César Civita

He was born Cesare Civita in New York City to Italian-Jewish parents Vittoria Carpi, an opera singer, and Carlo Civita, a businessman. His younger brothers were Vittorio and Arturo. The family returned to Milan, where the boys were raised and went to school.

As a young man, Cesare developed an early interest in publishing, particularly related to literature and graphic art. He also got involved in cinema, producing a film.

In 1936 Civita was named general manager of the prestigious publishing house, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. He and Cesare Zavattini redesigned Pitigrilli's literary magazine, Grandi Firme, incorporating cover art by Gino Boccasile and attracting the magazine its highest circulation. Civita obtained an exclusive license to publish Walt Disney's American comic books in Italy. He also ventured into cinema, producing a documentary that earned an award at the Venice Film Festival.

After the Fascist regime enacted the 1938 Race Laws, Civita chose to emigrate to New York City with his wife, Mina, and their three children. He became a talent agent for illustrators. Among others, he represented Saul Steinberg, for whom Civita sold portfolios to Harper's Bazaar and Life Magazine. This enabled him to secure a United States visa for the Jewish artist.