BOB JONES (1926-2018) et al. The Saipan Daily Target Military Newspaper Cartoon Archive. Archive of 13 original cartoons for, and associated issues of the Saipan Daily Target, a newsletter produced for American troops stationed on the island of Saipan in the aftermath of World War 2 in the Pacific Front, 1944-1946. Various dimensions up to 9 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches.
The cartoon which arguably displays the most artistic skill is by Bob Jones (1926-2018), who worked in animation at Warner Bros. as a young man before the war, was enlisted in the Navy from 1944 to 1946, and went on to a long career as a commercial artist, which included work for the Saturday Evening Post, MAD Magazine, as well as a long stint illustrating the famous "Tiger in Your Tank" ads for Esso.
All other cartoons in the archive are for a recurring gag cartoon series "Corporal Jablooey," apparently by the newspaper's editor Aaron Adams, who keenly lampooned military life (though sometimes featuring quite dark and risqué subjects) and displayed a competent (albeit unpolished) art style.
A number of the matching publications for original cartoons are included in the lot. The diminutive 4 page newspapers (these examples dated between January and April of 1946) also featured various news stories, pinup photos, and reprints of editorial cartoons and famous comic strips such as Dick Tracy, Terry and the PIrates, and Blondie.
Overall this archive is a remarkable snapshot of GI life in the Pacific soon after the war, and the efforts to bring levity to the troops during a very challenging time.
