From time to time, Pioneer Cartoonists were
called upon to illustrate product ads which ran in newspapers & Magazines.
Often, they were not allowed to sign their work. It takes a careful eye
to recognize an artist's style unless a signature is found!
An ad for Keeping in mind this ad reflects the 1920s, my 1990s sensibilities are still shocked at the language of the ad, yet flipping through some magazines today, & listening to comments some individuals both Black & White, I see that little has really changed concerning Afrocentric appreciation. It reads: "My Dear-- there's no need to have bad hair and ugly skin these days. Use Madam C.J. Walker's "Bad" hair ? a term still used in the Black community to describe any form of natural contidion, as opposed to "good" that is straight hair. Ugly skin--- that doesn't bear comment. Since in those days dark skin of any kind was given that description in post Woodrow Wilson society. It continues to read: "Short, thin falling hair, baldness, itching scalp, etc, caused by dandruff, tetter, eczema, ringworm and to frequent physical exertion may be corrected. Rough, blotched, coarse pored skin, made more unsightly by freckles, blackheads, pimples and surface dirt, should not and need not be. To have them is to acknowledge indifference and carelessness. Your chance to rise, shine enjoy all that successful women enjoy, demands that you use these preparations. |
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An ad for It reads: Famous Black Beauties in History & Mythology 5. Andromeda Famed in the mythological romance of "Perseus and Andromeda." The brilliant constellation of that name is titled in honor of her. (For those interested in trivial mythological history as it relates to people of African descent, Hercules, albeit the part immortal son of Zeus, is said to be a descended of Perseus--- Which leads one to believe Hercules is also of African descent. But for those who want to argue the point that he is the son of Zeus, keep in mind the ancient name of Zeus is AEthiop, which in Greek mean Black. Hey, read a book!) | ||
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An ad for Caption under drawing reads: "I can't do a thing with that child since the boy next door started using Murrays !" |
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Illustration by Jay Jackson 1940ish "It Could Happen to You" Panel 1: "Alice, that was Jeff on the phone. He's coming over and bringing his good looking cousin with him. Let's get dressed!" Panel 2: Alice: "He won't ever look at me with my bad looking hair! I wish I could do something about it!" Other Woman: "I'll fix that! Just use my Sweet Georgia Brown Hair Dressing Pomade and dress your hair like that singer at the Bon Ton Cafe !" Panel 3: Man: "Am I glad I came and met you Alice! Let's
go places and do things!" Thinking to himself: "Isn't she gorgeous!"
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Illustration by Jackie
Ormes 1945 An ad for Although the artist is not credited, the style appears to be very much that of Jackie Ormes. Other Overton-Hygienic ad are known to have been illustrated by her.
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Illustration by Jackie
Ormes 1947 An ad for Caption reads: Woman at the door: "Richard why don't you open that door???" Man inside: Caption: (Note: Although the meaning of the joke is lost nowa days, this cartoon is making reference to the song "Open The Door Richard" which was enormously popular in 1947. Ask Gran'ma about it. Those born after 1980 try a Great-Grand.) |
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Illustration by
Don Anderson 1926
