Frank A. Chapman collection of Newspaper Political Cartoons, 1913-1984

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Chapman, Frank A., 1909-1985
Abstract:
Newspaper political and popular cartoons dating from 1913-1984 collected by Frank A. Chapman. The majority of the collection derives from the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. The collection contains the work of nationally syndicated cartoonists as well as Los Angeles-based cartoonists, including several Pulitzer Prize winners. Interspersed throughout the collection are occasional newspaper articles and magazine cartoons.
Extent:
12 document boxes (6 linear ft.)
Language:
Finding aid is written in English.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of newspaper clippings amassed by Frank A. Chapman, the majority of cartoons consisting primarily of images from the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Herald-Examiner ranging from 1913-1984. Mr. Chapman collected editorial cartoons covering numerous topics such as the presidential administrations of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan. The collection also contains cartoons on a wide-range of political and social issues including school busing, the arms race, nuclear technology, the environment, the Moscow Olympics boycott, foreign leaders, and popular culture.

The collection includes the work of artists such as Jim Borgman, Paul Conrad, John Fischetti, Karl (Carl) Hubenthal, Interlandi, Herbert "Herblock" Block, Guernsey LePelley, Jeff MacNelly, William "Bill" Mauldin, Patrick Oliphant, Steve Sack, Bill Schorr, Doug Sneyd, Wayne Stayskal, and others, several having won Pulitzer Prizes for their work. Paul Conrad, one of the artists whose work is featured in this collection, was a victim of Richard Nixon's famous "enemy" lists and Conrad's cartoons may have led to his being audited by the IRS four years in a row.

One of the more historical aspects of the collection is a cartoon panel series by Charles H. Wellington entitled "And the Worst is Yet to Come" dating from 1913-1916. The collection also contains a sprinkling of newspaper articles and popular comic strips.

Biographical / historical:

Frank A. Chapman was born on November 18, 1909. He was an avid collector of political and popular cartoons, amassing materials that ranged from 1913-1984 covering numerous topics including presidential administrations, political and popular culture, social issues, sports, and foreign leaders. Frank Chapman died in September 1985 and was survived by his son Arnold Chapman who generously donated his father's collection to the UCLA Library.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Arnold Chapman to UCLA, 1985.
Arrangement:

The collection has been organized thematically and arranged in alphabetical order at the folder level.

  • Boxes 1-2: Jimmy Carter Administration
  • Box 2: Cartoonists
  • Box 3: Gerald Ford Administration; Government
  • Box 4: Foreign Nations and Leaders
  • Box 5: Richard Nixon Administration; Watergate
  • Box 6: Political Figures
  • Boxes 7-10: Political Topics
  • Box 11: Popular Culture; Ronald Reagan Administration
  • Box 12: Sports; Vietnam War

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Political cartoons.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988