Ted Rall Papers, 1979-1998

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Summary

Creators:
Rall, Ted.
Abstract:
This collection consists of original cartoons, book proposals, and manuscripts of American cartoonist, columnist, and author Ted Rall (born 1963), dating from 1979 to 1998 (the drawings/cartoons date from 1979 to 1996). The correspondence deals with Rall's personal and business matters, including letters to and from his fans.
Extent:
1,382 pieces + ephemera in 65 boxes
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of original cartoons, book proposals, and manuscripts of cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall, dating from 1979 to 1998. The correspondence deals with Rall's personal and business matters, including letters to and from his fans.

The collection is arranged in three groups (Papers I-III) based on date of acquisition. The Rall Papers II spans the period of Ted Rall’s first syndication, from 1991-1996, when his cartoon was carried by Chronicle Features Syndicate

The papers consist of the following series:

Part I

1. Original cartoons (Boxes 1-12), arranged chronologically. Each drawing is in its own folder, except for Rall’s high school drawings, which are grouped by year.

2. Book Proposals (Boxes 13-16), arranged chronologically. Also included is correspondence and material relating to Rall’s cartoon book, Waking Up In America.

3. Manuscripts (Box 17), consisting primarily of Rall’s school papers, arranged chronologically.

4. Correspondence (Box 18), arranged chronologically. The letters deal primarily with Rall’s business and personal matters, including letters to and from his fans.

5. Business File (Box 19). This file deals with Rall’s business association with Arnold Schwartzman, and the subsequent lawsuit brought by Rall and others against Schwartzman. Correspondence is filed alphabetically, followed by various business documents, as well as newspaper and magazine articles and miscellaneous items.

6. Ephemera (Boxes 20-29), mostly published cartoons, arranged alphabetically, boxed in two sub-series (regular size in upright, gray boxes and oversize in flat, tan boxes).

Part II

7. Rall Papers II drawings (Box 1), arranged chronologically. Also included with his original drawings is Rall’s student sketchbook from Columbia University.

8. Rall Papers II book proposals (Box 2), arranged chronologically.

9. Rall Papers II correspondence (Box 3), arranged alphabetically by author and addressee. This series also includes original drawings as well as published cartoons by Ted Rall.

10. Rall Papers II ephemera (Box 4-11), mostly published cartoons, arranged alphabetically. This series also contains articles about Ted Rall, book signings, documents, and an interview with Ted Rall.

11. Rall Papers II oversize correspondence (Box 12).

Part III

12. Rall Papers III drawings (Boxes 1-24), arranged chronologically.

Biographical / historical:

Ted Rall (born 1963) is a syndicated editorial cartoonist, columnist, and author. His cartoons are distributed domestically and appear in daily newspapers across the United States. Although best known for his cartoons portraying Generation X-ers, Rall also draws cartoons relating to politics, current events, the working world, and dating. He is the author of several books, including Waking Up In America, a collection of cartoons, and Revenge of the Latchkey Kids, a collection of cartoons and essays.

In 1996, after his contract with Chronicle Features Syndicate expired, Ted Rall negotiated to have “Rall” picked up by Universal Press Syndicate.

Acquisition information:
Gifts of Ted Rall, October 1995 (Part I, RL 1-493), November 2000 (Part II, RL 494-562), and November 2001 (Part III, RL 563-1382).
Arrangement:

Organized in three parts.

Part I
  • Cartoons (Pt I. Boxes 1-12)
  • Book proposals (Pt I. Boxes 13-16)
  • Manuscripts (Pt I. Box 17)
  • Correspondence (Pt I. Box 18)
  • Business file (Pt I. Box 19)
  • Ephemera (Pt I. Boxes 20-29)

Part II
  • Drawings (Pt II. Box 1)
  • Book proposals (Pt II. Box 2)
  • Correspondence (Pt II. Box 3)
  • Ephemera (Pt II. Boxes 4-11)
  • Oversize correspondence (Pt II. Box 12)

Part III
  • Drawings (Pt III. Boxes 1-24)

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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