The Dionne quintuplets were born on May 28, 1934 in Canada. Their birth and development became an ongoing news story. E. Simms Campbell's color cartoon for Esquire's January 1936 issue is a rare instance of the African-American artist depicting members of a black family. The cartoon features the mother, surrounded by her own numerous children, commenting on the news item with what is supposed to be a clever quip. The caption is written in some unfortunate dialect.
On the other side of the page is a beautiful but cryptic winter cartoon by Abner Dean. A man standing on a Manhattan balcony during a snowstorm wears a top hat and carries what seems to be a bag. He is saying, "Oh well—I might as well go in and take it!"Take what?
![]()
![]()
External Links:
E. Simms Campbell's Wikipedia Entry
E. Simms Campbell on Ink Spill
E. Simms Campbell in Christopher Wheeler's Cartoon(ist) Gallery
E. Simms Campbell in Print: Insider Histories: Black Cartoonist E. Simms Campbell. Robert C. Harvey intervied by Michael Dooley. March 3, 2015
E. Simms Campbell on We Too Were Children, Mr. Barrie. October 6, 2012
E. Simms Campbell at American Art Archives
E. Simms Campbell on Eli Stein Cartoons.com: "We All Have to Start Somewhere" Department. Case in Point No. 15. September 6, 2011
E. Simms Campbell in Potrzebie. October 10, 2007
Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives
E. Simms Campbell
Attempted Bloggery's Index w-w-with a History
Attempted Bloggery Supports Net Neutrality
 |
| E. Simms Campbell "All dat fuss ovah jes five babies[.]" Esquire, January 1936, page 79 |
 |
| Detail |
 |
| E. Simms Campbell's signature and the printed caption |
On the other side of the page is a beautiful but cryptic winter cartoon by Abner Dean. A man standing on a Manhattan balcony during a snowstorm wears a top hat and carries what seems to be a bag. He is saying, "Oh well—I might as well go in and take it!"Take what?
 |
| Abner Dean "Oh well—I might as well go in and take it!" Esquire, January 1936, page 80 |
 |
| E. Simms Campbell Etsy Listing Retrieved February 23, 2018 |
 |
| E. Simms Campbell Etsy Item Description |
Note: If you have any idea what's going on in the Abner Dean gag, please explain it to me. I just don't get it.
Meanwhile Attempted Bloggery will continue to look at the work of cartoonist E. Simms Campbell (1906-1971). I seek scans or photographs of original art or obscure published works that will help to shed light on this artist.
Meanwhile Attempted Bloggery will continue to look at the work of cartoonist E. Simms Campbell (1906-1971). I seek scans or photographs of original art or obscure published works that will help to shed light on this artist.
External Links:
E. Simms Campbell's Wikipedia Entry
E. Simms Campbell on Ink Spill
E. Simms Campbell in Christopher Wheeler's Cartoon(ist) Gallery
E. Simms Campbell in Print: Insider Histories: Black Cartoonist E. Simms Campbell. Robert C. Harvey intervied by Michael Dooley. March 3, 2015
E. Simms Campbell at American Art Archives
E. Simms Campbell on Eli Stein Cartoons.com: "We All Have to Start Somewhere" Department. Case in Point No. 15. September 6, 2011
E. Simms Campbell in Potrzebie. October 10, 2007
Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives
E. Simms Campbell
Attempted Bloggery's Index w-w-with a History
Attempted Bloggery Supports Net Neutrality
02469