H.T.Webster (1885 - 1952) is mainly associated with the New York Tribune. Several aspects of his work are here relevant. In his award-winning series, The Unseen Audience, he had the bright idea of visualising the mechanics of radio broadcasting, either the training of announcers, or the unnseen responses of the auidence. His major comic invention was the mild Caspar Milquetoast, who was much put upon by the world, for the New York World from 1924. Some of his figure drawing is shaky (feet and hands) but his pacing and dialogue are terrific. The huge unremitting slabs of words, words and more words, contradict the Golden Rules, but are really worth reading. The top row feautures three autobiographical drawings. |