Burt Thomas (American, 1881-1964) Very Early Chr

Burt Thomas (American, 1881-1964) Very Early Christmas Shopping, Detroit News newspaper cartoon, 1937 India ink on heavyweight paper 10 x 12 inches (25.4 x 30.5 cm) (image) Signed lower left: Thomas ©1937 Burt Thomas' cartoons were published in the Detroit News and syndicated to newspapers across the United States by the North American Newspaper Alliance. After getting his start at the Cleveland Press Thomas joined the staff of the Detroit News in 1912 and remained with that paper to his retirement in 1951. He created and drew the comic strips Our Neighbors and Mister Straphanger, and his work appeared in Judge and Life magazines. The Democratic Party held supermajorities in both houses of Congress as a result of the 1936 general election, yet relations with President Franklin D. Roosevelt were not always smooth. After the American economy experienced an upturn in 1936 the President eased off on massive subsidies and refocused on a balanced budget. A recession took hold in 1937. FDR called for a "Special Session" of Congress to convene on November 15th to pass additional New Deal legislation to aid the economy. This came on the heels of his failed attempt to pack the Supreme Court with judges favorable to his program; Congress balked and conservative opposition increased. Very Early Christmas Shopping was published in the Detroit News and many other newspapers across the United States in early November 1937. Little boy FDR may be carrying a big stick and a big agenda, but the Congressional Santa Claus isn't about to be a rubber stamp to the President. HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.comxTexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

Condition
Very light toning to sheet. Two pin points of surface dirt in upper region above Santa; very light smudges lower right near chimney. Wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Not framed. Sheet overall: 11.5 x 13.75 inches Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "AS IS"