Tenth Letter of the Alphabet: March 2024

Monday, March 25, 2024

Comics: Anahid Dinkjian, Artist

March is Women’s History Month

Anahid Dinkjian was born on September 2, 1918, in Fairlawn, New Jersey, according to the Connecticut Death Index at Ancestry.com.

In the 1920 United States Census, Dinkjian (line 53) was the youngest of four children born to John (line 47), a farm laborer, and Zohran, both Armenian immigrants. Dinkjian’s father’s brother was the head of the household. Also living with them was Dinkjian’s paternal grandmother. They lived in Caldwell, New Jersey on Two Bridges Road.

The 1930 census counted Dinkjian (line 84), her parents and siblings in West New York, New Jersey at 619 Washington Street.

Dinkjian was a student at Memorial High School in West New York and graduated in 1936. Her first name was spelled with two Ns. Apparently she had been accepted at Cooper Union’s art program but her name did not appear in any of its yearbooks. One of her schoolmates was Charles Mazoujian who would enroll at Pratt Institute.

The Humanist yearbook

Charles Mazoujian (top)

Dinkjian (bottom)

According to the 1940 census, Dinkjian (line 26) lived with her parents and a brother in West New York at 441 17th Street. Her occupation was artist.

Dinkjian has not yet been found in the 1950 census which was enumerated in April.

The New Jersey Marriage Index, at Ancestry.com, said Dinkjian married Jack Kalajian in September 1950 in Union City. Her husband, a year younger, also lived in West New York as recorded in the 1950 census. Perhaps they knew each other at school. He was an electrical engineer.

Dinkjian did mostly inking and some lettering on several Dell comic books in 1949, 1951 and 1952. The Grand Comics Database has a list. She was mentioned in Michael Barrier’s book, Funnybooks: The Improbable Glories of the Best American Comic Books (2015).

The 1953 New York, New York city directory listed a Jack Kalajian at 204 East 118th Street in Manhattan.

The Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series, Volume 11, Part 1, Number 2, Books and Pamphlets, July–December 1957 said Dinkjian, as Anahid Kalajian, was involved with the Captain Kangaroo coloring book by Whitman Publishing, number 1154. (In 1958 the coloring book, with the same number, was revised with a new cover, and interior art by Michael Sekowsky.)

The 75th anniversary program of the Holy Cross Armenian Church of Union City, New Jersey, devoted several pages to its donors which included Dinkjian and her husband.

Dinkjian’s husband passed away on August 24, 2008 in Greenwich, Connecticut. His address, on the death certificate, was 3203 Theall in Rye, New York.

Dinkjian passed away on December 26, 2012, in Greenwich. She had the same address.

Women in Comics Posts

Ruth Atkinson, Olive Bailey, Valerie Barclay, Vivian Berg, Helen Chu aka Duffy Mohler, Ellen Cole, Corinne Boyd Dillon, Anahid Dinkjian,

Barbara Clark Fogel, Evelyn Gaines aka Lynn Lovelace, Merna Gamble, Gerda Gattel, Selma Meyers Gleit, Jane Krom Grammer, Anita Greene,

Bonnie Hano, Ray Hermann, Joye Hummel, Marjorie Wilkes Huntley, Grace Jacquet, Charlotte Jetter,

Anna Kaufman, Bessie Mae Kelley, Nadine French King, Alice Kirkpatrick, Grace Kremer, Pauline Loth,

Veda Lufkin,

Marion McDermott, Emma C. McKean, Tarpé Mills, Claire S. Moe, Lily Reneé, Ruth Roche,

Georgette Sauterel, Marie Severin, Marcia Snyder, Lora Sprang aka Pat Gordon, Serena Summerfield, Daisy Swayze, Terry Szenics, Claire Szep,

Alberta Tews, Peggy Zangerle

(Next post on Monday: Peter Dom, Cartoonist, Letterer and Type Designer)

Monday, March 18, 2024

Comics: Olive Bailey, Artist

March is Women’s History Month.

Olive J. Bailey was born August 21, 1904, in Dayton, Ohio, according to her marriage certificate. Women in Comics said her middle name was Jeanette. She has not yet been found in the 1910 United States Census.

Bailey’s father signed his World War I draft card on September 12, 1918. His address was 119 Mack in Detroit, Michigan.

The 1920 census said Bailey, her parents Oliver and Jeannette, and four siblings (lines 95–100) lived in Detroit, Michigan at 181 Melbourne. Her father was a machine inspector at a tool company.

Bailey graduated high school in the early 1920s.

In the 1930 census, Bailey was not counted with her family who were Detroit residents at 1988 Grand Avenue.

At some point, Bailey moved to New York City where she and Arno H. Scheiding, who was born in London, England, obtained a Brooklyn marriage license on February 20, 1933. They married on September 14, 1933 in Manhattan. Bailey’s address on the certificate was the same as her parents’ in the 1930 census.

On January 8, 1934, Scheiding became naturalized citizen.

The New York Evening Post, August 6, 1935, published Archer Winsten’s column, “Wake of the News”. He visited some of the residents of Tudor City.

… Then the bell of Arno Scheiding at 337 buzzed the door and up we went to meet a young man of ready comprehension. He said, “Well, come in. I don’t know what I can tell you but. ...”

... His wife, who never went to art school in her life, is from Detroit. She does fashion work for department stores under her maiden name of Olive Bailey. She would like to illustrate children’s books. His ambition is to do more purely industrial design. Feels that’s an end in itself for an ambitious commercial artist. ...

(Other artists with Tudor City studios include Will Eisner, Gladys Parker, Milton Caniff, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.)

According to the 1940 census, Bailey (line 59) and her husband’s address was 264 Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. Also living with them was her mother-in-law. Bailey earned five hundred dollars in 1939. Bailey’s highest level of education was the fourth year of high school. However, More Heroes of the Comics (2016) said Bailey studied painting at the University of Detroit.

On October 16, 1940, Scheiding signed his World War II draft card. His address was unchanged. Scheiding’s veteran’s file, at Ancestry.com, said he served in the Navy from October 15, 1943 to December 15, 1945.

The Board of Elections in the City of New York, December 31, 1940, listed Bailey as a democrat: “Scheiding, Olive, 264 Lexington ave—D”.

Scheiding was listed in the 1942 and 1949 Manhattan directories at 151 East 38th Street.

In 1945, Bailey illustrated three books published by Whittlesey House: The Land of the Lost by Isabel Manning Hewson; Mary Jo and Little Liu by Arthur A. Ageton; and Shadow Castle by Marian Cockrell.

M.C. Gaines’ Educational Comics published nine issues of Land of the Lost Comics from 1946 to 1948. Most of the stories were written by Isabel Manning Hewson and drawn by Bailey. Their photographic portraits were published in the first issue.

Courtesy of Mike Lynch Cartoons

Film World, May 1948, said

Aesop’s Fables Filmstrips Near Release by Filmfax
New York—Filmfax Productions has in production series of six color filmstrips based on Aesop’s Fables.

Art work for series is being done by Olive Bailey, children’s illustrator. Series is scheduled for June 1 release.

In the 1950 census, Bailey, a commercial artist, and her husband, an industrial designer, resided in Norwalk, Connecticut at 2 St. James Place (lines 6 and 7).

Norwalk city directories from 1951 to 1958 listed the couple at Yarmouth Road on Bell Island. From 1960 to 1964 they were at St. James Place on Bell Island. Beginning in 1965, they were Darien, Connecticut residents at 143 Five Mile River Road.

Bailey’s father passed away on December 28, 1953. Her mother died on May 14, 1974. Fourteen months later was her husband’s death on July 20, 1975. His obituary was published in The Advocate (Stamford, Connecticut) and The New York Times on July 22, 1975.

Bailey passed away on September 14, 1994 in Florida. An obituary appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Her birthplace was incorrect.

September 17, 1994

November 23, 1994

Further Reading and Viewing

Women and the Comics (1985)

A Century of Women Cartoonists (1993)

Pretty in Ink: North American Women Cartoonists 1896–2010 (2013)

Jenny’s Wonderland of Books

Saved From The Paper Drive

Heritage Auctions, original art

Land of the Lost Comics #4, “The Undersea Pirates” and “The Forgettery”

Land of the Lost Comics #5, c over, “The Den of the Devil Fish” and “The Fish School and Jewel Robbery”

Land of the Lost Comics #6, cover, “Red Lantern Has Finfluenza” and “Red Lantern and the Ruby Cordia”

Land of the Lost Comics #8, cover and “The Apothecary Shop”

Land of the Lost Comics #10 (unpublished), “The Kitchenville Police” and “The Crocodile’s Den”

Women in Comics Posts

Ruth Atkinson, Olive Bailey, Valerie Barclay, Vivian Berg, Helen Chu aka Duffy Mohler, Ellen Cole, Corinne Boyd Dillon, Anahid Dinkjian,

Barbara Clark Fogel, Evelyn Gaines aka Lynn Lovelace, Merna Gamble, Gerda Gattel, Selma Meyers Gleit, Jane Krom Grammer, Anita Greene,

Bonnie Hano, Ray Hermann, Joye Hummel, Marjorie Wilkes Huntley, Grace Jacquet, Charlotte Jetter,

Anna Kaufman, Bessie Mae Kelley, Nadine French King, Alice Kirkpatrick, Grace Kremer, Pauline Loth,

Veda Lufkin,

Marion McDermott, Emma C. McKean, Tarpé Mills, Claire S. Moe, Lily Reneé, Ruth Roche,

Georgette Sauterel, Marie Severin, Marcia Snyder, Lora Sprang aka Pat Gordon, Serena Summerfield, Daisy Swayze, Terry Szenics, Claire Szep,

Alberta Tews, Peggy Zangerle

(Next post on Monday: Anahid Dinkjian, Artist)

Monday, March 11, 2024

Comics: Peggy Zangerle, Artist

March is Women’s History Month.

Margaret Mary “Peggy” Zangerle was born on July 22, 1925, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to her Social Security application at Ancestry.com.

The 1930 United States Census counted Zangerle (line 2) as the only child of Edward, a German immigrant, and Mary, a Pennsylvania native. Their home was in Philadelphia at 1319 North Eleventh Street. Her father owned a bakery.

Zangerle has not yet been found in the 1940 census.

In 1943 Zangerle graduated from the John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School in Philadelphia. Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Zangerle and Irene Tolosky painted a portrait of Our Lady of Hallahan which was restored by Hallahan’s Alumnae Association.

Silver Sands yearbook

On June 5, 1944, Zangerle’s father signed his World War II draft card. His address was 1447 North 5th Street in Philadelphia.

Alter Ego #28, September 2003, said Zangerle met Joe Maneely and George Ward and they formed an art studio in Philadelphia. A Century of Women Cartoonists (1993) said “Peggy Zangerle, who drew Doc Savage and Red Dragon in 1948.”

On March 23, 1950, Zangerle was aboard the steamship Queen Mary when it departed New York bound for Cherbourg, France. The passenger list said her address was 1447 North 5th Street in Philadelphia and planned to stay for three months.

The 1950 census, enumerated in April, counted Zangerle (line 24) in her parents’ household at the same address. The column for occupation was blank.

Zangerle departed Le Havre, France on August 17, 1950. The steamship Liberte arrived in the port of New York on August 23.

In 1953, Zangerle returned to her high school alma mater and spoke to art students.

Silver Sands yearbook

Zangerle visited France again in 1956. She returned aboard the Queen Mary on May 15, 1956.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 12, 1956, reported the upcoming Holiday Fair, by the Woman’s Auxiliary of Trinity Church in Swarthmore, on Wednesday and Thursday, November 14 and 15.

Lecture on Decorations
... Another outstanding feature of the event will be the appearance of Peggy Zangerle, pastel and charcoal artist, who will do portraits on order both days. ... [pastel portrait here]

The Reading Eagle said Zangerle made children’s portraits at the 1958 and 1959 Reading Hospital Lawn Fetes.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 15, 1959, announced the plans for the 65th anniversary of the Delaware County Daughters of the American Revolution and noted

... For the fifth consecutive year Miss Peggy Zangerle will be on hand with her pastel and charcoal sketches.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 156th Annual Report 1961 said Zangerle received an honorable mention at the Student Exhibition for Annual Awards and Scholarships, May 17 through June 3.

Zangerle’s father passed away on July 27, 1963 in Philadelphia.

According to the New Jersey Marriage Index, at Ancestry.com, Zangerle and Daniel E. Quill married in August 1967 in Ventnor, New Jersey.

Zangerle’s mother passed away on May 24, 1968 in Philadelphia.

Zangerle’s husband passed away on December 8, 1988. Find a Grave has a photograph of them.

The University of Pennsylvania produced a 2022 list of deceased students of the Class of 1970.

Name: Mrs. Margaret Z. Quill; Affiliation string: FA70; Birth name: Zangerle, Margaret M.

Zangerle passed away on June 8, 1997, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, according to the New Jersey Death Index at Ancestry.com.

Women in Comics Posts

Ruth Atkinson, Olive Bailey, Valerie Barclay, Vivian Berg, Helen Chu aka Duffy Mohler, Ellen Cole, Corinne Boyd Dillon, Anahid Dinkjian,

Barbara Clark Fogel, Evelyn Gaines aka Lynn Lovelace, Merna Gamble, Gerda Gattel, Selma Meyers Gleit, Jane Krom Grammer, Anita Greene,

Bonnie Hano, Ray Hermann, Joye Hummel, Marjorie Wilkes Huntley, Grace Jacquet, Charlotte Jetter,

Anna Kaufman, Bessie Mae Kelley, Nadine French King, Alice Kirkpatrick, Grace Kremer, Pauline Loth,

Veda Lufkin,

Marion McDermott, Emma C. McKean, Tarpé Mills, Claire S. Moe, Lily Reneé, Ruth Roche,

Georgette Sauterel, Marie Severin, Marcia Snyder, Lora Sprang aka Pat Gordon, Serena Summerfield, Daisy Swayze, Terry Szenics, Claire Szep,

Alberta Tews, Peggy Zangerle

(Next post on Monday: Olive Bailey, Artist)

Monday, March 4, 2024

Comics: Alice Kirkpatrick, Artist

March is Women’s History Month.

Alice Margaret Kirkpatrick was born on September 27, 1912, in Huntsville, Alabama. Her full name was published in a 1930 school yearbook. The birth date is from the Social Security Death Index. Her birthplace was recorded on passenger lists.

The 1920 United States Census said Kirkpatrick was the only child of John and Helen. They were Huntsville residents at 506 Randolf Street. Her father was a bookkeeper at a general store.

Kirkpatrick attended the Wills-Taylor School. Below are her fourth and fifth grade class photographs from The Wist yearbooks for 1922 and 1923.

The 1927 Huntsville city directory listed the Kirkpatrick family at 505 East Eustis Street. In 1929 they were at 456 East Eustis Street.

World Week, Scholastic Teacher Edition, October 27, 1954, published a profile of Kirkpatrick. It was reprinted in Senior Scholastic, February 9, 1955. Kirkpatrick majored in music and art at Huntsville High. At age 16, she “won a scholarship to take the two-year home-study art course of Art Instruction, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.”

The Kirkpatricks were at the same address in the 1930 census.

Kirkpatrick continued her education at the Ward-Belmont School in Nashville, Tennessee. Kirkpatrick’s nickname was “Kirk” as noted, below, in the Ward-Belmont Hyphen, May 10, 1930. Years later, she signed “Kirk” on some of her work.

—And speaking of batting as I believe we were, have you ever noticed Alice Kirkpatrick? You know “Kirk’s” appendages are rather lengthy and when she gets them placed to her liking ye poor pitcher is troubled as to what he is facing. Dear, dear, and we can’t even scratch our own back.—

The 1931 Milestones yearbook said she was a certificate art student and a member of the F.F. Club.

Hollywood Magazine, August 1936, reported the winners of the Pickford-Lasky trademark contest. Kirkpatrick won the magazine’s own contest.

The contest winners were also announced in Motion Picture, August 1936.

World Week said Kirkpatrick, in 1937, “moved to New York City and got a job designing wallpaper and fabrics. She also studied illustration at the Phoenix Art Institute at night. Shortly afterwards she became a free-lance commercial artist with her own business and own customers.” Field Guide to Wild American Pulp Artists said she also found work in pulp magazines.

According to the 1940 census, Kirkpatrick shared an apartment with Jacquline Franc at 40 West 53rd Street in Manhattan.

The Grand Comics Database said her comics career ran from 1948 to 1956.

In the 1950 census, Kirkpatrick was at the same address. Her occupation was commercial art drawing ads in the advertising industry.

A July 14, 1951 passenger list said Kirkpatrick and her roommate, Muriel Birckhead, were passengers aboard the steamship Queen Mary bound for Cherbourg, France. On August 29, 1951, they returned on the steamship Mauretania from Southampton, England to New York.

During 1959, Kirkpatrick designed and illustrated several book jackets and magazine covers in including Fifty Years with Music, Moura, Music Journal, April-May 1959 and June-July 1959.

The 1986 novel, Rising Thunder, had this dedication: