Cecil Jensen (American, 1902-1976) Inspiration F

Cecil Jensen (American, 1902-1976) Inspiration For a Labor Day Speech, Chicago Daily News newspaper cartoon, August 26, 1942 India ink on heavyweight paper 13 x 11 inches (33.0 x 27.9 cm) (image) Signed lower left: Cecil Jensen Cecil Jensen was an editorial cartoonist and comic strip creator who joined the staff of the Chicago Daily News in 1928, where his work appeared alongside that of the great Vaughn Shoemaker. In 1946, his comic strip Elmo debuted (later Elmo and Debbie) and it ran to 1961. During World War II he drew a series of cartoons titled Colonel M'Cosmic which caricatured Colonel Robert McCormick, publisher of the rival Chicago Tribune newspaper. His editorial cartoons and Elmo were syndicated to other American newspapers. In the August 26, 1942 edition of the Dayton Herald an editorial appeared beside this cartoon calling upon Congress to "realize that this country is bigger than any state or bloc or organization" and to "stop voting bigger subsidies for silver, larger benefits for farmers, greater privileges for labor, higher tariffs for business." This is clearly the message of Mr. Jensen's delightful cartoon depicting President Franklin Roosevelt peering over mounds of pending national legislation related to the draft, war, taxes, and inflation while a lustful Congressman focuses on the upcoming "Election," personified by the comely secretary sitting on his lap. From the President's Labor Day radio address of September 1, 1942: In times of national emergency, one fact is brought home to us, clearly and decisively—the fact that all of our rights are interdependent. The right of freedom of worship would mean nothing without freedom of speech. And the rights of free labor as we know them today could not survive without the rights of free enterprise. That is the indestructible bond that is between us—between all of us Americans: interdependence of interests, privileges, opportunities, responsibilities—interdependence of rights. That is what unites us—men and women of all sections, of all races, of all faiths, of all occupations, of all political beliefs. That is why we have been able to defy and frustrate the enemies who believed that they could divide us and conquer us from within. This original is signed and inscribed "with best wishes Cecil Jensen" at lower left; the name of the original recipient has been scratched out. HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.comxTexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

Condition
Scattered handling creases with a few very minor subsequent tears along left edge, not affecting central image. Notable stain lower left, around area of signature. Light scattered handling smudges along extreme edges; a few scattered pin point stains visible in margins. Wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Not framed. Sheet overall: 16.25 x 14 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"