Brooks, Charles (Editor)

Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year: 1979 Edition

ISBN: 0882892290
Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing Company, 1979. First Edition. Signed by Charles Brooks. “More than 360 eye-catching cartoons from the pens of 130 of the leading political cartoonists from the United States, Canada, and Latin America make this volume a concise pictorial history of the year’s events. Focusing upon the 24 major news stories of 1978, this volume, the seventh in an annual series, presents virtually every political point of view–liberal, conservative, middle-of-the-road, and fringe positions as well.”--from inside front cover of dust jacket. Offered today is the 1979 edition of Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year edited by Charles Brooks (1920–2011). Brooks was an editorial cartoonist for The Birmingham News in Birmingham, Alabama, where he first came to prominence denouncing/criticizing the Ku Klux Klan which had a number of powerful supporters at the time. Cutting his teeth and making his career in editorial cartoons, Brooks would go on to serve as president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists in 1969 and edited an annual volume of the Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year since 1972 for Pelican Books. This particular volume is the seventh in the series of annuals and focuses primarily on the successes and travails of the Carter Administration; the burgeoning taxpayer’s revolt; the Camp David negotiations; America’s growing economic problems; the history-making test tube baby; and the selection of a new pope. As in previous editions, this volume was edited by Charles Brooks, past president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) and cartoonist for the Birmingham, Alabama News for three decades. Also featured is an illuminating foreword on the art of the political cartoon by Jerry Robinson (1922–2011), who began his career as an illustrator for Batman comics and was responsible for creating “The Joker,” the first super-villain of comics. As Robinson emphasizes, the political cartoonist "is at once an artist, social critic, and political analyst." (pg. 10) It is his task to expose promiscuity, illusions, social pretensions, and sacred cows. As the examples herein prove, these cartoonists have upheld the high standard of the craft. Signed in thin gold ink at title page by the author, an inscription reads: “To Bill Plumb–with best wishes, Charles Brooks.” Hardcover in clipped dust jacket. First Edition though not explicated as such at copyright page, presumed first printing though similarly not explicated as such. Book is in very fine condition with only minimal wear to fine edges; dust jacket is in very fine condition with minor wear to fine edges and some smudging to front and back covers. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #7297]

Price: $70.00