Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-19
NEW FORKS COMIC JOURNALS.
HUMOROUS NEWSPAPERS THAT ADD
TO LIES ENJOYMENT.
Story of Their Rise and Progress-Some
Have Long Lives and Others
Die Early.


men in this country cast envious eyes at
the great comic journals of Europe, which
have contributed so largely to the making
of history across the water, and although
from the earlier part of the century in
Vulnerable humorous weeklies were started
from time to time, and in some instances
enjoyed fleeing popularity, not one Of
them was really successful until P,tck be-
came firmly established in the popular re-
gard. PucRs prosperity began less than a
decade ago and paved the way for the sue
cess of several other papers of its class.
1t is no exaggeration to say that the
number of comic papers which have failed
in this country runs far into the hundreds,
and the amount of money squandered on
them far into the millions of dollars.
There were many reasons for these fail
ures, chief among which was the fact that
they had to create field for themselves,
whereas nowadays the comic weekly is
looked upon as a necessity, and a new
venture in that line has only to secure for
itself share of the patronage which
stands ready for any publication with fun
in it.
OF the great comic papers of Europe,
the Fiiegeade BlaetteT, published in Mu--
mich, is by far the best. Messrs. Braun &
Schneider, its projectors and editors, have
one of the best and most complete print
ing establishments in the world, and,
moreover, receive gratuitous contributions
from the very best humorous artists in
Germany, who esteem it high honor to
have their pictures appear in such a pop
ular journal. They have no regular staff,
but rely entirely on outside contributions.
Among the artists who have been brought
into prominence by the Fliegende Bldetter
may be mentioned Wilhelm Busch, Ober-
laender and Schlittgen, the last named
occupying in German society position
similar to that which Du Maurier enisys
In England.
Another German paper which has ex-
erted great influence politically is the
Berlin ktadderddatSch, which started dur
ing the revolution of 1913 and has been a
leader of the opposition ever since. 1t
has numbered among lis readers the EN-
peror Nicholas of Russia, the Emperor
Louis Napoleon, and, indeed, nearly every
statesman and potentate in Europe. Its
caricatures ofNapoleon's waxed mustache
and the three hairs on Bismarck's head
helped to make it famous from one end of
the world to the other. These were the
work of Wilhelm Scholz, who has been
identified with the paper ever since its
inception in the stormy days of AS. and is
still the chief member of its staff. Herr
Scholz is the oldest caricaturists in Europe
and, although but poor draughtsman, is
noted for the force and humor of his pic
lures.
In Paris the Journal Angsaat and La
Cdrtcdture stand first among the multitude
OF comic weeklies. Grevin, Mars and
Caran d'Ache may be mentioned as the
most popular artists contributing to these
papers.
Punch is, of course, the leading funny
paper of England, and Du Maurier and
Tenniel are its principal artists. Du Mau.
rier stands unrivaled as a delineator of
English society, while Tenniers political
cartoons, taken by themselves are a COM
piete history of England during the past
quarter of century.
ALI these papers were carefully studied
by Messrs. Keppler and Schwarzmann
when they started Puck, and they wisely
determined to initiate none of them in
their American venture. Their colored
cartoons attracted attention from the first.
but 1t was leng time before the paper be-
came an assured success. MANY time
the question of abandoning the English
edition was seriously discussed in the Puck
Office, and it was weary and discouraginp
struggle before it finally reached paving
basis.
Sydney Rosenfeld was the first editor of
Puck. He was succeeded by II. C. Bunner.
who still holds the position, and is also
well known as writer of stories and verse.
Rosenfeld meantime has achieved renowu
as writer and adapter of plays and IL
prettl. j. A. Wales, an artist OF great
originality and ability, left Pack to found
the Judge, and died few years ago. Fred.
Opper, who came from Frank Leslie's to
i'ack, IS still member of the staff and is
one of the best comic artists in the coun-
try. lie possesses the rare art of making
pictures that are really funny in them
selves, and awaken laughter in the be-
holder before he has time to decipher the
legend which accompanies them. A COL
lection OF his best pictures has been pub
hshed in a volume called the "Opper
G. Jay Taylor, one of the best artists on
the paper, was formerly on the GrdD6ie
His industry is shown by the quantity of
his work, while its fine qualities mark him
as a conscientious and talented man.
Il. X. Munkittrick, well known as n
poet and humorist, has been member of
the staff for about eight years, and was
prior to that time on Vjid Oats. which
snccumhed TO the fell destroyer about the
time that Its colored rival appeared in the
held. Mr.. Munkittrick has solemn face
and witty tongue. He resides in Sum
INIT, \. j., and does most of his work at
home
The German edition Of Puck is edited by
Carl Hauser, who has also been an actor
and playwright. Mr.. Hauser enjoys great
popularity amona the Germans of New
York, and is in great demand on all fes-
tive occasions, when he is invariably called
upon for poem or recitation.
1tfeRs rival, Jadge, was established few
years ago, after the downfall of CHIC by j.
a. Wales aud after various vicissitudes
fell into the hands of j. w. Arkell. its
present proprietor. The first editor Of
Judge was George Small, since dead, who
wrote under the name of Briektop.p He
was succeeded by George II. Jessop. the
well-known writer of plays It's present
editor is Isaac NJ. Gregory, formerly of the
Graphic.
The artistic head of the paper is Bern
hard Gillian, who was for some time one
OF the chief csrtoonisis on Puck. 1t was
during this period that he made himself
famous by his pictures of the "Tattooed
Man" which unquestionably had immense
weight IN the campaign of 1884. Mn
Gillian is an Englishman by birth. but
came 70 this country so young that he is
an American to all intents and purposes.
lie has an obseryant eye, plenty of ideas
and remarkable ability as a political car
toonist. Associated with him on JUDGE
are Mr.. Zimmerman and IL. s. Goodwin.
The former began his artistic career on
Puck, and left that journal with Mr.. Gillian
70 assume his present position on ,gl,siee,
Mr.. GOODWIN makes speciality of ideas
and rough designs for cartoons. He also
writes sketches and dialogues for ,JuR0e
and other comic papers. His income f.om
these sources is said to be very large.
Another PAPER which has proved sue
eessial m more senses than one Is Life.
which was founded about eight years ago
by j. A. Mitchell, the artist. Associated