Stripper's Guide

Labels: Herriman's LA Examiner Cartoons

# posted by Allan Holtz @ 8:18 AM 0 comments

From 1902 to 1905 he worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer, the New York World (briefly) and T.C. McClure's Syndicate...

His first comic was Foolish Ferdinand…Mary and Her Little Lamb was another, longer running feature, and Sambo and His Funny Noises ran until Marriner's death….

Marriner's most enduring and engaging effort, however, was Wags, the Dog That Adopted a Man. It...ran from 1905 to 1908, with reprints years thereafter by boiler-plate syndicates.

Mystery in Death of Artist in Fire

Shot Heard Before House Burst into Flames—Police Seek Burglars.

Hackensack, N.J., Oct. 9 — The fact that a shot was fired just before the home of William Marriner, an artist, at Harrington Park, burst into flames at 3 o'clock this morning, led County Detective Blauvelt of Hackensack, to make an investigation.

The artist's body was found in the ruins of his home burned almost beyond recognition. It was near the front door. The authorities think that Marriner, who was alone at the time, may have interrupted a burglar and was shot. It was accepted as strange that his hat and handkerchief were found in the roadway near his home.

Walter Bogert, who owns the house that was burned, gave two strokes on the fire alarm, but as the signal is seven strokes the firemen did not respond.

The residence was valued at $6,000. Mrs. Marriner had been visiting relatives in New York City with her son. A neighbor hurried to notify her. Marriner was said to have been employed on "The Cosmopolitan Magazine."

Told of Arson Threat

Sleuths Say Dead Artist Planned to Burn Village.

Hackensack, N.J., Oct. 10 — County Detectives W.V.A. Blauvelt and John W. Courter, of Hackensack, after an investigation of the death of William Marriner, a magazine artist, whose charred body was found in the ruins of his summer home at Harrington Park yesterday, are of opinion that Marriner died a firebug and a probable suicide. The detectives base their conclusion on an interview with Carl Hoberman, a neighbor of Marriner, late last night.

"Marriner was under the influence of liquor on Thursday afternoon, after a visit to Westwood, and when I stopped to speak to him he remarked: 'If my wife doesn't come home tonight, I'll burn my house and the whole village.' " Hoberman told the detectives.

County Physician Samuel E. Armstrong of Rutherford, who ordered the investigation, says he now feels satisfied that the artist was not a murder victim.

Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles

# posted by Allan Holtz @ 7:30 AM 1 comments

Herman J. Leipziger traveled twice to the United States. On the second trip, in 1881, he established himself and, a year later, sent for his family. The Leipzigers sailed aboard the S.S. Cassius from Stockholm, Sweden to New York City; they arrived on June 16, 1882 and were greeted by Herman. According to the passenger list the family included his wife, Hanna, and their children: Simon, Sara, [Frederick] Isak, Georg, Nathan, Leopold and Emil. The next day the family made their way to Detroit where Hanna had relatives (for details go to Magical Past-Times to read Nate Leipzig's autobiography). Herman was listed in the Detroit City Directory 1882; he was a clerk and resided at 52 Abbott.

The Leipzigers were listed in two Detroit directories. Frederick E. [sic] was employed as a joiner according to the Detroit City Directory 1891; he lived with his family at 378 Monroe Avenue. In R.L. Polk and Co's Detroit City Directory 1892-1893, Frederick E. [sic] was an engraver; the Leipzigers lived at 486 Monroe Avenue. The Detroit City Directory 1893 listed Frederick I., artist at the Evening News; the same information continued in subsequent directories through 1899. R.L. Polk and Co's Detroit City Directory 1894-1895 had the same information. The Detroit City Directory 1898 said Herman died on January 7, 1898. In 1899 Leipzigers' address was 708 Fourth Avenue.

Frederick Isaac Leipziger was born in Stockholm, Sweden in December 1869, as recorded in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census. (According to Find a Grave, the day of birth was the 15th.) His occupation was cartoonist. The household consisted of Hanna, Frederick, Nathan, Leopold and Samuel, her nephew.

According to the 1910 census, Leipziger and Hattie married in 1906; they had a son, Howard. They lived in Detroit at 287 Commonwealth Avenue. His occupation was cartoonist at a newspaper. The book, Family Trails: Michigan Source Material, Ethnic Studies in Michigan, Volume 3, recorded two family tragedies: on October 17, 1910, Howard died ten days after the birth of his brother William, who died three years later on December 28, 1913. 

Leipziger was listed in the Catalogue of Copyright Entries: Pamphlets, Leaflets, Contributions (1912) on page 1045: 

Leipziger (Frederick Isaac) Detroit. Doings of the Van Loons. (McClure newspaper syndicate. New York. Daily comics.) Proof. [followed by various publication dates]

Doings of the Van Loons Sundays and dailies can be viewed at Chronicling America, enter "F. Leipziger" in the search box.

Leipziger, a Mason, was listed on page 403 of the book, Transactions of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, of the State of Michigan (1918).

In 1920 the Leipzigers lived in Highland Park, Michigan at 123 Rhode Island Avenue; the couple had a daughter, Jean. His occupation was salesman in the coal industry. Apparently, Leipziger's brother, Nate, and his wife resided at the same address for a period of time; that address was on Nate's World War I draft card. He was a magician who toured as "Nate Leipzig" on various theater circuits and aboard.

In 1930 the Leipziger family had moved back to Detroit at 3752 Cartes Avenue. Leipziger's occupation was salesman in the real estate industry. His brother, Leo, a cigar salesman, lived with them. 

Leipziger's passed away November 27, 1935 according to Find a Grave. His wife died in Southfield, Michigan in May 1968.

Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles

# posted by Allan Holtz @ 8:07 AM 2 comments

'Mysterious Island' Makes Junior Eagle Debut

With this issue of the Junior Eagle we bring you the first strip in a regular comic series done especially for us by one of own members—Raymond Witlin, aged 14, who lives at 2817 W. 37th St., Brooklyn. A cartoon devotee from early childhood. Raymond has an unusual talent, riotous imagination and a delicious sense of humor. You’ll find that out soon enough as you follow the amazing adventures of his cartoon characters in that saga of scientific extravaganza, “The Mysterious Island.”

Here's a close-up of our feature cartoonist written by himself. Step right up and say, “Howdy.” Ray!

”I was born 14 years ago, in the congested lungs of New York. My early childhood was rather uneventful, except for a broken nose, which is only a minor detail. Aside from that, I am like all other manliness.

The folks, who always had a hard time knocking out a living, discovered early that I was slightly “lit” on the subject of “funnies,” and since then I have been the family genius. I should say I’m not quite as good as that, but why spoil their fun?

My literary work has always met with the amused “eyebrow lifting” of my teachers. They think it's “cracked,” but then so was a fellow by the name of Edgar Allan Poe. I’m in the sixth term at Abraham Lincoln High School and a confirmed inhabitant of Coney Island, where the dust lies an inch thick and the sun is always shining.

I like baseball, volley ball and swimming. My favorite comic is “Hairbreadth Harry,” stalwart warrior of Justice. My ambition? Well, what do you think?

As for the “Mysterious Island,” I hope you like it. The ideas for this stupendous production have sprung from everywhere—even my own brain. If you have any ideas that you’d like me to use as the story progresses, let me know. And now—on with the show!”

Labels: Obscurities

# posted by Allan Holtz @ 7:49 AM 1 comments

Paul Dowling Robinson was born in Kenton, Ohio on June 19, 1898. He was the only child of William and Cecil. His father was an iron moulder according to the 1900 U.S. Federal Census.

The 1910 census has the Robinson family in Buck, Ohio, operating a home farm. Paul Robinson signed his World War I draft card on September 12, 1918. He was living at 1219 West Jefferson in Sandusky, Ohio. At the time he was a demurrage clerk for a railroad company. His description was medium height, medium build, with blue eyes and light hair. The Sandusky Register (Ohio) reported Robinson's move to New York City in its June 21, 1919 issue.

Railway Clerk Now Cartoonist

Paul D. Robinson, formerly of 1219 W. Jefferson st., is now located with the Bray Cartoon moving picture studios at New York. Robinson, until two months ago was a clerk in the local Big Four freight offices.

Young Robinson, who had a natural talent for drawing, went from Sandusky direct to New York with the intention of making good in the art game. He secured a place in the Bray studios and is now drawing animated cartoons which are shown in the movie theaters throughout the entire country.

Wikipedia has a page on Robinson. "Before 'Etta Kett,' Robinson collaborated in 1924 with Tim Early and the screenwriter and short story author, H.C. Witwer. Their 'Samson and Delia' strip ran for two years. Robinson also drew 'The Love-Byrds,' a comic strip about the cheerful couple Peggy and Howard Byrd. 'The Love-Byrds' ran from the early 1920s to 1925." [Allan butts in -- Robinson took over Samson and Delia from Witwer and Early, and it lasted less than a year; and I find no evidence that an earlier version of The Lovebyrds exists than the topper to Etta Kett, which began in 1932]

Don Markstein's Toonopedia said this, "When King Features Syndicate began distributing 'Etta Kett' (December of 1925), it was just a panel about the social graces. But that was a very limited topic, and had to be expanded before Etta's series could become a full-scale daily strip and Sunday page." [Allan butts in -- Etta Kett was originally distributed by Editors Feature Service]

Robinson's "Just Among Us Girls" appeared as a panel cartoon beginning the week of August 15, 1927. His tenure on the cartoon ended on April 13 1935. His replacement was Ruth Carroll. The Marion Star (Ohio) published, on August 30, 1927, "Paul Robinson, Cartoonist of 'Just Among Us GIrls' Fame, Is Native of Kenton." Unfortunately much of it is illegible. Here are a few details that can be read:

In New York City Paul enrolled with an art school, and later completed his

studies aboard.

He has drawn humorous illustrations for general magazines including Life,

Film Fun and Judge. (illegible) he drew comic illustrations for H. C. Witwer.

His first comic strip appeared daily in 1,700 papers throughout the country.

In 1930 Robinson was married and lived in Belleville, New Jersey. His wife and daughter were both named Letitia. According to the census, he was 24 in 1922 when he married. His occupation was a cartoonist for a newspaper. The Nevada State Journal (Reno, Nevada) published, on February 23, 1932, the following article, "Originator of Etta Kett Tells Story of Life."

"Art marked me for its own at a tender age," says Paul Robinson, creator of the popular comic strip, "Etta Kett," an exclusive feature in The Nevada State Journal. "The mural decorations I painted on my classroom Halloween night proved sensational. A special meeting of the school board was held

and they voted unanimously that I was just wasting my time in their institution.

"Many times I am asked what course I took to become a cartoonist. For the benefit of those who are trying to become successful in this work, let me say that I took the course of least resistance.

"For a long time I produced animated cartoons, drawing for nearly all the large film corporations. In one year I worked for eight different companies. Even to this day I am trying to break myself of the habit I formed in those days of working with my hat and coat on.

"Next, the humorous weekly field claimed by [sic] attention, and from there I climbed the fence over into the newspaper field, where the grass looked 'long greener.' To make a long story less boredom, I drew practically every kind of cartoon from sport to editorial, and at one time more that 1,800  newspapers were being served with my work.

"Of the 'several' comic strips I have drawn, I think 'Etta Kett' my supreme inspiration. She typifies in my mind the ideal girl of today and in her I try to mirror all the daring vivaciousness, all the sweetness and carefree abandon of the modern girl."

Robinson passed away on September 21, 1974. The New York Times reported his death on September 23:

Paul D. Robinson, creator of the cartoon strip "Etta Kett," which appeared in 50 newspapers across the country more that 40 years, died Saturday at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, N.J. He was 76 years old and lived at 14 Hillbury Road, Essex Fells, N.J.

Mr. Robinson joined the King Features syndicate in 1925, when he started the strip. "Etta Kett" dealt with problems and situations involving social etiquette.

He was a member of the Banshee Club of New York, a social organization of cartoonists.

Surviving are his widow, Catherine Dilzer Robinson; two daughters, Mrs. Franklin R. Saul and Mrs. Robert Failor, and eight grandchildren.

Ruth's art training was covered on page 217 in the book, Painting the Town: Cityscapes of New York (Yale University Press, 2000).

Ruth Carroll graduated from Vassar College and thereafter established roots in New York City, where she pursued training at the Art Students League under Cecilia Beaux, Charles Bridgman, and Andrew Dasburg, the last of whom probably influenced her Cezannesque approach to painting. In the

1920s her work was exhibited at the Newark Museum and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. She later changed course within the art field, developing a career as an author-illustrator of children's books. From 1936 through the end of World War II, she had a staff position at King Features

Syndicate…

Durward Howes' book, American Women, 1935-1940 (Gale Research, 1981), published a concise profile of Ruth on page 151.

CARROLL, Ruth Crombie (Mrs. Archer L. Carroll), artist, author; b. Lancaster, N.Y., Sept. 24, 1899: d. Frank Howard and Sallie Belle (Underbill) Robinson; m. Archer Latrobe Carroll, Jan. 24, 1928; hus. occ. writer. Edn. AB, Vassar Coll., 1922. Church: Presbyterian. Politics: Republican. Mem. Artists Guild.

Hobbies: photography, theater, reading. Fav. rec. or sport: swimming. Author: What Whiskers Did; Chimp and Chump; Bounce and the Bunnies (Junior Literary Guild choice). Exhibited landscape, Phila. Acad.; three landscapes bought by Newark Mus. Home: 39 W. Eighth St., N.Y. City.

Alameda Girl to Wed in Pittsburgh

Miss Ruth Boltz, daughter of Mrs. S. A. Boltz, will become the bride in January of Walter D. Van Arsdale of Pittsburgh. Miss Boltz is a popular young woman of this city and has a host of friends who are interested in her coming marriage.

The wedding is to take place in Pittsburgh next month. Van Arsdale is a member of a prominent family of the Eastern city. His bride-elect and her mother are to go East soon.

Van Arsdale is well known in this city, having made several visits with friends here. He is a newspaper man and is prominently connected with one of the Pittsburgh dailies.

After a honeymoon of a few weeks the couple is to reside in Pittsburgh. Van Arsdale having prepared an attractive bungalow there.

In the 1920 U.S. Federal Census, the Van Arsdale family lived in Hempstead, New York at 6 Edna Court. The parents had two sons, Leonard and Carroll. Van Arsdale's occupation was artist for a newspaper. On December 28, 1927, the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune (Wisconsin) published an ad for the serialized story of Charles A. Lindbergh's flight to Paris. The portrait of Lindbergh was by Van Arsdale; beneath his signature was the following text:

A sketch of Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh by Walter Van Arsdale, celebrated magazine and syndicate artist and frequent contributor to the International Feature Service Daily and Weekly Magazines, "Life,"

& "Judge."

Walter David Van Arsdale, 78, of Manchester, an award-winning artist, died last night.

His work won prizes throughout the east, and appeared in numerous magazines. Van Arsdale had studios in New York and in the Manchester area.

He was a native of Pittsburgh, and had resided in South Coventry, near here, nearly 25 years.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Carroll Foster of Manchester, and a son, Leonard V. Van Arsdale of Allendale, N.J.

Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles

# posted by Allan Holtz @ 7:48 AM 3 comments

Ad from Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10/16/1908

She Won't Live in Atlanta

Artist Dean Asks Divorce Because Wife Harks Back to New York.

Atlanta, Aug. 3—Charging that his wife scorns Atlanta and Atlanta people and for that reason refuses to live with him here, Robert Jerome Dean, the artist of Uncle Remus Magazine, has filed suit for divorce on the ground of desertion. 

Dean came to Atlanta from New York in 1905 and his wife followed in a few months. Dean alleges that from the first Mrs. Dean disliked Atlanta, and said she could not live here. Mrs. Dean soon returned to the home of her parents at Blaisdell [sic], N.Y.

She came to Atlanta, however, a second time, but finally declared life was impossible with Atlanta people and then returned to Blaisdell for good. Dean says the only provocation for Mrs. Dean leaving him was that she could not endure the Atlanta spirit.

Detail from ad in Atlanta Constitution, 11/1/1908

Zotwots New York Herald page, 10/11/1914

Robert Dean, 72, Once Cartoonist

Former Artist Here for Herald and Journal Is Dead—Also Worked for Magazines

Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Jan. 27—Robert J. Dean, retired newspaper cartoonist, died yesterday of a heart attack at his home in Wappinger Falls. He was 72 [sic] years old.

Born in Chattanooga, Tenn., Mr. Dean was a cartoonist for The Buffalo Times and later for The Atlanta News. He joined the Uncle Remus Magazine when Joel Chandler Harris was its editor. Later, in New York he was employed by Collier's Magazine, The New York Journal and The Sunday Herald.

On The Herald he had a weekly page featuring "Zotmot" [sic] Elves, with drawings and verse for children. Later he became associated with the New York Telegraph, eventually becoming its assistant publisher. He left The Post in 1926 to make his home in Dutchess County.

Surviving are his widow, the former Sally [sic] Conwell; a sister, Mrs. Norman Blackwell of Torrence, Calif., and a brother, Jesse H. Dean of Torrence.

Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles

# posted by Allan Holtz @ 8:38 AM 1 comments

Labels: Jim Ivey's Sunday Comics

# posted by Allan Holtz @ 8:45 AM 0 comments