The New Yorker covers: September 15, 1956

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: June 1970

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.

Robert L. Lambdin, "Capture of the Margaretta"

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

"Houses Seen from the Back," 1885-86, Vincent van Gogh

Movie Posters, 1960: Two adults, please, and a large popcorn!

Today in the history of the American comic strip: January 17

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.

1.17.1929: Popeye the Sailor makes his first appearance in E. C. Segar’s Thimble Theatre. The strip, which was in its 10th year by the time Popeye arrived, was later renamed after the spinach-loving seaman.

1.17.1993: F. O. Alexander dies. In 1931, he took over Hairbreadth Harry following the death of its creator, C. W. Kahles. Alexander produced the strip until 1939.

Popeye

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 17

 

Ruth Miller
January 17, 1904

Zbigniew Rychlicki
January 17, 1922

A.B. Frost
January 17, 1851

T. Alexander Harrison
January 17, 1853

The New Yorker covers: April 3, 1943

 

The New Yorker ran many covers related to or inspired by World War II. While some of these covers carried a sober message, others used humor to illustrate interesting situations involving military personnel or civilians, at home or abroad.

Peter Arno
(covers untitled until February 1993)

The (old) Down East covers: April 1963

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.

Robert Hambleton, untitled