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After-Yule Report, 2006: Out Our Way
Dec. 26th, 2006 02:50 pmI've been tweaking a few things here and there on earlier pages for Local Hero # 1 today, checking in with friends and family, and taking care of assorted other chores as well.
In between all of that, I've been looking over one particular gift from someone in the immediate family that came as something of a surprise. Depending on how long you've been among the living, you may have heard of the person who did the work collected in this book: Out Our Way Sampler, 20's 30's and 40's by J.R. Williams. Publisher of record is Algrove Publishing of Almonte, Ontario.
As far as I know, the gentleman is no relation to anyone in my immediate or near-immediate family. But, according to the record established, this other Williams had a record career as a cartoonist: 10,000+ illustrations over 22 years. The material included here puts me in mind of Krazy Kat, or the original Segar Popeye/Thimble Theatre strips that I've occasionally seen reprints of. Maybe it's just the word balloon style, or the linework or both.
The book is certainly an eye-opener on how much society's both changed and remained the same: in fashion, technologies, social patterns, and most importantly, what constitutes a good joke.
According to the back cover, Charles Schulz considered this artist one of the giants upon whose shoulders he in turn stood while bringing about the Peanuts strips we consider to be one of the standards of the 20th century. I could certainly come to believe it, with a little more information from others who definitely know more. Some additional digging's in order here, and if anyone I know's already done it -- or knows someone who does -- I'd be glad to learn what they know!
In between all of that, I've been looking over one particular gift from someone in the immediate family that came as something of a surprise. Depending on how long you've been among the living, you may have heard of the person who did the work collected in this book: Out Our Way Sampler, 20's 30's and 40's by J.R. Williams. Publisher of record is Algrove Publishing of Almonte, Ontario.
As far as I know, the gentleman is no relation to anyone in my immediate or near-immediate family. But, according to the record established, this other Williams had a record career as a cartoonist: 10,000+ illustrations over 22 years. The material included here puts me in mind of Krazy Kat, or the original Segar Popeye/Thimble Theatre strips that I've occasionally seen reprints of. Maybe it's just the word balloon style, or the linework or both.
The book is certainly an eye-opener on how much society's both changed and remained the same: in fashion, technologies, social patterns, and most importantly, what constitutes a good joke.
According to the back cover, Charles Schulz considered this artist one of the giants upon whose shoulders he in turn stood while bringing about the Peanuts strips we consider to be one of the standards of the 20th century. I could certainly come to believe it, with a little more information from others who definitely know more. Some additional digging's in order here, and if anyone I know's already done it -- or knows someone who does -- I'd be glad to learn what they know!
