Walt Reed, 97,  Noted Westport Artist

Westport artist Walt Reed, once described as the founding father of the study of American illustration as well as its chief archivist and its patron saint, died March 18. He was 97. Once an instructor at Westport’s Famous Artists Schools, he authored numerous books and articles, including one on fellow Westport artist Harold von Schmidt. He founded Illustration House in Westport in 1974, which was devoted to the art and history of illustration. His son Roger joined him in 1981, and in 1987 they moved the gallery to New York City. He is pictured front of his 1976 American bicentennial U.S, postage stamp issue showing the flags of each of the 50 states which was part of a 2012 Westport Historical Society exhibit. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com