Saturday, June 20, 2015
Herriman Saturday
Sunday, September 27 1908 -- Herriman comments on a pair of boxing stories today. First, Jim Barry is apparently considering a fight against Jack Johnson (it would never come off). Second, lightweights Danny Webster and Ad Wolgast are set to meet in the ring next week at Jim Jeffries' Arena in LA. Wolgast would win that night, and had a long boxing career, but his is a very sad story of a punch-drunk fighter who ended up in and out of mental sanitariums.
Labels: Herriman's LA Examiner Cartoons
Friday, June 19, 2015
Sci-Friday starring Connie
Connie, November 20 1938, courtesy of Cole Johnson.
Sorry,
but the November 1938 strips are
missing from the images Cole sent me, so we'll have to make do with
black and white versions
Labels: Connie Sci-Friday
Thursday, June 18, 2015
(Not Really) Obscurity of the Day: Citizen Kane
Here's a strip that had me perplexed for a long time. I have had the above tearsheet for years, and hadn't been able to find out anything about it. I did know a few things -- the 1979 Sunday strip titled Citizen Kane is:
- by Larry Wright, the editorial cartoonist and creator of Wright Angles and Kit 'n' Carlyle
- was distributed by United Feature Syndicate
- had only seen one other tearsheet of it, photocopied many years ago for me by collector Gordon Campbell, and also dated 1979
- that there is no record of the strip in the E&P yearbooks or in the United Features in-house database
Why do I tell you all this? I just discovered that although I correctly noted this alternate title for Wright Angles in its listing in my book, I failed to remove the bogus listing for Citizen Kane. So if you have a copy of the book (and if so, bless you!) get out your magic marker and put a big X through listing #1172. Then Kyu!
.... Rosebud ....
Labels: Obscurities
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Walter Wellman
Walter Jesse Wellman was born in East Jaffrey, New Hampshire on May 25, 1879, according to his World War II draft card. Descendants of Thomas Wellman of Lynn, Massachusetts (1918) said he was born in Dublin, New Hampshire, which is 8.8 miles / 14.1 kilometers northwest of Jaffrey.
In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Wellman was the second of two sons born to Frank Pierce, a painter, and Mary Jane. They lived in Jaffrey. Picture Postcards in the United States, 1893–1918 (1976) said Wellman graduated from high school in Winchendon, Massachusetts.
The 1900 census recorded Wellman in Boston, Massachusetts at 83 Montgomery Street. He was a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The 1901 Technique, the school yearbook, printed a photograph of Wellman in the Glee Club.
Candidates for Degrees and Thesis SubjectsIn 1902, Wellman graduated from MIT. He was named in the 38th Annual Catalogue 1902–1903.
Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Science
Walter Jesse Wellman. A design for a railroad station
Title of Thesis of Successful Candidates for Graduation, June 1902Descendants of Thomas Wellman said Wellman married Matilda Richie in New York City on June 14, 1905. Census records show she was eight years older than Wellman.
Walter Jesse Wellman. A Non-Terminal Railroad Station.
Picture Postcards in the United States said Wellman’s “college calendar designs caught the eye of the editors of the Boston Globe, who commissioned him to do comics and picture puzzles.” After college, Wellman moved to New York City. American Newspaper Comics (2012) said he produced several comics for the New York World.
Wee Willie and the Little Big Hat Sisters
Ardent Archie
Misadventures of Archie
It’s Very Strange But It’s Also Very True
Little Tommy Rot and Miss Heartless Flirt
Women Have Such Funny Ways
The Rude Reverses of Reggie
’Tis Love That Makes the World Go ’Round
Mister Hothead—He’s Soon Over It
Splash! Splash! Splash!
For the Boston Herald, Wellman drew Oh, Where, Oh, Where, Has That Willie Boy Gone?, and If. Little Tommy Tot and Miss Sweetness Yum-Yum was for the Boston Globe.
Wellman made comic postcards and applied for copyrights. The Catalogue of Copyright Entries, Part 4, Engravings, etc., New Series, Volume 1, Number 6, August 9, 1906, had two entries:
Wellman (Walter), New York, N.Y.
How she pulled his leg. (F 44107, July 23, 1906; 2 c. July 18, 1906.) 1099
Wellman (Walter), New York, N.Y.The Bookseller, Newsdealer and Stationer, February 1, 1909, reported Wellman’s latest work.
Did this ever happen to you? (F 46068, Oct. 5, 1906; 2 c. oct. 5, 1906.) 7071
Walter Wellman, the cartoonist postcard publisher, is making a ten-strike with his new series of Woman’s Rights postcards. The Suffragette is pictured in the most humorous way.The original art to one of Wellman’s Suffragette postcards can be viewed at Heritage Auctions.
The MIT 1909 Register of Former Students had this address: “Wellman, Walter J., IV, ’02. Cartoonist-Publisher, 395 Broadway, New York, N.Y.”
Wellman and Matilda lived at 2125 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan, New York City, as recorded in the 1910 census. He was a cartoonist and publisher. Several postcards by Wellman were entered in the Catalogue of Copyright Entries, Part 4, Works of Art, New Series, Volume 5, Numbers 40–43, October 1910.
Wellman (Walter), New York, N.Y. [25374–25382Wellman’s address appeared in the Bulletin of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Register of Former Students, May 1915: “Wellman, Walter J(esse), ’01, IV, ’01. Cartoonist, 108 Fulton St., New York, N.Y.”
Beauty isn’t all on the surface.—Girl’s a goose to fall in love with a quack doctor.—Here’s to the girl with the hobble skirt.—I haven’t got a million.—I like girls with white faces and green-backs.—I’m saving it all for you.—Just make a noise like a petticoat.—Love will find a way. © Sept. 28, 1910; K 14342–14349.
We didn’t do nothin’ but we won’t do it again. © July 8, 1910; 2 c. July 16, 1910; K 11950.
Wellman was a contributor to Motion Picture Magazine (November and December 1916) and Cartoons Magazine (July 1917).
Wellman’s article, “Humanizing the House Organ Via the Cartoon”, and cartoon, Raggles the Rover, was published in Postage, April 1918. He also advertised in Postage.
Wellman signed his World War I draft card on September 12, 1918. The self-employed cartoonist resided in Montvale, New Jersey. His description was medium height, slender build, blue eyes and light hair color.
In the 1920 census Wellman’s name was misspelled as “Welming”. He and his wife lived on Fairview Avenue in Montvale. His occupation was magazine cartoonist. Picture Postcards in the United States said Wellman supplied art to Harper’s Bazar, Life, Judge, Puck, and Woman’s Home Companion. Wellman advertised in The Editor, April 25, 1920.
In 1930 the Wellmans remained in Montvale but lived on Hillcrest Avenue. He was a commercial artist. In 1938, Wellman’s puzzles appeared in More Fun Comics.
Wellman’s address remained the same in the 1940 census. His occupation was cartoonist. Wellman said he was self-employed when he registered with the draft board on April 25, 1942. The card said he was five feet four-and-a-half inches and 127 pounds.
Metropostcard.com said Wellman passed away in 1949 but did not identify the source.
Metropostcard.com said Wellman passed away in 1949 but did not identify the source.
—Alex Jay
Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles
Comments:
Hello Allan-
I've found another Wellman series, "A FOOT OF FUN". it has no copyright on it, might be self syndicated. Ran in The Saratogian, ((Saratoga Springs, NY)) At least from 7 July 1913 to 22 April 1914. It's a vertical strip, no re-occuring characters, just sort of a stream-of-consciousness thing, covering anything that happens to be on WW's mind, the weather, punny proverbs, daffy definitions, fashion hints, cartoon lessons,etc., and every so often, his beloved insects under the subtitle, "Bugology".
The Saratogian ran the Inquirer strip "Excuse Me!" at the same time, so maybe they have some relationship.
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I've found another Wellman series, "A FOOT OF FUN". it has no copyright on it, might be self syndicated. Ran in The Saratogian, ((Saratoga Springs, NY)) At least from 7 July 1913 to 22 April 1914. It's a vertical strip, no re-occuring characters, just sort of a stream-of-consciousness thing, covering anything that happens to be on WW's mind, the weather, punny proverbs, daffy definitions, fashion hints, cartoon lessons,etc., and every so often, his beloved insects under the subtitle, "Bugology".
The Saratogian ran the Inquirer strip "Excuse Me!" at the same time, so maybe they have some relationship.
# posted by 
: 1/13/2022 1:31 AM
: 1/13/2022 1:31 AM Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Obscurity of the Day: Dippy Dope
It has been way too long since we've seen wacky Walter Wellman on the blog, so let's remedy that with Dippy Dope. This strip, which had no continuing characters except for the crazy cartoonist who drew it, is a treasure trove of wordplay and breaking of the fourth wall. Wellman was having so darn much fun writing this stuff that some of his strips hardly have any room left for the drawings. Well, in Wellman's case maybe that's not the worst fate.
Check out some of the great stuff going on here -- characters complaining about the cartoonist, one character smushing a word balloon into the others mouth, a character on the ceiling talking in an upside-down word balloon, and so on. You just don't see this sort of thing in the era of Dippy Dope, which ran from about 1911 to 1913, and was probably distributed by World Color Printing.
What a shame that Walter Wellman's work, which was ubiquitous way back then, is utterly forgotten and obscure today. Well, the good news is that Alex Jay has dug up the dirt on this nutball, and we'll learn which insane asylum he lived in tomorrow.
Thanks to Cole Johnson for the scans!
Labels: Obscurities
Comments:
Allan,
Have you ever read Molly and the Bear? It's a terrific comic. You should post about it!
http://www.gocomics.com/mollyandthebear
Post a Comment
Have you ever read Molly and the Bear? It's a terrific comic. You should post about it!
http://www.gocomics.com/mollyandthebear
# posted by : 6/16/2015 6:45 PM
: 6/16/2015 6:45 PM Monday, June 15, 2015
Obscurity of the Day: Johnny on the Spot
Here's one of those strips about a guy who can't seem to hold a job. These were pretty common back in the 1900s, and this one generally runs true to form. There are only two things that make Johnny on the Spot sort of interesting. First, his jobs tend to be more unusual than in the typical strip of this kind. Whereas the typical jobs are waiter, clerk, salesman, etc., Johnny at least doesn't go for the mundane -- above we see him impersonating a doctor, operating a lake boat, and as a dog-catcher. What these strips lack in bust-a-gut humor they more than make up for in historical insight. I especially like that the doctor isn't particularly ridiculed for using electric therapy; the gag is purely based on Johnny not knowing how to properly regulate his quack medical device.
The second interesting thing about Johnny on the Spot are the creators. The originator of the series signed himself Kley. Now that immediately sets off alarm bells that it might be Heinrich Kley, the famed illustrator/painter/cartoonist, but wishful thinking aside, there is no way that our Kley is the same guy. Our Kley's cartooning is rather primitive, nothing like the works of the master (warning: link is NSFW).
Mr. Kley drew the strip from March 29 to June 7 1903, and was then replaced by Everrett Lowry, who rarely signed the strip for some reason. He might not have signed at first because he was working at the Chicago Chronicle, but that gig ended in short order, and he continued doing Johnny on the Spot mostly incognito until the end of the series, on March 6 1904.
Johnny on the Spot ran in the C.J. Hirt copyrighted version of the McClure Syndicate Sunday section, and was later reprinted in the McClure sections of 1906.
Thanks to the late Cole Johnson, who provided the scans.
Labels: Obscurities
Comments:
Hello Allan-
It would seem there's an inconsistant idea of just what a boy hero in a strip could do in Edwardian times, and still have the reader's affection. Somebody like Muggsy could be an all around jerk, but he was always pulling dirty tricks on people we could not sympathize with, like cops, grouchy shopkeepers, or bunco men. I've never seen where we'd be asked to like a dog catcher, seemingly a universal villian in kid's stories.
The NEWARK (NJ) ADVERTISER had, in 1906-7 reached a low point after seventy-four years in business, and in desperation for sales had become a lively, pictures-and-fudgepans Hearst-like paper, and even invested in the new exciting sales booster of comics- in their case, two ready-print sections a week, a WCP issue on Saturday and a McClure on Wednesday, like this one. It didn't help, and the Advertiser sunk below the waves in 1907, now totally forgotten.
They left behind some funnies for us to gorp at a century later, though.
It would seem there's an inconsistant idea of just what a boy hero in a strip could do in Edwardian times, and still have the reader's affection. Somebody like Muggsy could be an all around jerk, but he was always pulling dirty tricks on people we could not sympathize with, like cops, grouchy shopkeepers, or bunco men. I've never seen where we'd be asked to like a dog catcher, seemingly a universal villian in kid's stories.
The NEWARK (NJ) ADVERTISER had, in 1906-7 reached a low point after seventy-four years in business, and in desperation for sales had become a lively, pictures-and-fudgepans Hearst-like paper, and even invested in the new exciting sales booster of comics- in their case, two ready-print sections a week, a WCP issue on Saturday and a McClure on Wednesday, like this one. It didn't help, and the Advertiser sunk below the waves in 1907, now totally forgotten.
They left behind some funnies for us to gorp at a century later, though.
# posted by : 6/15/2015 8:57 AM
: 6/15/2015 8:57 AM
Hi Allen -- I've always wondered-- what is considered to be the first "modern" comic strip post-WWI? Gasoline Alley? Bringing Up Father? Krazy Kat?
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Sunday, June 14, 2015
Jim Ivey's Sunday Comics
Comments:
Jim,
You have made retirement look like the dream I hope it to be. Hard to believe when I met you I was a teenager and now I just signed my retirement papers (although I won't officially retire for 4 to 5 years).
Hope to get over to see you in the next month or so.
best,
Craig Zablo
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You have made retirement look like the dream I hope it to be. Hard to believe when I met you I was a teenager and now I just signed my retirement papers (although I won't officially retire for 4 to 5 years).
Hope to get over to see you in the next month or so.
best,
Craig Zablo
# posted by : 6/14/2015 10:42 AM
: 6/14/2015 10:42 AM 