Please Bring Me My Papa: A Christmas Cartoon of the Great War

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Sunday, December 19, 1915. By Nelson Harding.
From Newspapers.com and the Brooklyn Public Library. https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/57516191/

The Junior Eagle section of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle has treasures of vintage poems, children's illustrations, comics and stories. While searching the text of the Christmas editions, I could not help but share this drawing from 1915. This was certainly on the Christmas wish list of many children of The Great War. 

 The art work is credited to a Nelson Harding (1879 - 1944) the Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. This cartoon could be seen an ancestor of his winning 1928 cartoon "May His Shadow Never Grow Less". 

May His Shadow Never Grow Less - By Nelson Harding - The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 15, 1927, via Newspapers.com, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86219798

 

 

From the Archives: Book Store Find Signed By Shari Lewis!

"One-Minute Bedtime Stories" by Shari Lewis with Lan O'Kun

I am constantly on the lookout for rare and unique materials that represent vintage children's radio and TV programs. Recently at a local bookstore, I came across something that I never thought I would find for just $1.50; a signed children's book by Shari Lewis.

Lewis was an award winning ventriloquist who entertained children across various TV programs for over 35 years. As a millennial, I remember watching "Lamb Chops's Play-Along!" (1992-1995) on my local PBS station. Looking back, I adored Shari Lewis and found her and her puppet characters Lamb Chop, Charley Horse, and Hush Puppy to be very engaging. At the time, I did not realize I was watching a veteran who was in her fifth decade on TV (winning multiple Emmys for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Program too). Neither could I have known I was among the last generation of kids who grew up with her.

I was stunned when she succumbed to cancer in 1998 at the age of 65. Over the years, I have come to know a generation since that do not know of her. Today, Mr. Rogers has a 24 hour channel on Pluto TV and a biography starring Tom Hanks, unlike many other children's TV legends. 

As an adult I am also amazed by how many books, games, and other merchandise Shari and Friends appeared on including this children's book. Lewis was the author of over 50 books. Signed copies of her books go fro $20.00 to $60.00 and even more on eBay. For me, I am not putting on a price on the uniqueness of finding something signed by someone that the eight year old me looked forward to seeing every Saturday morning in a time gone by.