Charles Bartholomew (American, 1869-1949) Climbi
Charles Bartholomew (American, 1869-1949) Climbing the Monument and It May Be Hard to Let Go, Minneapolis Journal newspaper cartoons (two works), 1911-1914 India ink on heavyweight paper 15-1x4 x 13 inches (38.7 x 33.0 cm) (Climbing the Monument, image) 15-1x2 x 13-1x4 inches (39.4 x 33.7 cm) (It May Be Hard to Let Go, image) Each signed lower right: Bart Charles L. Bartholomew began work at the Minneapolis Journal as a reporter and sometimes illustrator before he was able to convince editor J. S. McClain that a full-time cartoonist was what the newspaper needed to connect with readers and boost circulation. He became one of the first cartoonists to create a daily newspaper editorial cartoon and over the years covered international, national and local events and stories. His work was reprinted in newspapers throughout the United States and Europe, and he remained the paper's editorial cartoonist to 1915. He signed his cartoons "Bart." It was in 1890 that Bartholomew convinced the newspaper's editor to publish his regular editorial cartoon on the front page and organized a daily meeting to decide upon the issue that would be addressed. The cartoons usually focused on the major news stories, and it was the artist's wit and courage that made his work so popular. He donated most of his original drawings and proof sheets to the Minneapolis Public Library in 1933. They have been digitized and are available at the website of the Hennepin County Library. Climbing The Monument was published in the Minneapolis Journal edition of April 17, 1911. It depicts "The New Congressman" struggling to climb the obelisk of a constitutional amendment, even with a boost, while Uncle Sam and others in the background cheer him on. On April 14 the House of Representatives passed the Rucker Resolution on to the Senate, which was to make Senators directly elected by the people. Bartholomew comments here on the efforts of newly elected congressional members, of which there were many after the 1910 midterms, to pass this important piece of constitutional lawmaking. It May Be Hard to Let Go was published on the front page of the April 21, 1914, edition of the Minneapolis Journal, and the headline stories for that day pertained directly to the volatile situation in Mexico. President Woodrow Wilson imposed an embargo on the sale of American arms and munitions to Mexico during the rebellions led by Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata against the fraudulently elected government of President Victoriano Huerta, 1913-1914. The newspaper reported on April 21st of the President's order to the U.S. Navy to seize the Customs House of the port of Vera Cruz to halt an illicit arms shipment to the Huerta government. (image size: 15.5" x 13.25") Quantity: (2) HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.comxTexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice
Condition
Light toning to Climbing the Monument, most visible in margins along extreme edges; light toning throughout to It may be Hard. Light scattered surface dirt to each, not affecting figures. Small stain at image edge in upper left of It may be Hard. A few extremely faint pin points of foxing to lower left of Climbing the monument, not affecting figures; one pin point of foxing to lower center of It may be Hard, not affecting figures. Minor bumps with soft crease at lower right corner of each. A few small tears at upper left edge of It may be Hard, not affecting central image. Wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Not framed. Each sheet overall: 19.25 x 14.25 inches and 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"
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Charles Bartholomew (American, 1869-1949) Climbing the Monument and It May Be Hard to Let Go, Minneapolis Journal newspaper cartoons (two works), 1911-1914 India ink on heavyweight paper 15-1x4 x 13 inches (38.7 x 33.0 cm) (Climbing the Monument, image) 15-1x2 x 13-1x4 inches (39.4 x 33.7 cm) (It May Be Hard to Let Go, image) Each signed lower right: Bart Charles L. Bartholomew began work at the Minneapolis Journal as a reporter and sometimes illustrator before he was able to convince editor J. S. McClain that a full-time cartoonist was what the newspaper needed to connect with readers and boost circulation. He became one of the first cartoonists to create a daily newspaper editorial cartoon and over the years covered international, national and local events and stories. His work was reprinted in newspapers throughout the United States and Europe, and he remained the paper's editorial cartoonist to 1915. He signed his cartoons "Bart." It was in 1890 that Bartholomew convinced the newspaper's editor to publish his regular editorial cartoon on the front page and organized a daily meeting to decide upon the issue that would be addressed. The cartoons usually focused on the major news stories, and it was the artist's wit and courage that made his work so popular. He donated most of his original drawings and proof sheets to the Minneapolis Public Library in 1933. They have been digitized and are available at the website of the Hennepin County Library. Climbing The Monument was published in the Minneapolis Journal edition of April 17, 1911. It depicts "The New Congressman" struggling to climb the obelisk of a constitutional amendment, even with a boost, while Uncle Sam and others in the background cheer him on. On April 14 the House of Representatives passed the Rucker Resolution on to the Senate, which was to make Senators directly elected by the people. Bartholomew comments here on the efforts of newly elected congressional members, of which there were many after the 1910 midterms, to pass this important piece of constitutional lawmaking. It May Be Hard to Let Go was published on the front page of the April 21, 1914, edition of the Minneapolis Journal, and the headline stories for that day pertained directly to the volatile situation in Mexico. President Woodrow Wilson imposed an embargo on the sale of American arms and munitions to Mexico during the rebellions led by Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata against the fraudulently elected government of President Victoriano Huerta, 1913-1914. The newspaper reported on April 21st of the President's order to the U.S. Navy to seize the Customs House of the port of Vera Cruz to halt an illicit arms shipment to the Huerta government. (image size: 15.5" x 13.25") Quantity: (2) HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.comxTexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice
Condition
Light toning to Climbing the Monument, most visible in margins along extreme edges; light toning throughout to It may be Hard. Light scattered surface dirt to each, not affecting figures. Small stain at image edge in upper left of It may be Hard. A few extremely faint pin points of foxing to lower left of Climbing the monument, not affecting figures; one pin point of foxing to lower center of It may be Hard, not affecting figures. Minor bumps with soft crease at lower right corner of each. A few small tears at upper left edge of It may be Hard, not affecting central image. Wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Not framed. Each sheet overall: 19.25 x 14.25 inches and 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"
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
