Dorman H. Smith (American, 1892-1956) Well, Here

Dorman H. Smith (American, 1892-1956) Well, Here We Go on the First Leg and $ for the War, $ for Peace, Newspaper Enterprise Association Syndicated cartoons (two works), April 25, 1947; circa 1950 India ink and lithographic crayon on heavyweight paper 19-1x4 x 17 inches (48.9 x 43.2 cm) (Well, Here We Go on the First Leg, image) 18-1x2 x 15-3x4 inches (47.0 x 40.0 cm) ($ for the War, $ for Peace, image) Each signed in lower region: Dorman H. Smith These two original editorial cartoons by NEA-syndicated artist Dorman H. Smith were published in as many as 700 newspapers across the United States; Well, Here We Go on the First Leg on April 25, 1947 and $ for the War, $ for Peace likely in 1950. Following the end of World War II relations with the Soviet Union swiftly deteriorated. To counter Russian pressure, President Truman enunciated the Truman Doctrine in a speech to Congress on March 12, 1947, declaring that the US would provide support to democratic nations under threat from external or internal authoritarian forces. Soon after Congress approved $400,000,000 of aid to the Greek and Turkish governments and the dispatch of American civilian and military personnel and equipment to the region. In Well, Here We Go on the First Leg, Uncle Sam sets off on a "direct course to leadership in world affairs" with "aid to Greece and Turkey" in hand as the American taxpayer looks on. In a Cold War cartoon titled $ for the War, $ for Peace, likely published in 1950, Uncle Sam finds many hands reaching out to the United States for support of peaceful pursuits, yet the defense budget, as always, takes first call on government funds. (image size: 18.5" x 15.75") Dorman H. Smith was on the art staff of NEA Service in 1921 and in the early-1930s moved to the Hearst organization; his cartoons appeared in Chicago's Herald Examiner and the San Francisco Examiner. After service in World War II, he returned to NEA. His work was collected in the book One Hundred and One Cartoons by Dorman H. Smith, published in 1936. The artist inscribed and signed these originals to collector Murray Harris: "Best wishes to Murray Harris - Dorman H. Smith" and "Good Luck, Murray - Dorman H. Smith." Quantity: (2) HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.comxTexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

Condition
Toning to each sheet. Some light scattered pin point stains, surface dirt, and smudges to each, most visible along extreme edges. Small abrasion upper left area of sky to Well, Here We Go on the First Leg. Wear and markings to margins of pages in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Each not framed. Each sheet overall: 23.125 x 20 inches and 22.125 x 20 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"