Signed Ink Drawing

Pulitzer prize-winning editorial cartoonist with the "Chicago Tribune" (1903-45). Original signed ink drawing, 14½" X 18½", n.p., 1930. Very good. Slight edgewear and minor soiling. Labeled "The Inquiring Reporter. He asks the question 'Do you think the London Naval Treaty insures parity in American and British naval strength?'" in cursive by McCutcheon on the lower margin. This text-heavy six-panel piece depicts the inquiring reporter, notepad in hand, listening to six persons (all male, of course), some of them obviously in Chicago surroundings, respond to this question. Upper left panel: dapper gent in old-time golf duds, gold buddies behind him, replies, "No, not so long as the British fleet has the Rodney and the Nelson." Upper right panel: Fellow in small boat on the Chicago River, answers, "Not so long as Britain has a great preponderance of fast merchant ships capable of being quickly converted into 6 inch auxiliary cruisers and commerce destroyers." Middle left panel: Stodgy executive-type seated behind impressive desk and bookcases, offers: "No, but we may in 1938 -- if the U.S. builds up to the limit allowed by the treaty -- and if Britain waits till we catch up." Middle right panel: Pudgy wader in old-time swimsuit on crowded Chicago beach front observes, "We get parity in submarines, destroyers and aircraft carriers -- and possibly in 8 inch cruisers six years from now -- inferiority in capital ships and 6 inch cruisers." Lower left panel: Driver stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic (some things in Chicago never change), opines, "Possibly in American waters eventually but not on our distant trade routes." Lower right panel: Pedestrian clinging to Chicago River street bridge as it rises up shouts to reporter clinging to other side, "Not so long as we are hopelessly inferior in naval bases." Unlike contemporary editorial cartoons, which would never get away with so much text, earlier editorial cartoons such as this prime example often took more than a few seconds to grasp and assumed a firm understanding of detailed political topics of the day. Signed simply "McCutcheon" at lower right, as usual.…