Bernhardt (Glenn R.) Collection, 1964-1990

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Summary

Title:
Glenn R. Bernhardt Collection
Dates:
1964-1990
Creators:
Bernhardt, Glenn R. Barnes, Robert L. Wright, Larry
Abstract:
The collection consists of drawings of comic strips created by Bob Barnes, Glenn R. Bernhardt, and Larry Wright.
Extent:
1 archival box (collected papers)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Glenn R. Bernhardt Collection, Henry Meade Williams Local History Room, Harrison Memorial Library, Carmel, CA

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of drawings of comic strips created by Bob Barnes, Glenn R. Bernhardt, and Larry Wright. Created by Bob Barnes in 1956, “The Better Half” is a comic strip featuring the characters Harriet and Stanley Parker. The strip was syndicated and appeared daily in the Monterey Bay Herald, as well as over 200 other newspapers. In 1958, it was awarded the Best Cartoon Panel from the National Cartoonists Society. Glenn R. Bernhardt’s cartoons appeared in the magazine “Monterey Life”, as well as such publications as the “Saturday Evening Post”, “The Wall Street Journal”, and “Better Homes.” “Kit ‘n’ Carlyle” was created by Larry Wright and has been in worldwide syndication since 1980. Carlyle, the cat in “Kit ‘n’ Carlyle”, was originally modeled after Motley, Wright’s daughter’s cat, who was a character in “Wright Angles”, Wright’s first syndicated comic strip. “Cartoonists Profiles” is a quarterly journal of the comic arts professional. As of 2004, it has been in publication for 32 years. The journal chronicles the success stories of currently syndicated cartoonists in their own words. The publication is edited and published by Jud Hurd, a syndicated comic artist.

Biographical / historical:

Robert L. “Bob” Barnes was born on March 8, 1913 in Portland, Oregon. He sold his first cartoon at the age of twelve. Barnes worked a variety of jobs over the years, including selling sewing machines and doing public relations work for California Shipbuilding during World War II. In 1947, he got his big break with his first cartoon sale to the Saturday Evening Post. He was contracted with the magazine for fifteen years. Barnes went on to create “The Better Half” in 1956, which he drew for the Register and the Tribune Syndicate. “The Better Half” is a comic strip featuring the characters Harriet and Stanley Parker. Bob Barnes created this comic strip in 1956 and it was syndicated and appeared daily in the Monterey Bay Herald, as well as over 200 other newspapers. In 1958, it was awarded the Best Cartoon Panel from the National Cartoonists Society. In 1960 he and his wife, Ruth, moved to Carmel Valley. Barnes died on November 12, 1970 at his home in Laguna Seca Ranch Estates. His wife continued drawing “The Better Half.” Glenn R. Bernhardt was born in St. Paul Minnesota. He studied art at the Minneapolis Art Institute and later at the San Francisco Institute of Advertising Art. On his first try, the Saturday Evening Post bought two of his cartoons and his career as a comic artist was born. He also published in such works as “Better Homes,” “Monterey Life,” and the Wall Street Journal. He has two books: Cartoons/Bernhardt and How to Put Fun in Your Sex Life. Bernhardt lives with his wife Mary Lou in Carmel. Larry Wright has been drawing cartoons since the age of ten, when he drew comic books for his friends in Detroit, Michigan. Wright studied Chinese and in the army was sent to Okinawa as an interpreter. In Japan, he drew the comic strip “Uncle Milton” for the Okinawa Morning Star. After returning to the Detroit area, Wright worked for eleven years for the Detroit Press and then moved to the Detroit News. Wright began his first syndicated comic, “Wright Angels,” in 1977. “Kit’n’Carlyle” has been in worldwide syndication since 1980. Carlyle, the cat in “Kit’n’Carlyle,” was originally modeled after Motley Wright’s daughters cat who was a character in “Wright’s Angels.” Wright is past president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Robert L. “Bob” Barnes (1913-1970) was born on March 8, 1913 in Portland, Oregon. He sold his first cartoon at the age of 12. Barnes worked a variety of jobs over the years, including selling sewing machines and doing public relations work for California Shipbuilding during World War II. In 1947, he got his big break with his first cartoon sale to the Saturday Evening Post. He was contracted with the magazine for 15 years. Barnes went on to create “The Better Half” in 1956, which he drew for the Register and Tribune Syndicate. In 1960 he and his wife, Ruth, moved to Carmel Valley. Barnes died on November 12, 1970 at his home in Laguna Seca Ranch Estates. His wife continued drawing “The Better Half.” Glenn R. Bernhardt was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He studied art at the Minneapolis Art Institute and later at the San Francisco Institute of Advertising Art. On his first try, the Saturday Evening Post bought two of his cartoons and his career as a comic artist was born. He was also published in such works as “Better Home,” “Monterey Life,” and the “Wall Street Journal.” He has two books: Cartoons/Bernhardt and How to Put Fun in Your Sex Life. Bernhardt lives with his wife, Mary Lou, in Carmel. Larry Wright has been drawing cartoons since the age of 10, when he drew comic books for his friends in Detroit, Michigan. Wright studied Chinese and in the army was sent to Okinawa as an interpreter. While in Japan, he drew the comic strip “Uncle Milton” for the Okinawa Morning Star. After returning to the Detroit area, Wright worked for 11 years for the Detroit Press and then moved to the Detroit News. Wright began his first syndicated comic “Wright Angels” in 1977. Wright is past president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Glenn R. Bernhardt and Mary Lou Bernhardt.
Processing information:

Inventoried 3/16/2020.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Harrison Memorial Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1964-1990
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Materials are open for research.

Terms of access:

The Henry Meade Local History Room, Harrison Memorial Library does not hold copyright to these items. Permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder by the user.

Preferred citation:

Glenn R. Bernhardt Collection, Henry Meade Williams Local History Room, Harrison Memorial Library, Carmel, CA

Location of this collection:
P.O. Box 800
Mission St & 6th Ave
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921, US
Contact:
(831) 624-1615
hml.localhist@gmail.com
Website