The database can now be searched via the web [click here]. Before you start a search
you will be asked to register your name, your email and your interest in cartoons. It is
most helpful to us if you can give us as much detail as you can about your interest in
cartoons. We welcome any comments you might care to make on the database through our feedback page.
The cartoons on the database
commence in 1904 with the W.K. Haselden collection. These were published daily in
the Daily Mirror. The Mirror was initially targeted at a middle class, female
readership and the cartoons focus around issues of a social nature such as commuting,
servants, holidays, transport, fashion and so on thereby reflecting daily life, attitudes
and changes which occurred through the period. This collection ends in 1931.
Two postgraduate students have focused their MAs on the portrayal of the Germans
through the First World War and the portrayal of women through the suffragette movement,
the 1914-18 war and the twenties.
Next we have cartoons by Sydney 'George' Strube published in the Daily
Express between 1910-1955. These are editorial cartoons which cover the political
issues through the war and post-war. He is most famous for his character 'The Little Man'
who embodied the attitudes of the 'average man in the street'.
The collection of cartoons by David Low
span the years 1927-1950. These were published in the Evening Standard. He is considered
the greatest cartoonist of his time and his cartoons are the most studied and reproduced
in exams and text books. His portrayals of the events of the World War II offer concise
representations of the roles and relationships of the main protagonists.
To counterbalance the political cartoons during the war we have the cartoons of Joseph
Lee. His cartoons were published in the Evening News between 1934-1955 and
reflect daily life through series such as London Laughs and Smiling Through. They offer
useful portrayals of such subjects as the role of women during the war, stereotypes, post
war changes etc.
The pocket cartoons by Neb published in the Daily Mail during 1940-1947
also pick up the war spirit. The cartoons by E.H. Shepard, better known for his
drawings of Winnie the Pooh, are from Punch and cover the period 1935-42. The cartoons by
Leslie Illingworth offer 'satire in the grand style' during the years 1939-68 and were
published in Punch and the Daily Mail.
Another of the major cartoonists in the collection is Vicky [Victor Weisz]. His
cartoons cover the years 1954-66 and are published in the Evening Standard, the Daily
Mirror and the New Statesman. This period covers the rise of the superpowers,
the nuclear threat, Suez, and Britain's relationship with Europe. He is most famous today
for his portrayal of Harold Macmillan as Supermac.
The cartoons by Michael Cummings, start in 1948-62 and were published in the Daily
Express. His cartoons showing Britain's negotiations to enter the Common Market
encapsulate the fears and phobias towards Europe.
The cartoons of Andy Capp may not appear to fit in the
political arena of cartoons at the Centre but do reflect attitudes and life in the
sixties. Wife beating, drinking and unemployment are some of the areas shown in the
cartoons by Reg Smythe for the Daily Mirror. The collection at the Centre
dates from 1957-72.
Emmwood [John Musgrave-Wood] drew for the Daily Mail and his collection
spans 1955-75 and shows the fashions of the period and the politics of the Wilson era.
Nick Garland, the first editorial cartoonist for the Daily Telegraph
started in 1966 and has been there ever since apart from a two year period working for The
Independent. His work has also been published by the Spectator and the New
Statesman. His cartoons cover the Vietnam war, the Thatcher years, through to the
present day.
Giles Exhibition 1st December 2006
An exhibition of original drawings, books and objects from the Carl Giles Archive will run at the Canterbury Royal Art Gallery and Museum from 20th December 2006 to 3rd February 2007.
Competition 30th October 2006
The Centre will be running a competition throughout November to encourage people to contribute to the online catalogue. The winner will be able to choose 3 items from the Cartoon Centre's publications page.
Corny Pastiche 15th June 2006
The Centre's exhibition for the 2006 Canterbury Festival will feature cartoonists'
homages to, and copies of, famous paintings. Entitled "Corny Pastiche: the art
of political cartooning", it will run in the Centre's gallery from 7 October
to 19 November.
Peter Schrank donation 15th June 2006
In May 2006 the Centre was very pleased to receive a donation of over a hundred
cartoons and sketches from Peter Schrank, cartoonist of the Independent and
Independent on Sunday.
Haro Hodson donation 15th June 2006
A new exhibition has opened in the Centre's gallery. "Meet the Art Students:
A Brief History" contains Les Coleman's cartoons of his students, in black
and white "and now in glorious crayon." The exhibition runs until 2 April
2004.
