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Oh, don't you love
those rotting cellulose fibers?
A series of drawings depicting the Administrator of Yesterday's Papers researching graphic treasures and sequential comic art for the delight of scholars, fans, and curiosity seekers.
OK. This is neither your Admin, nor even a self-caricature of the cartoonist, the brilliant Frank H T Bellew (1828-1888). A subject of the British crown who migrated to the United States, Bellew drew for the very first issue of Harper's Weekly in 1857; for the rival Frank Leslie;s Illustrated Newspaper; and for virtually ever paper of his day, comic and otherwise. His trademark signature was a triangle.
One of the first depictions of Uncle Sam (Brother Jonathan) was drawn by Bellew, and his son Frank -- known by the obligatory and natural nickname "Chip," (we shall call him Little Boy Bellew) was also a cartoonist. Chip, who specialized in dog cartoons, died young, only eight years after his father.
This "series," titled Research, appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1859.
-- Rick Marschall
