Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Manuscripts
Paul Conrad Papers
- Description
Professional and personal papers of Paul Conrad, including original cartoons, rough sketches, correspondence, book, speech and lawsuit files, photographs, ephemera and tear sheets. The collection is in three parts, based on acquisition. Part I is the bulk of the collection, and parts II and III are mainly original cartoons. Original cartoons from the Denver Post are not represented in this collections.
Original cartoons (Boxes 1-106), arranged chronologically, starting in 1967. There are 40- 50 cartoons per box. Each cartoon has its own folder. Original cartoons- oversize (Boxes 107- 167), arranged chronologically (independent of smaller original series), starting in 1959. There are 40- 50 cartoons per box. Each cartoon has its own folder. Rough sketches and photocopies (Boxes 168- 191), arranged chronologically in six-month groups. Sketches are matched with a photocopy of the final cartoon when possible. Correspondence (Boxes 192- 211), arranged alphabetically. Each author has a separate folder, and this series consists of fan mail, hate mail, and requests for drawings in addition to personal correspondence. Includes political and other prominent figures as well as letters Conrad has labeled "Regular Nuts", "Threats" and "Worth Saving". Much of the hate mail is cartoons that readers have altered to fit their sentiments by changing captions or adding drawings and sent back to Conrad. There is more fan mail than hate mail. A lot of the fan mail is people asking for favorite prints. The Conrads regularly donated original drawings or prints to mainly liberal groups for handgun control, first amendment rights, the ACLU, as well as church, children's and educational groups. Correspondence from prominent figures includes mainly political figures depicted by Conrad responding (mostly positively)to his cartoons, a number of letters from Gerald Ford, with whom Conrad participated in a "Humor and the Presidency" symposium. Also, correspondence from widows or children of people Conrad did memorial cartoon tributes for. Book files (Box 212), arranged chronologically by book. Books include Drawn and Quartered, Gang of Nine, The King and Us, Pro and Conrad, and When in the Course of Current Events. Includes chapters, contracts, correspondence, and proposals for other books and projects. Lectures and Speeches (Box 213- 216), arranged chronologically. Each speech has its own folder, titled when possible. Includes some Whittier College class lectures, and speeches to various groups. There is a lot of overlap in this series, often with only a different one-page introduction. Lawsuits (Box 217), Conrad was sued twice for defamation of character, once by Mayor Tom Yorty and once by Union Oil's CEO Fred Hartly. He was also sued by Bill Mauldin for using the characters Willie and Joe. Also, miscellaneous cases (flag burning, First Amendment) in which Conrad is interested or is listed as Amicus Curiae. Photographs (Boxes 218- 220), arranged chronologically. Many are portraits of Conrad at his drawing table, also photographs from journalism events, balloon races, and photos sent by friends. Notable people appearing in photographs include Gerald Ford, Ethel Kennedy, Art Buchwald and Conrad's wife Kay. Many were not well labeled, and the given dates are estimates based on how Conrad looks compared to photos where dates are known. Also, one binder of slides, mostly of his cartoons. Ephemera (Boxes 221- 227), arranged in alphabetical sub-categories. Includes lists, photocopies, exhibit materials, newspaper clippings and calendars. Tear sheets (Boxes 228- 237), unbound and bound, arranged chronologically. Conrad's cartoons from the Denver Post. Original cartoons- Part II (Boxes 238- 264), arranged chronologically, from 1995- 2000. There are 40- 50 cartoons per box. Each cartoon has its own folder. Rough sketches and photocopies- Part II (Boxes 265- 270) arranged chronologically in six-month, one year or multi-decade groups. Sketches are matched with a photocopy of the final cartoon when possible, but this is rare. Correspondence- Part II (Boxes 270- 271), arranged alphabetically. Photographs- Part II (Box 271), arranged chronologically. Ephemera- Part II (Boxes 271- 272), arranged in alphabetical subcategories. Includes comment cards from the Huntington Library exhibit, lists and photocopies, and miscellaneous items. Original cartoons- Part III (Boxes 273- 284), arranged chronologically, from 2001- 2003. There are 40- 50 cartoons per box. Each cartoon has its own folder.
