Piet en Puk, by Boy ten Hove 1937

Boy ten Hove was a Dutch artist best known for his caricatures of 1930s jazz players. Born as Barend ten Hove in Vlissingen in 1909, he moved to Hengelo at the age of 7, and then got a job at an advertising firm in Amsterdam at age 20. Around 1931, he moved to Haarlem, where he began to work for the magazines of Catholic publisher De Spaarnestad.

jazz illustrations, by Boy ten Hove
Louis Armstrong (twice) and Bix Beiderbecke by Boy ten Hove (1930s)

He made many illustrations for Panorama, mainly caricatures of jazz musicians. Ten Hove earned international fame for his jazz drawings for Panorama, De Jazzwereld and Algemeen Handelsblad. He also made illustrations for De Radiobode, and contributed to several children's magazines.

Kees Kogel, by Boy ten Hove

Although a protestant himself, he worked for such Roman Catholic children's magazines, such as OKKI, Doe Mee, Sjors and Weekblad voor de Roomsche Jeugd. For the latter, he created one of his first comics, 'Kees Kogel'. In 1937, he created 'Piet en Puk', a comic for Het Kleuterblaadje. His best known comics work are his contributions to Sjors, for which he drew the strip 'Jan Klaas'. He was one of the first artists for this magazine, together with Frans Piët. After World War II, he left De Spaarnestad and became an advertising artist with NPO in The Hague.

Cover for Sjors, by Boy ten HoveNarrenkap cover by Boy ten Hove
Sjors cover:
"Why are you crying, son?"
"I built a snowman here yesterday, but I can't find it anymore!"

Narrenkap cover:
"Of all animals, we resemble mankind most."
"That's not a compliment!"

Series and books by Boy ten Hove you can order today:

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