Morty the Dog

Saturday, February 15, 2014

The Comix Files: Al Ackerman

"Blaster" Al Ackerman (1939-2013) sent this in Dec. 1989, shortly before he left San Antonio. You can see he actually signed the lower left corner, "The Blaster '89"

The Night Wind

From 1918. The colorful Art Deco covers had yet to arrive, apparently.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Absinto was a cartoonist from Cacém, Portugal. "Absinto" apparently means "absinthe" in Portuguese.

In 1996 this cartoonist sent me a nice letter with a ton of comix material. Some of the contents are shared here:

Souvenir of Love

Here's an appropriate bit of sheet music for St. Valentines Day! Published in 1924, cover illustrator is not credited.

I've never liked using shading film and would rather employ direct line drawing to create texture and contrast, as this artist did 90 years ago.

The Shrills Sing Bacharach

Don't Make Me Over

Thursday, February 13, 2014

The Comix Files: Mark Abrams

Mark Abrams, who was a student at Wesleyan University in Connecticut when he sent me a letter in January 1995, included this illustration on the back of the envelope.

I believe this is same Mr. Abrams who is now a designer of book covers.

Favorite Movie Quotes: Blown Away

"Would you look at this spread now! Why is it that a man always gets thrown his best party when he dies"

Home Sweet Home Lullaby

George W. Drew (1875-1968), known more as a landscape painter than as a print illustrator, created the image used on the cover of this sheet music, published in 1921.

Les Surfs Sing Bacharach

Don't Make Me Over

(No, no te vayas)

Phone photo 3167

Elma, Washington

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

I Wonder What's Become of Sally

Looks like this piece of 1924 sheet music was passed around a bit, with each owner leaving their autograph.

I'm struck by how often the ukulele is mentioned in these. Cover art was by Malcolm Perret.