Jim Nolan's Blog

Before They Went "Over There"

An article from 1918 sent to me by Matt Conrad, that describes a banquet in Lieut. Michael J. Duddy's honor for "winning an Army commission at Camp Niagara." It is attended by my great uncle, Lieut. John V. Curry. Both would be killed in action that year. 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of their deaths. I like being able to post these old news clippings, because in time those interested in the subject will find them through a simple Google search. Thanks for sending, Matt. 

Mort Walker

Mort Walker, who passed away on January 27, was a funny man, and a great draftsman. At a National Cartoonists Society conference, he was kind enough to hand out signed copies of Mort Walker's Private Scrapbook, and it was obvious from just a quick look that he could draw anything exceptionally well. Isabella and I used to see him at various cartoonist gatherings, where he cut an elegant and friendly figure. When Isabella sent him a piece of artwork, he generously returned the favor, sending her this original Beetle Bailey panel in 2011. She was thrilled to get it. According to NPR, Beetle Bailey has run for 68 years and has had a readership of 200 million people in over 50 countries. Astounding. 

Today's Isabella Bannerman "Six Chix" Cartoon

I think I've heard my socks say that. I really like how this cartoon is colored, and the two different kinds of lettering. Have a great Monday, everyone.

Curry-Duddy Literary and Debating Society, 1926

This was sent to me by my friend Matt Conrad, a relative of Lieut. Michael J. Duddy, who was killed in action in World War I in France on August 12, 1918. My great uncle, Lieut. John V. Curry, was killed in action a few months earlier, on May 28. Both were raised in Plains, Pennsylvania, educators, and went to training camp at Ft. Niagara, New York. Both were killed by snipers. Thanks for sending this, Matt. 

Sunday "Six Chix" Isabella Bannerman Cartoon

A beautifully drawn Sunday panel, running today, January 28. I love Isabella's lettering. And how the baby's tiny head sticks out of the stork's sling. Isy's Sunday cartoons are published every sixth week, as each of the Six Chix draws that day consecutively.

Below is the title panel. They are not typically published anymore, unfortunately.

 

Adam Buckman's TV Columns at MediaPost.com

Screengrab from MediaPost.com

My friend Adam Buckman has always been one of my favorite writers, period. His writing about television is always insightful and just plain funny. If you are looking to discover some great new programs, or avoid the bad ones, check out Adam's column at MediaPost.com. I subscribe to them and eagerly read his daily piece.

Happy Birthday, Virginia Woolf (and Robert Burns)

Above, a Google Doodle today by Louise Pomeroy in honor of Virginia Woolf's 136 birthday. Below, a Literary Locations sticker of her, there's only one left. The illustration is by Isabella Bannerman.

You may also be interested in this terrific article in The Guardian about Woolf by Kaite Welsh. 

Screenshot from The Guardian

Jon Krakauer Explains Reason For Chris McCandless's Death

Photo credit: Jon Krakauer

This February 11, 2015 New Yorker piece by Jon Krakauer I missed. In it, the author of Into the Wild explains that McCandless died of toxic compounds in the seeds he was eating in a desperate attempt to survive. I have written about Richard Proenneke, a man who unlike McCandless was truly at home in the wilderness, and have also interviewed his editor, the super cool John Branson. You can find them here. As different as Proenneke and McCandless were in skills, it seems like they were alike in many ways, each having a desire to test himself and a deep love of the natural world. I wish they had met. 

An Even Bigger Alaska Earthquake

Today's earthquake in Alaska registered 7.9—that's huge. Fortunately, it did not create a tsunami. Here's why people in Alaska are afraid of them: the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, the second largest earthquake ever recorded (9.2). Listen to my friend Shirley Blankenship describe what it was like to experience it... with a houseful of young kids.  

The Big One 

Monday Bannerman Cartoon...plus a bonus cartoon

Two beautifully drawn Isabella Bannerman cartoons to start the week off. Have a great one!