• Home
  • Search
  • Browse Collections
  • My Account
  • About
  • DC Network Digital Commons Network™
Skip to main content
VCU Scholars Compass Virginia Commonwealth University We are the Uncommon Give to VCU
  • Home
  • About
  • FAQ
  • My Account

Home > Digital Collections > Sykes Cartoon Collection

Sykes Editorial Cartoon Collection

Digital Collections come from a broad range of sources, including materials that are offensive or contain negative stereotypes. VCU Libraries provides access to these items to support research and inquiry.

About this collection
Charles Henry 'Bill' Sykes (1882-1942) was an editorial cartoonist whose work appeared in a number of periodicals including newspapers in Philadelphia. James Branch Cabell Library Special Collections and Archives acquired this collection of original circa 1940 drawings in 1980.

Born in Athens, Alabama, in 1882, Sykes graduated from Philadelphia's Drexel Institute in 1904. For a short time he did freelance art work and then was employed by the North American, Williamsport News, and Nashville Banner. In 1911, he returned to Philadelphia to work for the Public Ledger. In 1914, he became the first and only editorial cartoonist employed by the Evening Public Ledger (Philadelphia), until it ceased publication in 1942. Before he died later that year, Sykes, who smoked four packs of cigarettes a day, received a commission to draw a series of anti-smoking advertisements.

From 1922 to 1928, he was the regular editorial cartoonist for Life magazine, producing full-page weekly editorial cartoons. Also during that time, Sykes inherited the weekly and annual cartoon roundup of news subjects upon the death of F.T. Richards. He was a consistent contributor to Collier's magazine and his cartoons have appeared in the New York Evening Post. His most famous cartoon, "Madonna and Child A.D. 1940," depicts the ugliness of war; the image shows a mother and child wearing gas masks.

The Sykes Editorial Cartoon Collection consists of 297 original editorial cartoons, four unfinished sketches, a U.S. War Bond poster, and a U.S. Victory poster by Sykes. The cartoons appeared in the Evening Public Ledger (Philadelphia) and illustrate the events of the late 1930s and early 1940s with a focus on American reaction to the aggressions of the Axis powers before the U.S. entry into World War II. Other topics represented include: John L. Lewis and coal miners, Philadelphia and Pennsylvania politics, the Turner-Kilroy Bill, and baseball.

Sykes created his early cartoons using the unusual patterns of coquille board for the shading effect. His later works were created with a crayon and wash technique. His cartoons were usually intended to be humorous, filled with distorted figures while offering his unique perspective on the current news events.

For more information, see the finding aid for the Charles Henry Sykes cartoon collection.

Copyright
The copyright and related rights status of this material is unknown. Acknowledgement of Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries as a source is requested.

Credits
VCU Libraries digitized this collection in 2012. Digital Specialist Jennifer Cason supervised student employees, digitization, and quality control. Student employees Kaitlin Foray and Kelly Crone assisted with digitization. Metadata Librarian Mary Anne Dyer created the metadata for this digital collection.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Follow

Switch View to List View Slideshow
 
  • 725th mistake by Henry Charles Sykes

    725th mistake

  • After all, we're part of the family by Henry Charles Sykes

    After all, we're part of the family

  • Again and yet by Henry Charles Sykes

    Again and yet

  • All at sea by Henry Charles Sykes

    All at sea

  • All signs point to a hard winter, but - by Henry Charles Sykes

    All signs point to a hard winter, but -

  • Almost as good as war by Henry Charles Sykes

    Almost as good as war

  • And it isn't even dog-days yet by Henry Charles Sykes

    And it isn't even dog-days yet

  • And make yourself at home! by Henry Charles Sykes

    And make yourself at home!

  • And more to follow? by Henry Charles Sykes

    And more to follow?

  • And that ain't all! by Henry Charles Sykes

    And that ain't all!

  • And this is only pastime by Henry Charles Sykes

    And this is only pastime

  • And you're next, Benito! by Henry Charles Sykes

    And you're next, Benito!

  • Another dictator joins in by Henry Charles Sykes

    Another dictator joins in

  • Another junior partner? by Henry Charles Sykes

    Another junior partner?

  • Another poor fellow seeks work by Henry Charles Sykes

    Another poor fellow seeks work

  • Anybody interested? by Henry Charles Sykes

    Anybody interested?

  • Anything worth salvaging? by Henry Charles Sykes

    Anything worth salvaging?

  • Appeal to the dictator by Henry Charles Sykes

    Appeal to the dictator

  • Armistice Day 1940 by Henry Charles Sykes

    Armistice Day 1940

  • Atta boy, you're saving me trouble! by Henry Charles Sykes

    Atta boy, you're saving me trouble!

  • Awakening by Henry Charles Sykes

    Awakening

  • Aw, play fair, we're doing it for you! by Henry Charles Sykes

    Aw, play fair, we're doing it for you!

  • Aw, these are only straws! by Henry Charles Sykes

    Aw, these are only straws!

  • Back to earth! by Henry Charles Sykes

    Back to earth!

  • Beat your promise by Charles Henry Sykes

    Beat your promise

  • Beggar on horse back by Henry Charles Sykes

    Beggar on horse back

  • Better get in practice! by Henry Charles Sykes

    Better get in practice!

  • Better late than never by Henry Charles Sykes

    Better late than never

  • Better refresh your memory, Adolf! by Henry Charles Sykes

    Better refresh your memory, Adolf!

  • Better stick to flying, Colonel! by Henry Charles Sykes

    Better stick to flying, Colonel!

  • Better stick to small fry, Doctor! by Henry Charles Sykes

    Better stick to small fry, Doctor!

  • Better than Europe by Henry Charles Sykes

    Better than Europe

  • Big noise by Henry Charles Sykes

    Big noise

  • Big question by Henry Charles Sykes

    Big question

  • Bitter dose by Henry Charles Sykes

    Bitter dose

  • Black out by Henry Charles Sykes

    Black out

  • Blah-h, you can't appreciate purity! by Henry Charles Sykes

    Blah-h, you can't appreciate purity!

  • Bolts vs. nuts by Henry Charles Sykes

    Bolts vs. nuts

  • Bon voyage! by Henry Charles Sykes

    Bon voyage!

  • Bright enough to see what we're doing by Henry Charles Sykes

    Bright enough to see what we're doing

 

Page 1 of 8

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
 
 

Browse

  • Collections
  • Disciplines
  • Authors

Search

Advanced Search

  • Notify me via email or RSS

Author Corner

  • Author FAQ

Links

  • VCU Libraries
  • Author Rights/Copyright
  • VCU Libraries Digital Exhibits
 
Elsevier - Digital Commons

Home | About | FAQ | My Account | Accessibility Statement

Privacy Copyright

Virginia Commonwealth University | VCU Libraries | Contact Us

Virginia Commonwealth University is a nationally renowned public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of all members of its community. VCU student, faculty and staff groups and associations are open without regard to any characteristic or identity protected by law.