Category Archives: British Cartoon Archive

Cartooning Covid-19 – call for volunteer participants

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About the project 

Nicholas Newman, The Sunday Times, 01 Mar 2020. ©
Nick Newman (ref: 109242)

‘Cartooning Covid-19’ will be a 10-week volunteering project which aims to make available cartoons published in national papers during the Covid 19 pandemic between March and December 2020. Through cataloguing these cartoons, we ensure that this important period in recent history is captured in the cartoon catalogue of the British Cartoon Archive for use in learning, teaching and research.

The British Cartoon Archive collects the cartoons published each week in national newspapers (The Times, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Guardian and The Independent). This encapsulates work by artists such as Bob Moran, Nicholas Newman, Peter Schrank, Morten Morland, Peter Brookes and more. 

 

To participate in this project please email cartoons@kent.ac.uk. 

Practicalities 

The project will be carried out using a hybrid model of in-person group sessions and remote virtual cataloguing. However, this opportunity is open to all, so if you do not live locally to Canterbury, you are welcome to join as a fully remote participant. Similarly, if you would prefer to participate in person only, that’s ok too. 

Volunteers will be provided with full training as part of the project, including sessions from the archive team about the BCA and the work they carry out to preserve it and make it available, and they will be given access to library resources where possible, such as newspaper archives and both physical and digital cartoon collections. 

Volunteers will be given a set of cartoons published between March and December 2020, which they will be asked to catalogue by listing details about the cartoons into a spreadsheet with supervision from the Special Collections and Archives team. At the end of the project the resulting spreadsheets of data will be uploaded to the British Cartoon Archive catalogue alongside digital cartoon copies, making these resources available to the public.  

Special Collections and Archives will provide refreshments at in-person events (lunch will not be provided). 

Michael Heath, The Mail on sunday, 05 April 2020. ©Associated Newspapers Ltd. (ref: 109333)

Schedule 

  • In-person sessions will be held fortnightly on Tuesdays from 3rd October through to 5th December 2023 (10 weeks). Sessions will run from 10:30-16:00 with an hour break for lunch. For online only participants, you would be invited to attend the welcome day sessions virtually on Tuesday October 3rd, after which you will be provided with digital copies to describe and catalogue. 
  • Optional online drop-in sessions will be scheduled virtually (via Microsoft Teams) for one hour every other week from Thursday 12th October. These sessions will enable Special Collections and Archives to provide virtual support for volunteers between in-person sessions, while also providing an opportunity for socialising and peer support. 
  • Volunteers are encouraged to participate remotely between in-person sessions. Resources will be made available online through Google Drive.   

Requirements 

There are no specific prerequisites for participating volunteers, however this project will likely suit those with an interest in political satire, art and graphic design, UK politics, or those wishing to learn more about archives.  

Volunteers should be comfortable with using websites and online catalogues, and in using spreadsheets. 

A laptop will be needed for participation during in-person sessions.  These can be supplied by Special Collections and Archives on request, but numbers are very limited so please indicate in advance if this is required. Volunteers are encouraged to provide their own devices where available.  

For remote participation, volunteers will need to have their own laptop or personal computer with internet connection, as well as access to a Google account.  

To participate in this project please email cartoons@kent.ac.uk. 

Morten Morland, The Times 27 April 2020. ©News UK (ref: 109373)

50 years of cartoons at the University of Kent, 2023-2025

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In 1973 the first cartoons arrived at Kent, in the shape of a large deposit of 20,000 cartoons from the Daily Mail and Evening News. This paved the way for the establishment of the Centre for the Study of Cartoons and Caricature (CSCC), which was formally inaugerated at the University of Kent in October 1975. Dr Graham Thomas, who worked at the university’s Politics Department, was instrumental in it’s founding and, along with colleagues such as Colin Seymour-Ure, built the CSCC into one of the largest and most significant collections of cartoons in the UK. Today we know these collections as the British Cartoon Archive. 

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the CSCC and the British Cartoon Archive, we’ll be hosting a variety of events and activities from Summer 2023 through to Winter 2025. Information about these events will be posted here.

The 50/50 Project: Celebrating 50 Years of the British Cartoon Archive (June-December 2023)

A photograph of the volunteers working at tables in our reading room. On top of the tables you can see various books and archival materials.

Our volunteers selecting and reviewing material in the Special Collections and Archives Reaing Room.

This is a volunteer-led project aiming to explore and select 50 cartoons from across the British Cartoon Archive collections to feature in an exhibition in the Templeman Gallery. The project took place on Mondays throughout June 2023.  The exhibition will be on display from October 2023 to Febraury 2024.

After an initial tour of the collections the volunteer group got hands-on with cartoons, searching our catalogues, viewing material, and writing captions, before curating the exhibition.

The exhibition has now been installed and can be viewed in the Templeman Gallery space (first floor, A block) until early February 2024.

Cartooning Covid-19 (October-December 2023)

‘Cartooning Covid-19’ was a 10-week volunteering project which aimed to make available cartoons published in national papers during the Covid 19 pandemic between March and December 2020. Through the description and cataloguing of these cartoons, we will ensure that this important period in recent history is captured in the cartoon catalogue of the British Cartoon Archive for use in learning, teaching and research.  

The project was carried out using a hybrid model of in-person group sessions and remote virtual cataloguing. Volunteers were provided with full training as part of the project, including sessions from the archive team about the BCA and the work they would carry out to preserve it and make it available, and they were given access to library resources such as newspaper archives and both physical and digital cartoon collections.

Morten Morland, The Times 27 April 2020

 

 

 

One of the project volunteers, Amy, had the following to say about the project:

“I have been volunteering with UKC for the past 3 months and I have found it to be a very rewarding time. Helping to curate the cartooning COVID collection has been eye opening experience on a personal level for me, as this is something which will be discussed in future History lessons but something we are also still trying to adapt to and learn to live with. The experience during this project has been enjoyable as well as challenging, from getting to know a little more about the artists behind the comics, to remembering Boris Johnson’s cabinet and the many reshuffles along the way including the many mixed messages, opinion and unprecedented challenges shared by those around him. Whilst doing this collection its has also pushed my own limits as modern-day politics is not within my normal comfort zone. The special collections and archives have a variety of different projects on going, so I will be looking forward to volunteering again in the new year.”

The project led to almost 400 cartoons being catalogued – search https://archive.cartoons.ac.uk now to find them!

The project will began in October 2023, see https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/specialcollections/2023/09/01/cartooning-covid-19-call-for-volunteer-participants/ for more information.

 

An intern’s experience: Jenni-Rose Nicholl

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We were lucky enough to work with student Jenni during her internship from March to April 2023, as part of her Classical & Archaeological Studies course at the University of Kent.

Jenni worked on a variety of collections during her time with us, including the Colin Seymour-Ure and Holt Bairnsfather collections in the British Cartoon Archive, the Papers of the Shirley Foundation collection in the UK Philanthropy Archive, and the Max Tyler Music Hall collection. She also assisted us with facilitating seminars and school visits. Jenni writes about her experience below.

Objects from the Holt Bairnsfather collection being sorted and packaged in our workroom.

An internship is designed in its nature to provide the intern with real-world experience in the relevant field of work they are completing their study in. Having recently completed my internship with the University of Kent’s archive team, it can safely be said that I have gained a tremendous amount of experience and hands-on professional context in which to take my degree further.

From my first day being shown around the archives by the incredibly knowledgeable Clair Waller, my mind was blown by the sheer amount of work and effort that our incredible archivists do every single day in order to keep the University archives, alongside the British Cartoon archive, up to date and relevant for today’s scholars and students alike. By far my personal favourite part of the internship was cleaning the books given to the archives team from individual’s personal collections [ed – the Colin Seymour-Ure collection], being carefully instructed as to the care and management of dirty and weak covers and how to prevent the books from deteriorating further.

A portrait of Professor-Colin-Seymour-Ure

Professor-Colin-Seymour-Ure

Whilst partaking in my internship I was regularly using a scanner and uploading photos in an organised manner onto the computer, something a self-confessed technophobe such as myself found greatly beneficial for future employment as well as daily life. A career in archaeology would not be such without numerous types of paperwork in which listing remains crucial.

A photograph of Dame Stephanie Shirley standing in front of a large promotional sign at the 2019 Linkedin Summit, Talent Connect On Tour.

Dame Stephanie Shirley at the February 2019 Linkedin Summit. Papers of the Shirley Foundation.

Through my internship I was instructed in the use of listing sheets and how to correctly fill them out directly benefiting my future prospects in the archaeological field. My internship has greatly grown my confidence in a professional environment and with the instruction of Clair Waller, Beth Astridge and Karen Brayshaw, I have gained invaluable experience and fond memories for my future career.

A photogrpah of Jenni's hand holding a book that has been laid between boards and wrapped with cotton tying tape.

An example of a book Jenni cleaned before applying a bit of collections care by wrapping the book between boards using cotton tying tape. This helps to preserve the book, providing support to otherwise fragile or damaged bindings.

 

 

 

Happy Birthday James Bond!

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Seventy years ago on 13th April 1953, Ian Fleming published his first James Bond novel – Casino Royale. To note this anniversary, at the beginning of April our fabulous intern Jenni Nicholl who is studying an MA in Curating, used our British Cartoon Archive collections to look at where the James Bond character has featured in our collections. We hope you enjoy this sample of cartoons from Jenni!

Bond, James Bond.

A line synonymous with the Bond franchise, James Bond represents to the world an idealised version of the British upper class through the representation of decorum, humour and seemingly, suave middle-aged men. Due to this, cartoons depicting Bond have been used widely in many circles such as politics and comedy in order to portray the seriousness or lack thereof of many matters concerning society through different time periods which is extremely well encapsulated in the British Cartoon Archive of The University Of Kent.

A brilliant use of the James Bond franchise within the political cartoons seen throughout the 1990s’ is Michael Cummings ‘fishbowl’ view of the fight between democracy and communism. This post-Cold War decade marked the end of the Soviet Union and so the battle of communism vs democracy was largely felt to be won by the side of the democrats with the individuals looking into the screen surmising that the hero always wins in the end of the Bond films, which however whilst actually looking at the screen, doesn’t appear to be true with Bond grasping for the democratic side under bombardment.

Cartoon in black and white showing a swimming pool with two people looking at the scene. In the pool a man (Mikhail Gorbachev) wearing swimming trunks labelled 007 has dived into the pool from a diving board labelled with a hammer and sickle (representing communism), and is swimming towards a ladder to get out of the pool. The ladder is labelled 'Democracy'. As he swims he is trying to avoid multiple attacks or obstacles including a crocodile with it's mouth open, a shark, a missile, a bullet coming out of a gun, an octopus, a bomb dropping from the sky, and a tiger prowling around the edge of the pool.

Michael Cummings, “What’s so nice about the James Bond films is that the hero always wins in the end”, Daily Express, 7th February 1990. British Cartoon Archive, Ref: CU1641. (Copyright: Express Syndication)

Whilst the cartoons may be used for political satire, the Bond Franchise was also used in the comedic arena in order to portray very normal aspects of daily life. Within this cartoon James Bond can be seen delivering his infamous line to his Facebook audience revealing his entire name, despite the nature of his job, with his supervisor urging caution. This may also give reference to the fact that despite building their foundations as the secret backbone of the safety of Britain and the monarchy, the MI6 building is one of the best known and most visited throughout London.

Colour cartoon showing a man in a blue suit at a computer terminal with the text showing on the screen "The name's Bond...James Bond". Another man in a green suit stands behind the first man and says "You want to be careful what you put on Facebook 007".

Tim Sanders, “You want to be careful what you put on Facebook 007”. The Independent, 11 June 2013. British Cartoon Archive, Ref: 99154 (Copyright: Tim Sanders).

Satire mixed with solemnity gives rise to a brilliant cartoon by Dave Brown depicting the MI6 disaster of the 14th of May 1999 in which a former officer leaked hundreds of names of agents some of whom were on active duty abroad and whose lives were put in serious danger. The cartoon highlights the nonchalant nature of the internet and the ease at which such an integral aspect of society can be broken and represents the fragility of the British security system.

Black and white cartoon showing Bond villain 'Blofeld' with his cat sitting on a armchair - viewed between the legs of James Bond standing as if immediately infront of the viewer and framing the cartoon - holding a gun down alongside his right leg. Blofeld is saying 'Resistance is futile Mr Bond... I have a web site and I'm not afraid to use it!'. Blofeld is using a computer mouse in one hand and stroking his cat with the other.

Dave Brown, “Resistance is futile Mr Bond…”, The Independent, 14 May 1999. British Cartoon Archive, Ref: DB0197A. (Copyright: Dave Brown).

Though the situation may prove to be humorous, Theresa May would have to disagree as Mr. Avila, who was due to be deported back to his country of birth, was allowed to stay in England as he cared for a cat. This hilarious situation caused such a political uproar that it was used as a point in order to stop the abuse of Labour’s Human Rights Act which were occurring during 2011.

Colour cartoon showing James Bond pointing a gun at Blofeld, sitting on a chair holding his cat, with two women standing behind him. The caption reads: You'll never get rid of me Mr Bond! They'll never deport me while I have a cat to care for'.

Michael Heath, “You’ll never get rid of me Mr Bond! They’ll never deport me while I have a cat to care for’.” Mail on Sunday, 9 October 2011. British Cartoon Archive, Ref: 95323. (Copyright: Associated Newspapers Ltd/Solo Syndication)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curated and written by Jenni Nicholl, April 2023. 

 

The 50/50 Project: Celebrating 50 Years of the British Cartoon Archive

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Help us to select 50 cartoons representing 50 years of the British Cartoon Archive!

We are looking for volunteers to participate in a project to explore and select 50 cartoons from across the British Cartoon Archive collections to feature in an exhibition in the Templeman Gallery. The project will take place on Mondays, 11am-4pm, throughout June 2023.  The exhibition will be on display from September to November 2023.

This is an opportunity to get hands-on with our cartoon collections and be involved with our celebration activities for the 50th anniversary of the British Cartoon Archive. Volunteers will receive a tour of the collections, training in searching our catalogues and writing captions, and an opportunity to gain experience in selecting material and curating an exhibition. Remote participation is also available.

Get in touch with us for more information or to volunteer to take part. We would love to hear from you: specialcollections@kent.ac.uk

And now – enjoy a selection of cartoons from the British Cartoon Archive marking other 50th anniversaries!

Black and white cartoon of a mug with a royal crest and a central depiction of Queen Elizabeth II jumping on a bouncy castle with a corgi with a label above reading Children's Tea Party

Cartoon marking the 50th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II – Patrick Blower, “50th Anniversary Mug”, Evening Standard, 2nd June 2013. (Reference: British Cartoon Archive, Cuttings, 65815)

Black and white cartoon of a residential street with park gates, with Grandma, Vera, George Junior, Stinker and the twins (members of the Giles Family) standing on the pavement. George Junior is chaining Grandma's foot to the railings while she looks the other way.

“Fifty Years Ago…”- Giles cartoon featuring Grandma and Vera from the Giles Family, showing George Junior and Stinker chaining Grandma to the park gates as a prank. A poster held by one of the children notes the 50th Anniversary of Votes for Women. Ronald Carl Giles, Daily Express, 6th February 1968. (Reference: GAN1736)

Black and white cartoon titled Happy 50th Birthday Ikea..., showing a man drinking a glass of Moet champagne at Ikea HQ and another man reading instructions for how to drink: 1. Hold glass firmly in hand, 2. Empty Contents into mouth, 3. Swallow...

“Happy 50th Birthday Ikea” – Cartoon marking the 50th Birthday of Ikea in 2006. Neil Kerber and David Black, Daily Mirror, 30th June 2006. (Reference: British Cartoon Archive, Cuttings, 87975)

Black and white cartoon showing a poster on a wall reading Dr Who 50th Anniversary and a Dalek on a stair lift

“Dr Who 50th Anniversary” – Cartoon marking the 50th Anniversary of Dr Who in 2013. Matt [Matthew Pritchard], Sunday Telegraph, 24th November 2013. (Reference: British Cartoon Archive, Cuttings, 99878)

Colour cartoon showing Queen Elizabeth II drinking a glass of champagne with a man, below a poster reading "Blue Peter 50th Birthday Party". The Queen says "Who invited the elephant" and is depicted standing in a pile of elephant dung, next to one of her Corgis.

“Who invited the elephant?” – Cartoon marking the 50th Birthday of Blue Peter in 2008, depicting Queen Elizabeth II. Nicholas Newman, Sunday Times, 19th October 2008. (Reference: British Cartoon Archive, Cuttings, 90501)