Crockett Johnson: Bibliography of Early Work

Crockett Johnson’s Early Work: A Bibliography

For a more complete bibliography of Johnson’s work, please click here.

Editorial cartoons, New Masses, 1934-1940

When compiling this, I read through microfilms of the paper from 1926 up through the end of 1941, which led me to believe that Johnson ceased writing cartoons for New Masses after May 1940. However, New Masses is now much more accessible via the Marxist Internet Archive (pdfs of everything!). So, to see these cartoons or to search for more, go to the digital archive.

“HARRIET HERE IS PRACTICALLY AN AUTHORITY ON COMMUNISTS. SHE WRITES PIECES ABOUT THEM IN THE NEW YORKER.” 17 April 1934: 4.

“It’s the real thing, Mr. Millikan. Shall I wire the New York Times?” and separate cartoon depicting God and angels. 3 July 1934: 41. Both drawings accompany “Philistine’s Progress,” an article by Granville Hicks.

“THEY’RE NOT EVEN CITIZENS.” 10 July 1934: 29.

“Radiogram, Mr. Morgan. The White House wants to know are you better off than you were last year?” 17 July 1934: 9.

Portrait of Betrand Russell. 17 July 1934: 25.

Portrait of John Dewey. 17 July 1934: 26. Both cartoons accompany “Dewey, Russell and Cohen. I: Why They Are Anti-Communist,” the first part of an article by Paul Slater and Jack Librome, pp. 24-27.

“Just because your greedy workmen decide to go on strike I can’t have a new Mercedes. Somehow it doesn’t seem fair.” 7 Aug. 1934: 22.

“Aw, be a sport. Tell the newsreel audience you still have faith in the Lawd and good old Franklin D.” 28 Aug. 1934: 7. Reprinted in Robert Forsythe’s Redder Than the Rose (1935), p. 232.

“My God, what will Mr. Hearst say? We left out the battleships this week!” 11 Sept. 1934: 24.

“Somehow I don’t feel that the eyes of the nation is on us this season.” 2 Oct. 1934: 41. Reprinted in Robert Forsythe’s Redder Than the Rose (1935), p. 101.

“All dat dere bad grammar and coise woids in me letter to dat lousy radical paper is on account of dat’s d’ only kinda language dem reds can understand.” 20 Nov. 1934: 11.

“First, we tell his majesty about the flowers; then very gently, lead up to the Marxism.” 18 Dec. 1934: 26.

“But regimentation won’t hamper your individuality, Eustace; this Fascism racket will give real freedom to our artistic souls.” 18 Dec. 1934: 29.

Full-page, 8-part cartoon without caption. 25 Dec. 1934: 7.

“Was it Marx, Lenin, or Gen. Johnson who said: ‘The general strike is quite another matter’?” 1 Jan. 1935: 38.

“George says you can’t stop war. It’s man’s nature to fight.” 15 Jan 1935: 29.

“Mr. Hearst says he’ll buy your farm articles if you’ll just change ‘Arkansas,’ ‘Louisiana,’ ‘California,’ and so on, to Soviet Russia.” 28 May 1935: 26.

“You gentlemen take it too seriously. After all war is only a game — like chess.” 4 June 1935: 12.

“Nothing doing! If he ain’t a citizen he can’t join!” 25 June 1935: 16.

“Next year we’ll be out there throwing the big bad world for a loss, eh, Koscianiewicz?” 5 Nov. 1935: 22.

“Put in a strong word against the union. The big boss just kicked in with a century.” 4 Feb. 1936: 18.

“The President’s secretary says for you to file all applications for flood relief in the lower right hand drawer.” 7 April 1936: 21.

“If you haven’t read Escape from the Soviets you don’t know how lucky you and I are here in America.” 7 April 1936: 28.

“I’ll contribute if you really think that we can bring about Fascism in a gentlemanly way.” 14 April 1936: 15.

“Did you see what the Daily Worker called me today, Brisbane? An octopus!” 10 Nov. 1936: 15.

“No one here goes over my head, Withers. Next time you pray to God for a raise, you’re fired!” 20 April 1937: 8.

“Jefferson Caffery, master meddler.” 13 July 1937: 12.

“Copeland — Tammany’s choice?” 20 July 1937: 11.

“I AM A REAL RED!” 27 July 1937: cover.

“WE, THE PEOPLE.” 7 Dec. 1937: 3.

“PEOPLE’S FRONT.” 4 Jan. 1938: 12.

“ANTI-PIRACY PATROL.” 15 Feb. 1938: 8.

“The Primary Candidate Who Tried to Make a Mountain Out of a Mole-Hill.” 17 May 1938: 16.

“WALL STREET & COMPANY ACCIDENT INSURANCE POLICY.” 24 May 1938: 4-5.

“We need men like you, Mr. Barton.” 11 Oct. 1938: 15.

Nazi soldier marching. 29 Nov. 1938: 3.

“PIED PIPER.” 13 Dec. 1938: 15.

“Private Capital at Work.” 7 Feb. 1939: 11.

“Wanna help your great big senator celebrate, baby? Let’s go to a show.” 11 July 1939: 13.

“WARNS HITLER NEWS ITEM CHAMBERLAIN WARNS HITLER NEWS ITEM CHAMBERLAIN WARNS HITLER NEWS ITEM CHAMBERLAIN WARNS HITLER NEWS.” 18 July 1939: 11.

“Tory Congressman Goes Home.” 15 Aug. 1939: 8.

“That dirty Russian deserted us!” 5 Sept. 1939: 20.

“A Social-Democrat Leader Does His Bit.” 31 Oct. 1939: 11.

“This is you, Williams, defending your mother in Pennsylvania.” 19 Dec. 1939: 7.

“THIS HOME IS UNFAIR TO BURGLARS.” 26 Dec. 1939: 18.

“WONDERFULLUMS INC.” 2 Jan. 1940: 28.

“The Sun Never Sets on the British Flag.” 23 Jan 1940: 18.

“ASPCA and the Lion.” 5 March 1940: 21.

“A Question Looks at Both Sides of a Liberal.” 19 March 1940: 10.

“Have you written any good books lately?” 2 Apr. 1940: 16.

“Liberal at the Crossroads.” 14 May 1940: 6. Reprinted in New Masses: An Anthology of the Rebel Thirties (edited by Joseph North), p. 187.

“The Little Man with the Eyes,” Collier’s, 1940-1943

The untitled cartoon known as “The Little Man with the Eyes” appeared in Collier’s Weekly from March 1940 to January 1943. I have paged through each Collier’s from July 1939 through January 1943 (according to Current Biography of 1943, Johnson published these cartoons through January 1943).

“Table Tennis.” 9 March 1940: 28.

“Steam Shovel.” 16 March 1940: 26.

“TIGER.” 23 March 1940: 34.

“Murder Mystery.” 30 March 1940: 71.

“Speedboat.” 6 April 1940: 32.

“Miss.” 13 April 1940: 48.

“Taxis — with fares.” 20 April 1940: 27.

“Foul! Strike two.” 27 April 1940: 30.

“Three-cushion shot.” 4 May 1940: 70.

“Straight flush.” 11 May 1940: 46. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 7.

“Minute hand.” 18 May 1940: 55. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 154.

“Leap Frog.” 25 May 1940: 30.

“News Item.” 1 June 1940: 27. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 28.

“FIFTH RACE.” 8 June 1940: 31.

“FLY.” 15 June 1940: 88.

“BELLY FLOPPER.” 22 June 1940: 64.

“Chess.” 29 June 1940: 29.

“EMPTY SADDLE.” 6 July 1940: 48.

“HIGH BUILDING.” 13 July 1940: 27.

“TARGET.” 27 July 1940: 29.

“Dirt Road.” 3 Aug. 1940: 35.

“High-Pressure Salesman.” 10 Aug. 1940: 35.

“Telegraph Poles.” 17 Aug. 1940.

“Hook.” 24 Aug. 1940. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 108.

“Slice.” 31 Aug. 1940. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 108.

“Sheep.” 7 Sept. 1940: 27.

“Alarm Clock.” 14 Sept. 1940: 29.

“Wood Splitter.” 21 Sept. 1940: 32.

“Snub.” 28 Sept. 1940. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 146. Cartoon Cavalcade (1943): 377.

“Aquarium.” 5 Oct. 1940: 33.

“Collection Plate.” 12 Oct. 1940: 57.

“No Riders.” 19 Oct. 1940.

“French Pastry.” 26 Oct. 1940: 50. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 59.

“Partner’s Trump.” 2 Nov. 1940: 30. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 67.

“Watched Kettle.” 9 Nov. 1940: 64.

“Loop.” 16 Nov. 1940.

“Pinball.” 23 Nov. 1940: 75.

“Knockdown.” 30 Nov. 1940: 53.

“Brights.” 7 Dec. 1940: 58.

“Program Rustler.” 14 Dec. 1940: 47.

“Raconteur.” 21 Dec. 1940.

“Gift.” 28 Dec. 1940: 38. Note: tie is green (in color ink).

“Entree — Price.” 4 Jan. 1941: 35.

“Split.” 11 Jan. 1941: 36.

“Bridge Argument.” 18 Jan 1941: 41.

“Traffic Cop” 25 Jan. 1941: 31.

“Begging Dog.” 1 Feb. 1941: 57. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 40.

“Finesse.” 8 Feb. 1941: 45. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 135.

“Celebrity.” 15 Feb. 1941: 31.

“Smoke.” 22 Feb. 1941: 67.

“Wet Paint.” 1 March 1941: 57. Note: paint is dark green (in color ink).

“March Wind.” 8 March 1941: 53.

“Movies: Front Row.” 15 March 1941. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 102.

“Three rings (and an aerial act).” 22 March 1941: 61.

“April Fool.” 5 April 1941: 39. Note: not the same as 4 April 1942.

“New Pursuit Plane.” 12 April 1941: 78.

“Street Salesman.” 19 April 1941: 60.

“Art Gallery.” 26 April 1941: 77.

“Dentist.” 3 May 1941: 30.

“Tough Neighborhood.” 10 May 1941: 65.

“Drawbridge.” 17 May 1941: 65.

“Long Freight.” 24 May 1941: 52.

“Singing Telegram.” 31 May 1941: 46.

“Hat and Coat.” 7 June 1941: 39.

“Banquet Cigars.” 14 June 1941: 25.

“Yours trulg.” 21 June 1941: 27. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 125.

“Black Cat.” 28 June 1941: 73.

“Taximeter.” 5 July 1941: 31.

“Waiter’s Eye.” 12 July 1941: 54.

“Dummy.” 26 July 1941: 29.

“Insomnia.” 2 Aug. 1941: 47. Repr. Collier’s Collects Its Wits (1941): 89.

“Fish Story.” 9 Aug. 1941: 47.

“Double Play.” 16 Aug. 1941: 46.

“Three Forks.” 23 Aug. 1941: 42.

“TEN-POUNDER.” 30 Aug. 1941: 35. Note: “TEN” has an “X” through it, with “Twenty” written above.

“Roller Coaster.” 13 Sept. 1941: 43.

“Hot Soup.” 20 Sept. 1941: 73.

“Crooked Picture.” 27 Sept. 1941.

“Exciting Movie.” 4 Oct. 1941: 45.

“Shoeshine.” 11 Oct. 1941: 89.

“After-dinner speaker.” 18 Oct. 1941: 75.

“Smallest Piece.” 25 Oct. 1941: 27.

“Burnt Tablecloth.” 1 Nov. 1941: 43.

“Sidewalk Baby.” 8 Nov. 1941: 69.

“Informal Flash Photo.” 15 Nov. 1941: 89.

“Temperature?” 22 Nov. 1941: 73.

“Air Bump.” 29 Nov. 1941: 44.

“Express Elevator — Up.” 6 Dec. 1941: 72.

“Decrescendo — Fortissimo.” 13 Dec. 1941: 53.

“Dripping Faucet.” 20 Dec. 1941: 43.

“Handkerchiefs for Aunt Sarah.” 27 Dec. 1941: 65.

“Boy with Snowballs.” 3 Jan. 1942: 36.

“Scene of Last Night’s Party.” 10 Jan. 1942: 51.

“Double Combination Super-Frappé de Luxe.” 17 Jan. 1942.

“Car in Pedestrian Lane.” 24 Jan. 1942: 57.

“Our Planes.” 31 Jan. 1942: 53.

“Three News Items and a Commercial.” 7 Feb. 1942: 61.

“Buffet Supper.” 21 Feb. 1942.

“Mirror.” 28 Feb. 1942: 51.

“Soft Shoulders.” 7 March 1942: 53.

“Sour Note.” 14 March 1942: 43.

“Warning.” 21 March 1942: 63.

“Sugar Bowl.” 28 March 1942: 56.

“April Fool.” 4 April 1942: 37. Note: not the same as 5 April 1941.

“Conga Line.” 11 April 1942: 53.

“Arm Band.” 18 April 1942: 57.

“New (and pretty) Passenger.” 25 April 1942: 44.

“Too Easy Chair.” 2 May 1942: 61.

“Empty Glass.” 9 May 1942: 41.

“Flashing Light.” 16 May 1942: 47.

“Motor Trip.” 23 May 1942: 51.

“Victory Gardens.” 30 May 1942: 50.

“Antique Chair.” 6 June 1942: 55.

“Six-year-old-charge on a swing.” 13 June 1942: 38.

“Only the Cat.” 20 June 1942: 59.

“Letter Box.” 27 June 1942: 41.

“Nothing.” 4 July 1942.

“Tennis Duffer.” 11 July 1942.

“Seat.” 18 July 1942: 56.

“Ash Tray.” 25 July 1942: 60.

“Sidewalk Menace.” 1 Aug. 1942.

“‘Please pass it along.'” 8 Aug. 1942.

“Fire Engines.” 15 Aug. 1942.

“Crack of Light.” 5 Sept. 1942.

“Office Switchboard — After Hours.” 12 Sept. 1942.

“ZZZ-ZZZZZZ-ZZ-ZZZZ.” 19 Sept. 1942.

“Mail Plane.” 3 Oct. 1942: 47.

“Home Movies.” 10 Oct. 1942: 69.

“Air-Raid Duty — 12 to 4 A.M.” 17 Oct. 1942: 48.

“G-RRRRRR!” 14 Nov. 1942: 56.

“Dinner Next Door.” 19 Dec. 1942: 27.

“Air Raid Duty,” 2 Jan. 1943: 65.

“January 2, 1942.” 9 Jan. 1943.