On October 12, 1916, a new life sprang into being in New York City with the birth of Jack Hamm. Jack, Sr., his father, found employment as a commercial illustrator and had a creative hand in the family. The mother, Julia, was the pillar in their home who devoted herself to taking care of her children. From very young, Hamm endeavored to express himself through art and when he hit ten years old, he could no longer contain his passion and started attending art classes at the Brooklyn Museum as well as the Art Students League of New York.

Wielding a brush for the first time in the art world, Hamm embarked on his journey as a messenger for an advertising agency. Not long after, he was offered an apprenticeship with an illustrator whose work graced the pages of glossy magazines. Undeterred by his entry-level position, he also started to dabble in selling his own creations to these same periodicals. In 1937, Hamm solidified his creative path as a professional freelancer.

During WWII, Hamm donned the uniform of the United States Army and was positioned in Europe. He was tasked with creating detailed sketches for Stars and Stripes, the newspaper that served the military personnel.

Following the period of turbulence brought on by WWII, Hamm returned to being a self-employed artist. He was engaged in producing drawings for newspapers, publications, and started developing his advertising career. Among other accomplishments, Hamm was among the first to pioneer television marketing in America.

The 1950s marked the beginning of a significant undertaking for Hamm, when he commenced creating a pack of illustrated Bible storybooks for children. In 1953, The Story of Jesus for Young People blasted onto shelves, making the series incredibly popular. Over 25 additional books in the series were released, all featuring Hamm’s vivid illustrations and captivating writing.

Jack Hamm’s Bible Storybooks proved to be an international sensation, as they captivated readers of practically every culture and in multiple languages. Selling millions of copies, their influence is still seen today.

In the early eighties, Hamm bid farewell to a successful career in illustration. Sadly, after a fulfilling life, he passed away in New York City on April 17, 1996.