C. R. Klessig (American, 1903-1987) Another Requ

C. R. Klessig (American, 1903-1987) Another Request for Relief and Keep That Trap Set, Uncle, Sheboygan Press newspaper cartoons (two works), 1939; 1941 India ink, lithographic crayon, and gouache on heavyweight paper 9-1x2 x 9 inches (24.1 x 22.9 cm) (Another Request for Relief, image) 10-3x4 x 9 inches (27.3 x 22.9 cm) (Keep That Trap Set, image) Each signed lower right: C. R. Klessig Clarence Robert Klessig was the political cartoonist for the Sheboygan Press of Wisconsin and created two comic strips: It's a Great life and It's Butch. Uncle Sam is the central figure in both cartoons that were prominently featured on the newspaper's editorial page. The Sheboygan Press' masthead read: "The Past Is Gone x We Face To-day." Another Request for Relief published on March 9, 1939, depicts Uncle Sam still carrying the load of support to unemployed American workers via the New Deal programs P. W. A. (Public Works Administration, 1933) and W. P. A. (Works Progress Administration, 1935) established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. Even after nearly a decade of the Great Depression "Private Industry" had not created jobs for many who desired them. In June 1941 the Federal Bureau of Investigation broke the Duquesne Spy Ring and arrested its members. the network was led by Frederick Duquesne and thirty-three arrests were made, effectively destroying German intelligence operations in the United States. In the same month the FBI raided the offices of the Socialist Workers Party in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, arresting twenty-nine members under the 1940 Smith Act. Keep That Trap Set, Uncle was published on July 18, 1941. Uncle Sam wields the club of "Deportation" and the roundup of spies and "revolution plotters" is portrayed as a wolf caught in a trap. (image size: 10.75" x 9") Another Request for Relief is inscribed by the artist "To M.A. Harris with best wishes of..." Quantity: (2) HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.comxTexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

Condition
Toning to each sheet, most visible along extreme edges. Some very light surface dirt and faint smudges visible in areas of negative space and along extreme edges. Wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Each not framed. Each sheet overall: 10 x 10 inches and 11.25 x 10 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"