The collection is open for research use.
This collection was purchased from ian Brabner, Rare Americana by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 2 June, 2019.
Edgar "Ed" Wentworth, a resident of South Berwick, Maine, was a comic and political illustrator from 1886 to 1912. His cartoons were published in
His drawings also include rural farmers, portraits, criminals, animals, food, prohibition of alcohol and the temperance movement, and politicians, including presidents of the United States.
While little is known about Ed Wentworth, letters in the collection suggest that he may have had some formal art training from the "Correspondence School of Illustrating in New York" and "The School of Art Criticism." Empty envelopes dated monthly suggest that he might have been a regular contributor to
General Content warning: Twenty three of his cartoons portray racial and ethnic stereotypes, exaggerating the faces and language of marginalized groups of people including African American, Indigenous, Irish, and Jewish people.These materials are preserved for their historical significance even though they are offensive.• This material contains references or imagery involving racism. The purpose of this note is to give users the opportunity to decide whether they need or want to view these materials, or at least, to mentally or emotionally prepare themselves to view the materials.
MSS 16703, Edgar Wentworth cartoons and correspondence, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.
Edgar Wentwork archive of primary material documenting the career of a little-known American cartoon illustrator from 1886 to 1912. There are original cartoons and related correspondence containing approximately 295 pen and ink drawings and sketches, 125 illustrations,170 loose drawings, including his personal album, "Original Pen & Pencil Sketches, A Book of the Etiquette of the Day, by Ed. Wentworth, 1886."
General warning: Twenty three of his cartoons portray racial and ethnic stereotypes, exaggerating the faces and language of marginalized groups of people including African American, Indigenous, Irish, and Jewish people.These materials are preserved for their historical significance even though they are offensive. Some cartoons are clearly offensive with Black face, lynching, and false representations of people. Others are satirical and the line is hard to draw between offensive versus making fun of racial injustice. Some illustrations stimulate important discussions.
His drawings also include rural farmers, portraits, criminals, animals, food, prohibition of alcohol and the temperance movement, and politicians, including presidents of the United States.
The correspondence includes seven letters from publishers about acceptance, rejection, and/or payment for Wentworth's cartoons. There is one letter from Howard, Ainslee & Co., publisher's of
General warning: Twenty three of his cartoons portray racial and ethnic stereotypes, exaggerating the faces and language of marginalized groups of people including African American, Indigenous, Irish, and Jewish people.These materials are preserved for their historical significance even though they are offensive.
Warning: offensive content with depictions of caricatures of marginalized people, Blackface, and lynchings.