Cirrus@Austlit

Painter and cartoonist Alek Sass came to Melbourne with his family during the 1880s and subsequently studied at the National Gallery of Victoria School at night (ca.1890-1893) while working as a sign-writer. 'When he began working as a cartoonist on Melbourne Punch (1896-1912) he used the name "Alek Sass" (sometimes given as "Alex" and he was later wrongly but commonly called "Alec Sass" by Smith's Weekly). His cartoons for Melbourne Punch include a pair signed "SAS"' which were published 4 November 1897.'

Sass revisited London ca.1911 and during the period 1912-1918 he also worked in New York where he drew for New York World and designed posters for the movies. He eventually settled in Sydney and worked as a commercial artist with the firm of Smith & Julius (Sydney Ure Smith and Harry Julius, qq.v.). Sass was the third artist to join Smith's Weekly (ca.1919) and later became the first art editor of that publication.

(Source: Dictionary of Australian Artists Online)