The Best Cartoons From Punch: Collected for Americans from England's Famous Humorous Weekly

by Marvin Rosenberg (Editor), William Cole (Editor), A.P. Herbert (Foreword)

"...If a theatrical manager wants to do a play about the '60s or '70s the first thing he does is to look up the old Punch volumes. There he sees exactly how our fathers spoke, and dressed, and looked. If the Cochran, or the Ziegfeld, of 2000 A.D. wants to do a play about 1952 A.D. I do not think he will get much help from the most popular comic artists of today. He will probably decide that the less said about his subhuman ancestors the better. But the main purpose of a comic artist, without doubt, is to be comic; and "If I do that," he may well say, "what are you complaining about?" Hastily, I agree, I accept, I withdraw. It was only an old chap maundering to himself. I salute this work and wish it well; and on behalf of Punch and his merry men may I proclaim their thanks for the compliment that America has paid them in supposing that Britain can be funny too." (from foreword by A. P. Herbert)

Genres: Humor, Cartoon

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1952

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a kid, I quickly discovered that I loved comics - not just superhero comics and Archie, etc - comic books - but the whole array, including Sunday funnies and the like. One of my early discoveries was a collection *like* this (not this one exactly) on a shelf at a relative's home - and so I included single panel cartoons into my arena of enjoyment. That early book was also notorious in my mind because it contained slight nudity (the Brits being less neurotic about such things) - nothing lewd, just boobs and the implication of nipples, but still...

This is, as one might expect, a fabulous collection of cartoons from the famous British humor publication. Not all are "single panel" cartoons (in the famous NEW YORKER style that we're used to) but the majority are. Beyond that, there's little to say because.... y'know...it's gags in comic form. Those who enjoy such things will marvel at the varied skills of the cartoonists, most working in a "simple" style - for body language, scene setting, and punchline writing. Then there's the slightly more ornate style of cartoonists like "Emett", "Sprod" and the like. Everything here will raise a chuckle - no nudes, btw - and would be a good gift for a kid, because not ALL the punchlines are obvious and require some thought.

[Ken K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of PUNCH cartoons for Americans. It was included in a Readers Digest Condensed book about 70 years ago. I read it as a boy and many of the cartoons still stuck with me. I was pleased to find the original hard-cover book in a local university library. The humor is subtle, not raunchy, and it shows the old-style British way of life. This was printed the year that Queen Elizabeth II was coronated, so it reflects a time gone by. Not all was peaceful, and people had quirks, but they managed to get along. I compare it to old British sitcoms, a nostalgic romp through life as it was.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many funny cartoons, but only a few that made me laugh out loud. A few I just didn't get.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have the hardcover 1952 edition. Read through the fifties. Will thumb through occasionally. May have influenced my love of British humour.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

These brilliant and tongue 'n' cheeky cartoons are worth hunting down in your library. Being somewhat of a crazed Victorian lover- these are essential.