“The Unhappy Golem of Rabbi Leitch” by Heidi Taillefer

But it has always been in the realm of imaginative literature where the illustrator has been most revered. Called on to create visual images that previously existed only in the writer’s imagination and words, the illustrator not only opens the door to new worlds and realities but fixes the fantasy in lines and colors.

This became very evident during the Golden Age of science fiction and fantasy (circa 1938-1950) that Ron helped bring about. Coexisting side by side with the literature was a golden age of illustration that featured such luminaries as Hannes Bok, Alex Schomburg and Virgil Finlay, to name just a few. Many remember Edd Cartier as one of the most renowned illustrators of that period for his cover art and story illustrations for several Golden Age writers, most notably, L. Ron Hubbard. Edd took great pride in his collaboration with Ron, and together they made a team which thrilled the imaginations of the readers of both Astounding Science Fiction and Unknown magazines. Ron’s admiration for artists like Edd Cartier played a major part in inspiring the Illustrators of the Future Contest.