[Big_Al]

I have his book and I am always in awe of his talents. It is also very interesting that Emil Janel was not his real name. Big Al

[Mike-in-WV]

Come on Big Al! Why didn't he use his real name and what was it? It really doesn't matter, his carvings tells it all . Sure wish I had half that mans ability to see things the way he did in his mind and then just do it. There are a few other carvers who come close to his work but not quite up to his plane,Mike

[Big_Al]

FYI; Emil was Born in Orsa, Sweden in 1900 He started carving at six years of age. At the age of fourteen he won the Swedish National Woodcarving competition.At twenty four he exhibited in Stockholm with 250 leading sculptors and won first place. He then emigrated to Canada ( Vancouver) and then to San Francisco, but before leaving a friend thought that his name would be hard to pronounce in English - Emil Nygard -So he changed it to sound like a popular sports figure of the day - John L. Sullivan, the worlds heavyweight champion at the time. So his new surname was created out of John L - or rather - Janel, a name he kept for the reast of his life.If you wish more information there is a book on his life and carvings. Big Al

[Mike-in-WV]

Big Al. Thanks for the info. Got to get me one of the books on him. Thanks again for the info,Mike

[Gary M. Peiffer]

I purchased a book on Emil Janel from Pete Ortel (who knows a little bit about Caricature carving, or as Pete says, "kA-ving") about three years ago. He had a bunch of these books and was selling them at a seminar sponsored by the Conewago Carvers of East Berlin, PA. The book is absolutely stunning and I was appreciative that Pete offered them for sale.

I know the title of this thread is "Best Caricature Carver from the past?". Wonder if a book on the "Best Caricature Carvers Past and Present" would have a market? Maybe Fox Chapel would be interested in publishing such a beast. Or maybe use this as a feature in WCI.

[Mike-in-WV]

Gary, Great idea! Maybe Bob will talk to the right people about a book like that or write one on his own. I'm sure that Rick or Al could do something like that also. They sure have the knowledge and the ability. Mike