Carl E. "Chick" Larsen papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Commonwealth University, Cabell Library
James Branch Cabell Library
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 842003
901 Park Avenue
Richmond, VA 23284-2003
Contact for questions and access:
POC: SCA Staff
Phone: (804) 828-1108
Fax: (804) 828-0151
Restrictions:

This collection is opern for research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions

Preferred citation:

Carl E. "Chick" Larsen papers, 1950-1989, Collection # M 417, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Summary

Extent:
13.76 Linear Feet and one oversize drawer.
Creator:
Larsen, Carl Edgar"Chick" (1923 -1991) and Larsen, Barbara
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Carl E. "Chick" Larsen papers, 1950-1989, Collection # M 417, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection primarily contains Larsen's editorial and other cartoon works from his time with the Richmond Times-Dispatch. This includes final copies as well as drafts and sketches of ideas. There are also newspaper copies of many of these works, particularly his "Carrier Toons" series. The remainder of the collection is a small selection of correspondence, materials from his time as a student at Richmond Professional Institute, other professional work outside of his career as a cartoonist, and industry publications.

Biographical / historical:

Carl E. "Chick" Larsen was born in Newport News, Virginia, on February 2 1923. He acquired the nickname "Chicken," later shortened to "Chick," after eating three whole chickens after a skating outing with friends when he was 18. During World War II he served as a water tender third class in the U.S. Navy on the USS Argon. He married Dorothy M. McCutcheon in May 1944 and worked as a machinist in Newport News after the war. The Larsens had three children Carl Daniel, Karen, and Barbara. In 1950, the family moved to Richmond, Virginia, where Chick enrolled in the Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University), graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Commercial Art.

Chick Larsen is best known for his editorial work, much of which appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch during his tenure at the newspaper, beginning as a staff artist in 1951. He was made an editorial cartoonist in 1968 and remained so until 1977 when he was appointed graphics presentation manager in the advertising department for Richmond Newspapers, Inc. His "Carrier Toons" strip was syndicated in Sunday newspapers from 1978 to 1986, and his work was featured on magazine ad book covers. He retired in 1988 and died in April 1991.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into three series, Series 1: Original Work, Series 2: Correspondence and Personal Materials, and Series 3: Bound Publications.

Series 1: Original Work is subdivided into 5 subseries: 1.1 Editorial Cartoons by Subject are undated final-draft editoral cartoons organized by primary subject. They are then arranged alphabetically in the finding aid for ease of discoverability. Physically they are arranged by subject and by size. Oversized materials are housed separately from smaller materials. 1.2 Editorial Cartoons by Date are arranged chronologically. 1.3 Editorial Cartoon Drafts are drafts of Larsen's editorial cartoons, filed alphabetically by subject. 1.4 Other Original Work is cartoonist work from Larsen outside of his editorial cartoons, including RPI classwork, Carrier Toons, mock-ups, and sketches. They are arraned alphabetically and chronologically therein. 1.5 Other Print Works are published copies of Larsen's original works, including book jackets and magazine covers, work for municipal governments, flyers, RPI publications, and newspaper clippings. They are arranged alphabetically and chronologically therein.

Series 2: Correpsondence and Personal Materials contains the correspondence of Chick Larsen, as well as a few family photographs. This series is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.

Series 3: Bound Publications contains bound materials such as conference programs, catalogs, and books. They are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Names:
Larsen, Barbara