship to the Moon and depict the
construction of a space station and a trip to the Moon.
Although the technology appears
dated by today's
standards, his paintings were a source of wonder and
inspiration to those of us growing up in the 1950's.
To learn more about Jack Coggins,
go to Jack Coggins
- Artist and Author.
Jack Coggins' book Arms and Equipment of
the Civil War, featuring his artwork, is still
in print.
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