Percy W. Cromwell cartoons, circa 1918-1932

Summary

Creator:

Cromwell, Percy W.

Abstract:

Artist for the Detroit Times. Editorial cartoons and sketches relating to local political and social issues.

Extent:

570 items (in 40 folders; approximate)

Language:

English

Call Number:

92726 UA 2

Authors:

Finding aid created by Michigan Historical Collections staff

Background

Scope and Content:

The Cromwell collection consists of ca. 570 original editorial cartoons intended for publication in the Detroit Times. The subjects of the cartoons are primarily Detroit and Michigan politics, government, and public issues. The topics are a reflection of the times: the automobile, traffic problems, gasoline prices, the impact of the Ku Klux Klan in local elections, prohibition, public transportation, and crime and law enforcement. Many of the cartoons concern the public personalities of the time: Mayor Frank Murphy, Henry Ford, Governor Alexander Groesbeck, Ty Cobb. The cartoons range in size from 14 1/2" x 11 1/2" to 14 1/2" x 20".

Biographical / Historical:

Little is known of the life of Percy W. Cromwell, except that he was an editorial cartoonists for the Detroit Times in the period of approximately 1918 to 1932.

Acquisition Information:

The collection was acquired in 1976.

Arrangement:

The cartoons have been arranged into the following headings:

1. Automobile Interests (including General Motors) -- Folder 1, 8 items
2. Aviation Interests -- Folder 2, 25 items
3. Charities -- Folder 3, 7 items
4. Corruption and scandals, I (including Fred Green) -- Folder 4, 15 items
5. Corruption and scandals, II -- Folder 5, 15 items
6. Courts -- Folder 6, 9 items
7. Crime and law enforcement, I (see also prohibition)(including Alexander Groesbeck and Death penalty) -- Folder 7, 22 items
8. Crime and law enforcement, II -- Folder 8, 24 items
9. Elections, I (including Alexander Groesbeck and Ku Klux Klan) -- Folder 9, 19 items
10. Elections II (including Alexander Groesbeck and Ku Klux Klan) -- Folder 10, 19 items
11. Fire prevention -- Folder 11, 3 items
12. Gasoline prices -- Folder 12, 8 items
13. House of David -- Folder 13, 3 items
14. Labor, I (see also Legislation and proposals) -- Folder 14, 15 items
15. Labor, II -- Folder 15, 14 items
16. Legislation and proposals (see also Labor) -- Folder 16, 16 items
17. Milk prices -- Folder 17, 7 items
18. Miscellaneous, I -- Folder 18, 16 items
19. Miscellaneous, II (including Housing) -- Folder 19, 15 items
20. Murphy, Frank -- Folder 20, 5 items
21. Politics and politicians (including Henry Ford and Alexander Groesbeck) -- Folder 21, 10 items
22. Press -- Folder 22, 3 items
23. Prohibition, I -- Folder 23, 20 items
24. Prohibition, II -- Folder 24, 7 items
25. Public health and safety (including Air and water pollution) -- Folder 25, 21 items
26. Reapportionment -- Folder 26, 6 items
27. Schools -- Folder 27, 9 items
28. Seasonal subjects (see also Labor) -- Folder 28, 20 items
29. Sports (including Detroit Tigers and Ty Cobb) -- Folder 29, 15 items
30. Taxes -- Folder 30, 5 items
31. Traffic problems, I -- Folder 31, 22 items
32. Traffic problems, II -- Folder 32, 23 items
33. Traffic problems, III -- Folder 33, 22 items
34. Traffic problems, IV -- Folder 34, 22 items
35. Transportation -- Folder 35, 17 items
36. Transportation -- Folder 36, 18 items
37. Transportation -- Folder 37, 17 items
38. Utility rates -- Folder 38, 22 items
39. Voting -- Folder 39, 18 items
40. War and peace -- Folder 40, 10 items

Accruals:

No further additions to the papers are expected.

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Subjects

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Subjects:

Aeronautics.
Automobile industry.
Crime.
Criminals.
Political elections.
Politics and government.
Pollution.
Prohibition -- Michigan.
Street-railroads -- Michigan -- Detroit.
Traffic accidents.

Formats:

Cartoons.

Names:

Detroit Tigers (Baseball team)
House of David.
Ku Klux Klan (1915-)
Cobb, Ty, 1886-1961.
Ford, Henry, 1863-1947.
Green, Fred W. (Fred Warren), 1872-1936.
Groesbeck, Alexander J. (Alexander Joseph), 1873-1953.