The family of Jerry Robinson, creator of Batman characters The Joker and Robin has donated 60 pieces of original cartoon art to the Cartoon Art Museum. Most pieces are art from other famous cartoonists such as George Herriman, Bud Fisher, Milton Caniff, Walt Kelly and Winsor McCay.
The donation largely consists of comic strips dating back to the turn of the century, and only one piece of Robinson’s own work, a “Jet Scott” comic strip from 1954, written by Sheldon Stark. Other highlights include “Wash Tubs” by Roy Crane, “Li’l Abner” by Al Capp, “Baron Bean” by George Herriman (who’s best known for a strip called “Krazy Kat”),“Gasoline Alley” by Frank King, “Mutt & Jeff” by Bud Fisher, “Steve Canyon” by Milton Caniff, “Pogo” by Walt Kelly, and two pieces by Winsor McCay, including a hand-painted “Dream of the Rarebit Fiend” strip.
“These are the first originals by Winsor McCay in the Cartoon Art Museum’s permanent collection, and it’s extra special that these pieces come to us from a friend like Jerry Robinson,” said Farago.
Some of the strips in the photo are vintage Walt Kelly Pogo strips!