Dorman H. Smith (American, 1892-1956) Deadbeat
Dorman H. Smith (American, 1892-1956) Deadbeat, San Francisco Examiner newspaper cartoon and A Test of Strength, Newspaper Enterprise Association newspaper cartoon (two works), 1938; 1940 India ink, gouache, and lithographic crayon on heavyweight paper 27 x 10-3x4 inches (68.6 x 27.3 cm) (Deadbeat, image) 18 x 15-1x2 inches (45.7 x 39.4 cm) (A Test of Strength, image) One signed lower left: Dorman H. Smith; One signed along right edge: Dorman H. Smith November 1933 saw the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognize the Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics (Russia) and exchange ambassadors. There were conditions, however, and an important one called for Russia to refrain from interfering in internal American affairs and prevent any organization that intended harm to the US or overthrow of its government from operating within the USSR. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin systematically violated both provisions. In this original Uncle Sam presents the bill demanding "no communist propaganda in America" and Stalin replies with "Put it on the cuff!", a common saying of the day conveying his intention to make good on his promise at some future date...or not at all. Deadbeat was published in the San Francisco Examiner and likely in other Hearst newspapers; Mr. Dorman was at the Examiner from 1933 to 1940 and his 2-column cartoon in this format regularly appeared on the editorial page in 1938-1940. (image size: 27" x 10.75") In the months after the surrender of Germany a prostrate Europe suffered from want, hunger, cold and despair. It was the strong arm of America's Uncle Sam, leader of the victorious Allies, that reached out to establish control over the western portions of a devastated Germany and bring relief from these afflictions. A Test of Strength by Dorman H. Smith was published November 26, 1945, in as many as 700 newspapers across the United States. Mr. Smith was on the art staff of NEA Service in 1921 and in the early-1930s moved to the Hearst organization; his work appeared in Chicago's Herald Examiner and the San Francisco Examiner. After service in World War II he returned to NEA. His cartoons were collected in the book One Hundred and One Cartoons by Dorman H. Smith, published in 1936. The artist inscribed and signed Deadbeat "with kindest personal regards — Dorman H. Smith" in the top margin; the name of the recipient has been scratched out. He inscribed and signed A Test of Strength to collector Murray Harris below the image: "For Murray Harris with kind regards – Dorman H. Smith." HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.comxTexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice
Condition
Toning to each sheet, most visible through margins. Handling creases along extreme edges of Deadbeat. Some very light scattered surface dirt and handling smudges most visible in areas of negative space and through margins; wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Each not framed.Sheets overall: 23 x 19.5 inches and 30.75 x 11.25 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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Dorman H. Smith (American, 1892-1956) Deadbeat, San Francisco Examiner newspaper cartoon and A Test of Strength, Newspaper Enterprise Association newspaper cartoon (two works), 1938; 1940 India ink, gouache, and lithographic crayon on heavyweight paper 27 x 10-3x4 inches (68.6 x 27.3 cm) (Deadbeat, image) 18 x 15-1x2 inches (45.7 x 39.4 cm) (A Test of Strength, image) One signed lower left: Dorman H. Smith; One signed along right edge: Dorman H. Smith November 1933 saw the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognize the Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics (Russia) and exchange ambassadors. There were conditions, however, and an important one called for Russia to refrain from interfering in internal American affairs and prevent any organization that intended harm to the US or overthrow of its government from operating within the USSR. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin systematically violated both provisions. In this original Uncle Sam presents the bill demanding "no communist propaganda in America" and Stalin replies with "Put it on the cuff!", a common saying of the day conveying his intention to make good on his promise at some future date...or not at all. Deadbeat was published in the San Francisco Examiner and likely in other Hearst newspapers; Mr. Dorman was at the Examiner from 1933 to 1940 and his 2-column cartoon in this format regularly appeared on the editorial page in 1938-1940. (image size: 27" x 10.75") In the months after the surrender of Germany a prostrate Europe suffered from want, hunger, cold and despair. It was the strong arm of America's Uncle Sam, leader of the victorious Allies, that reached out to establish control over the western portions of a devastated Germany and bring relief from these afflictions. A Test of Strength by Dorman H. Smith was published November 26, 1945, in as many as 700 newspapers across the United States. Mr. Smith was on the art staff of NEA Service in 1921 and in the early-1930s moved to the Hearst organization; his work appeared in Chicago's Herald Examiner and the San Francisco Examiner. After service in World War II he returned to NEA. His cartoons were collected in the book One Hundred and One Cartoons by Dorman H. Smith, published in 1936. The artist inscribed and signed Deadbeat "with kindest personal regards — Dorman H. Smith" in the top margin; the name of the recipient has been scratched out. He inscribed and signed A Test of Strength to collector Murray Harris below the image: "For Murray Harris with kind regards – Dorman H. Smith." HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.comxTexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice
Condition
Toning to each sheet, most visible through margins. Handling creases along extreme edges of Deadbeat. Some very light scattered surface dirt and handling smudges most visible in areas of negative space and through margins; wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Each not framed.Sheets overall: 23 x 19.5 inches and 30.75 x 11.25 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
