From the archives of Bob Montgomery, motoring historian
GEO HAM: The motoring world knew him as Geo Ham. His real name was George Hamel. Like his stylish paintings of fast cars and aeroplanes, somehow Geo Ham sounded more stylish, more appropriate for an artist who contrived to make every car he painted sensuous.
Even his first commission, drawing catalogue illustrations which made the very un-chic Benjamin cyclecar look chic, allowed him to demonstrate his inherent, flowing natural style. Geo always claimed that in his early years he based his style on the work of René Vincent, and in later life on the great British motoring artist, F Gordon Crosby. If that were so, then he also managed to infuse his work with an additional flair which was all his own.
Born in 1900, his most productive years were between 1925 and 1938 - between the catalogue illustrations for the Benjamin cyclecar and the introduction of the 1938 Delahaye Type 165 which was based on an illustration he had done. Surely also it was in recognition of his sensuous approach to car design that the greatest and most flamboyant French coachbuilder of that era, Figoni et Falaschi, retained him as a consultant.
A small man, Geo was also apparently something of a dandy. He had a vivacious personality and rather fancied himself as a race driver; something which was an endless source of amusement to the many racing driver friends he made. Those racing drivers welcomed him, however, for they recognised in him a fellow-enthusiast and his ready wit and positive nature were welcomed at all the great races. They also appreciated the driver's perspective which he brought to his many pictures of racing scenes and knew that he understood their love of the sport.
He was also welcomed at Concours d'Elegance which he loved to attend, and a great many of his finest paintings clearly show the love of the automobile which he retained throughout his life. Geo was never happier than when he was attending his beloved Concours d'Elegance events simply using his artist's eye to take in the sumptuous curve of the most beautiful of cars.
As well as his commissioned paintings and illustrations, Geo Ham was on the staff of the famous French magazine L'Illustration from 1925 to 1940, and did some of his finest work for this publication. His talent was recognised elsewhere and he was one of the few artists accredited to the French Ministère de L'Air. As in the motoring world, so too in the world of aviation his paintings were acclaimed.
He was a war correspondent in Ethiopia and earned a recommendation for the Croix de Guerre for his military service there.
After the second World War, Geo's work continued to be in demand and he found a wider audience that ever before. Amongst the most widely known examples of his art from this period were the series of posters he did for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Geo Ham continued working right up to his death in 1972. When he died motor enthusiasts the world over mourned the passing of an artist with a unique insight into the Golden Age of the Automobile.