Group of Four Mid-Century Newspaper cartoons, 19

Group of Four Mid-Century Newspaper cartoons, 1945-1951 India ink, lithographic crayon, and gouache on heavyweight paper 13-1/2 x 11-1/2 inches (34.3 x 29.2 cm) (Honist, He Ain't Laid a Glove on Ya", image) Each signed in lower region These four handsome original editorial cartoons published in American newspapers from 1945 to 1951 address America's role and responsibilities in the post-World War II world. Elmer R. Messner presents Uncle Sam, John Bull of England and a female representative of France in the "U.S. - British - French Discussions on Spain." His original The Face at the Window was published in the December 28, 1945, edition of the Rochester Times-Union newspaper. At the end of World War II Francisco Franco, ruler of Spain, was the only fascist in power in Europe. He stands at the window, watching the victorious Allies discuss the fate of Spain inside Europe. Spain remained neutral during the war yet was isolated and excluded from NATO and the Marshall Plan. This original is inscribed and signed by the artist in the bottom margin: "to my good friend Kenneth Maher — E R Messner." (image size: 12.5" x 10") Philip 'Flip' Uzanas was an illustrator and cartoonist at the Hartford Courant (Connecticut) newspaper in the 1940s and 1950s, and this Uncle Sam original was published circa 1950. A steadfast Uncle Sam stands outside the walls of the Kremlin as foreign minister Andrey Vishinsky bellows his poisonous propaganda. Vishinsky was appointed foreign minister in 1949 after serving as chief prosecutor in Stalin's Great Purge Trials of the 1930s. (image size: 10.25" x 12.25") Uncle Sam, Britain and France labor to ensure "Western Europe Security" in the face of "Communist Aggression" in this original by Archibald B. Chapin titled Frantic Effort to Save the Dike. It was published in newspapers across the United States in early October, 1950. Mr. Chapin was a syndicated cartoonist whose work was distributed by National Weekly News Service, and that organization's engraving order is mounted to the back. (Image size: 11.75" x 11.75") James Arthur Wood Jr. created the cartoon titled Honist, He Ain't Laid a Glove on Ya" that appeared in the October 9, 1951 edition of the Richmond News Leader (Virginia). Mohammed Mossadegh became Prime Minister of Iran in April 1951 as leader of a popular movement to nationalize the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company controlled by Britain. Uncle Sam works England's corner in the fight, for the USA was sympathetic to the British cause and sought to lessen Russian influence in Iran. Eventually, Mossadegh was overthrown in a 1953 coup organized by the American CIA. (image size: 13.5" x 11.5") Quantity: (4) HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

Condition
Light toning to three with notable toning to The Face at the Window. Soft diagonal crease at upper right of Honist, He Ain't Laid a Glove on Ya" not affecting central image. Some very light scattered surface dirt and light smudges to areas of negative space and along extreme edges. Minor horizontal cut at right extreme edge of The Face at the Window, not affecting central image. Wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Each not framed. Each sheet overall: 10.5 x 12.5 inches, 11.75 x 11.75 inches, 14 x 11.25 inches, and 13.5 x 15.5 inches
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