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Catalog Data

Artist:
Mauldin, Bill, 1921-2003  Search this
Collector:
Archives of American Art  Search this
Names:
Chicago Sun-Times  Search this
St. Louis Post-Dispatch  Search this
Extent:
8 Cubic feet (20 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Clippings
Sketchbooks
Correspondence
Genealogies
Personal papers
Political cartoons
Cartoons (humorous images)
Place:
Arizona
Vietnam
Date:
1946-1987
Summary:
Collection is believed to contain all of Mauldin's published cartoons from 1946 to 1987; also periodical and newspaper articles about and by Mauldin, personal items, including his genealogy, and an original sketchbook used by Mauldin while he was in Vietnam, February 1965.
Scope and Contents:
The collection contains newspaper clippings or photocopies of Mauldin's published cartoons from 1946 to 1987. Some of his most famous cartoons from World War II were reprised during this time. Newspaper and magazine articles written and/or illustrated by Mauldin are also included as are magazine covers and a Vietnam sketchbook containing pen and ink renderings of battle scenes observed by Mauldin during a visit. Other documents include correspondence, a number of articles written about Mauldin, his genealogy and photographs of his family. Some correspondence and drawings by Mauldin's friend, artist Mailton Caniff are also included. Series 1, Artwork and Articles, 1946-1987, include published material written or drawn by Mauldin and is arranged in chronological order. Subseries 1, Cartoons, 1946-1987, consists of clippings and draft submissions of published cartoons and are arranged in chronological order. Subseries 2, Articles Written by Mauldin, 1947-1982, consists of clippings and drafts of newspaper and magazine articles and is arranged in chronological order. Subseries 3, Articles Illustrated by Mauldin, 1948-1970, consists of illustrations arranged chronologically. Subseries 4, Related Materials, 1961-1968, consists of magazine covers, sketches and a map to his wedding and is arranged in alphabetical order. Series 2, Biographical Information, 1947-1968; undated, includes articles written about Mauldin, biography, some correspondence and reviews of and advertisements for his books. The materials are arranged in alphabetical order. Series 3, Other Artwork, 1948-1960, include clippings of drawings by Milton Caniff and some miscellaneous material. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged in three series: Series 1, Artwork and Articles, 1946–1987 Subseries 1.1, Cartoons, 1946-1987 Subseries 1.2, Articles Written by Mauldin, 1947-1982 Subseries 1.3, Articles Illustrated by Mauldin, 1948-1970 Subseries 1.4, Related Materials, 1961-1968 Series 2, Biographical Information, 1947-1968; undated Series 3, Other Artwork, 1948-1960
Biographical / Historical:
William Henry (Bill) Mauldin, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning military and political cartoonist, was born in Mountain Park, New Mexico in 1921. He studied for a year at the Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago and did some freelance cartooning before World War II. He joined the Arizona National Guard and when the war broke out he was activated and became a cartoonist for the 45th Infantry Division newspaper, and later for Stars and Stripes, a newspaper written for and distributed to GI's. It was for the Stars and Stripes that he created his two most famous characters. Willie and Joe were two dog faced infantrymen whose exploits reflected Mauldin's first hand observations of combat (he was awarded the purple heart) and the anxieties and frustrations that confronted Americans in a combat zone. His cartoons were the most popular pinups in tents and barracks along with photos of movie stars. Many of the Army's leaders, including General Patton, didn't like the disrespectful tone of some of the cartoons, but General Eisenhower did, so they continued to be published. After the war he drew political cartoons, first for United Feature Syndicates then for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and then for the Chicago Sun Times. They ranged in subject from local matters to international politics. He was a master satirist who could find the cracks in any idol be it democratic (Kennedy), republican (Eisenhower) or demagogue (De Gaulle). Mauldin wrote newspaper and magazine articles, some on contemporary life and politics, and some based on his visits to war zones in Korea, the Mid-East and Vietnam. He wrote a number of books including Up Front which was made into a movie.
Provenance:
The collection was donated by Alice R. Colquitt, on March 10, 1988.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Occupation:
Cartoonists  Search this
Topic:
World War, 1939-1945  Search this
Vietnam War, 1961-1975  Search this
Korean War, 1950-1953  Search this
Genre/Form:
Clippings -- 20th century
Sketchbooks -- 1940-1990
Correspondence -- 1940-1990
Genealogies
Personal papers -- 20th century
Political cartoons -- 1940-1950
Cartoons (humorous images) -- 1930-1960
Citation:
Mauldin Cartoon Collection, 1946-1987, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0307
See more items in:
Mauldin Cartoon Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep85979177c-48b1-4ce3-b88a-5a8f5f487748
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0307