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Howes Norris, Jr. Cartoon Autograph Collection

A description of the collection at Syracuse University


Finding aid created by: MRC
Date: 6 Jan 2010



Biographical History

Howes Norris Jr. (1867?- ) of Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, was an avid collector of autographs from an early age; an article in the St. Petersburg Times (17 April 1946, p. 26) called him the "Granddaddy of all the autograph fiends." Norris even had a specific letterhead, "The Howes Norris, Jr. Autograph Collection," for use in soliciting items.


Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Howes Norris, Jr. Cartoon Autograph Collection consists of sketches and cartoons from notable cartoonists, signed and sent to Norris at his request. Nearly all are original art, though there are a few printed items; many are drawn on Norris' letterhead which he apparently sent along with his request. Some are inscribed to Norris, but a few are inscribed "To Adelaide L. Robb."

Cartoonists of particular interest include J. P. Alley (Hambone drawing), C. D. Batchelor, Frank Bellew, Jim Berryman, E. S. Bisbee, Daniel Bishop, Bodfish, Douglas Borgstedt, E. A. Bushnell, Jack Callahan, G. E. Ciani (illustrator for Puck), Sheffield Clarke, Nate Collier, Margot Cook, John T. Coulthard, Palmer Cox, Walt Disney (Mickey Mouse drawing), H. C. Fisher, Rube Goldberg, Chester Gould (Dick Tracy drawing), Harold Gray (Little Orphan Annie drawing), Frederick Burr Opper (Happy Hooligan sketch), Frank Willard (Moon Mullins drawing), and many more.

There are also two proof sheets of the comics page for an unnamed Cleveland newspaper for September 15 and 16; there do not appear to be any signatures on it.


Arrangement of the Collection

Items are in alphabetical order by cartoonist.


Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.


Related Material

Special Collections Research Center has several other collections of autographs. See for example the following:

Argosy Autograph Collection
Frances Ward Harrington Autograph Collection
Graeme O'Geran Presidential Autograph Collection
Gordon N. Ray Collection of Victorian Autographs
Fremont Rider Autograph Collection

Additional autographs collected by Norris are held by the Helen Farr Sloan Library (Delaware Art Museum) in its Howes Norris, Jr. autograph collection.


Subject Headings

Subjects

Autographs -- Collections.
Cartoonists -- Autographs.

Genres and Forms

Autographs.
Cartoons (humorous images)
Drawings (visual works)
Sketches.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Howes Norris, Jr. Cartoon Autograph Collection,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Purchase, 1969.


Table of Contents

Autographs


Inventory