Group of Four World War II Era Newspaper cartoon

Group of Four World War II Era Newspaper cartoons,1941-1942 India ink, blue pencil, lithographic crayon, and gouache on heavyweight paper 14-1x2 x 12 inches (36.8 x 30.5 cm) (Pan American Day, image) Each signed in lower region America's Uncle Sam is the central character in four original editorial cartoons published in various newspapers just before or shortly after the country's entry into World War II. Jack "Herc" Ficklen was a Dallas native who worked at the Dallas News beginning in the late-1920s; by 1934 he was in the art department and by 1937 was producing sports and editorial cartoons. He created this portrait of an athletic Uncle Sam titled Good Medicine for an Inflated Waistline; it was published in the Dallas News and likely circulated to other newspapers. A handwritten note on the back indicates publication on a "Tuesday Dec. 26th," so it may have appeared as early as 1939 or as late as 1944. Before and during active US participation in World War II the government sought to reorient the economy to fit defense and wartime needs. After the attack on Pearl Harbor the Emergency Price Control Act of 1942 was passed and the Stabilization Extension Act of 1944 extended price and wage controls. This original is inscribed and signed "With All Best Wishes to Murray A. Harris Sincerely Herc" in the bottom margin. (image size: 13.5" x 10.5") American cartoonist John Alton Collins grew up in Montreal and in 1939 became the first staff cartoonist for the Montreal Gazette, where he worked until retirement in 1982. Uncle Sam prepares to bail out of the "Spirit of Appeasement" during its flight from New York to Berlin in this original editorial cartoon titled The "Lone" Eagle that was published in the Montreal Gazette on May 7, 1941. (image size: 13.75" x 10.25") John Patrick Maloney began his career as an editorial cartoonist at the Los Angeles Herald Express (later, Herald Examiner) and remained with that Hearst newspaper for 33 years. His original cartoon of Uncle Sam was created for and likely published on April 14, 1941—"Pan American Day." It likely appeared in many other Hearst papers throughout the United States. The Roosevelt administration sought to strengthen ties among Western Hemisphere countries in 1941 given the spread and intensity of World War II. This original is inscribed and signed in the bottom margin: "To Murray Harris with best regards John." (image size: 14.5" x 12") Information on artist William P. Stevenson and publication of his original cartoon titled Fireworks Ban could not be found, but the message is clear. (Image size: 14" x 12") Quantity: (4) HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.comxTexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

Condition
Light toning to each. Diagonal crease at lower right margin of Firework Ban, not affecting central image. Noteworthy handling crease at center and upper left of The Lone Eagle example. Very light scattered pin points of surface dirt and light smudges, visible in areas of negative space and along extreme edges. Wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Each not framed. Each sheet overall: 18 x 12.75 inches, 16.125 x 13.75 inches, 14.5 x 10.75 inches and 15 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"