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The Book of Bow-Wows (1913) by Elizabeth Gordon illustrated by TAD. I have been asked if this book was illustrated by sports cartoonist "Tad" Dorgan, and I believe it is him but can't be sure. Tad was famous not because of his drawing, which was occasionally amateurish, but for his slangy humor and verbal invention. These drawings also seem to be drawn in a clumsy (but charming nonetheless) manner. Any comments pro or con would be welcome. Thanks to Ellen in the Netherlands for the neat images.
This doesn't immediately look like Tad's work to me. On the other hand, I believe the one-name "Tad" would generally be understood to be our Tad. There are a few online references to this illustrator being "Tad Gordon"? Does the book itself give any clues?
ReplyDeleteNo other clues, Michael. "TAD" appears only on the cover and title-page. "TAD" would probably bring only the well-known cartoonist to mind for American audiences of that time.
ReplyDeleteRick Marschall has pointed out on the Platinum Comics Group that TAD signed his work "all caps, a proper acronym," which is true of the cover of this book, but... the title-page spells it "Tad."
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, for what it's worth, worldcat lists this book among TAD's works ... http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n85-247555
ReplyDeleteOver a year late.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like Tad to me and I like him enough to own a couple of his originals.