Cecil Jensen (American, 1902-1976) The Hand of F

Cecil Jensen (American, 1902-1976) The Hand of Friendship and Working Up to It Gradually, Chicago Daily News newspaper cartoons (two works), 1941-1942 India ink on heavyweight paper 13-1/4 x 11-1/4 inches (33.7 x 28.6 cm) (The Hand of Friendship, image) 13 x 11 inches (33.0 x 27.9 cm) (Working Up to It Gradually, image) Signed lower right: 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 many American newspapers. In two World War II era Chicago Daily News editorial cartoon originals published in 1941 and 1942, Cecil Jensen presents Uncle Sam dealing with Joseph Stalin of Russia and with a representative of the American public. In The Hand of Friendship the leader of the Soviet Union gains support from the USA and a taste for the "strength of U.S. industrial system" (capitalism). Working Up to It Gradually (image size: 13" x 11") presents Uncle Sam handing out tough wartime restrictions to Americans that include a "ban on more civilian goods" that will make them "tough enough to stand a shortage of Japs and Nazis." The Hand of Friendship is inscribed and signed by Cecil Jensen: "To Murray Harris with best wishes Cecil Jensen." Quantity: (2) HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

Condition
Extremely light toning to each sheet, most visible along extreme edges. A few very soft handling creases to each, visible under raking light. Some very light surface dirt and faint smudges around extreme edges. Wear and markings to margins of pages in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Each not framed. Each sheet overall: 14.5 x 13.25 inches and 16 x 14.25 inches
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