The New Yorker covers: July 1, 1974

Boats, ships, harbors and waterfronts have held a special appeal for many cover artists whose work has appeared in The New Yorker. The aquatic realm has been a frequent presence during the magazine’s long life.

Charles E. Martin
(covers untitled until February 1993)

The (old) Down East covers: October 1966

Ever since its founding in 1954, Down East has billed itself as “the magazine of Maine.” There are other Maine-centered mags, but Down East remains the most prominent of the bunch. Nowadays, the Rockport-based monthly features glossy, memorable cover photos, but there's a lot to be said for the charming, old-timey look of covers from the publication’s early decades.

Stell Shevis, untitled

"What is art but a way of seeing?" Saul Bellow

"Daybreak," 1922, Maxfield Parrish

Movie Posters, 2001: Two adults, please, and a large popcorn!

Today in the history of the American comic strip: January 8

American cartoonists and writers may not have invented the comic strip, but some argue that the comics, as we know them today, are an American creation. Clearly, the United States has played an outsize role in the development of this underappreciated art form. 

1.8.1880: William Addison Ireland is born in Chillicothe, Ohio. A cartoonist for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, he is the namesake of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at The Ohio State University, which describes itself as the largest and most comprehensive academic research facility documenting printed cartoon art.

1.8.1936: King Features Syndicate premieres Laff-a-Day, a daily gag cartoon that was drawn by more than a dozen cartoonists during the comic’s run, which ended in 1998. 

 

1.8.1989: The Los Angeles Times Syndicate revives Pogo, which had been discontinued in 1975. The resurrected strip only survived until 1993.

1.8.2012: The pantomime strip Ferd'nand, created by Danish-born cartoonist Henning Dahl Mikkelsen, ends its run after more than seven decades in print.

Ferd'nand

Most of the information listed here from one day to the next comes from two online sites -- Wikipedia, and Don Markstein's Toonopedia -- as well as 100 Years of American Newspaper Comics, edited by Maurice Horn. Note that my focus is on American newspaper comic strips (and the occasional foreign strip that gained popularity in the United States). Thus, comic books and exclusively online comics are not included here.

The birth of an artist: January 8

David Milne
January 8, 1882

Miquel Barceló
January 8, 1957

 Lawrence Alma-Tadema
January 8, 1836

 Peter Arno
January 8, 1904

Elisabetta Sirani
January 8, 1638

The New Yorker covers: September 1, 1962

Over the years, there have been many magazines whose covers have featured the work of highly talented artists and illustrators. But probably no magazine has had more varied and memorable covers, over a longer period of time, than The New Yorker, which was founded in 1925.

Arthur Getz
(covers untitled until February 1993)

The (old) Down East covers: December 1983

Ever since its founding in 1954, Down East has billed itself as “the magazine of Maine.” There are other Maine-centered mags, but Down East remains the most prominent of the bunch. Nowadays, the Rockport-based monthly features glossy, memorable cover photos, but there's a lot to be said for the charming, old-timey look of covers from the publication’s early decades.

Waldo Peirce, "Christmas at Searsport"