Obituary: Mel Calman

ONE OF Mel Calman's more unusual assignments was to design a tie, writes Ion Trewin (further to the obituary by Simon Heneage, 12 February). It came about thus in 1983. The author Tim Heald had written Networks, his landmark study of what makes Britain and the British tick. As the publisher, and casting around for inspiration for the jacket design, I happened to discuss the problem with Mel Calman.

Old-boy networks, or the OBN, seemed a fruitful area for study. Calman was incredulous that Heald had discovered one manufacturer alone offering a catalogue of 150 different striped old school ties. Could there possibly be that number of variables among stripes and colours? But the seed for the jacket had been sown.

Next day he turned up at my office. On the back of an envelope he had sketched a tie with an 'OBN' motif in white, as well as a pinstripe which on closer inspection turned out to be a repetition of the word NETWORKS in red.

But that was only the beginning. Don't just turn this into artwork, he suggested, why not go the whole hog and actually manufacture the tie? Suddenly we had not only a jacket, but also a marketing spin-off, with Mel insisting on being involved at every stage. The old-school-tie manufacturers PL Sells took his design in their stride and a few days later rang up to say we could now inspect the proof.

To artist, author and publisher the Sells proofs were an unusual experience. No simple paper reproduction of design and words, the proof of a tie turned out to be woven cloth, complete with motif and pinstripe. Mel held it to the light, discussed spacing with the Sells executive as if it was something he did every day of his life; minor adjustments were suggested. A revised proof a few days later and then a bolt of cloth and, finally, the finished ties.

Mel took his fee in OBN ties. In his typically self-deprecating manner he was also very chuffed at being given a credit for the tie design on the jacket of the book. And very occasionally thereafter, although it has to be said rather self-consciously, he and I would meet for an OBN lunch, both sporting Heald's Networks tie. Even 11 years on it has worn very well.