Charles Bissell Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS.0043

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains over 2800 original cartoons by Charles Bissell, longtime art director and cartoonist for The Tennessean. The collection spans from the 1940s to the 1970s. The cartoons are roughly sorted by date and are stored in 29 flat boxes.

Dates

1940s-1970s

Conditions Governing Access

This collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Special Collections in the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. Collections should be requested 2-3 days prior to visiting in order to facilitate easier access. For questions or to request a collection, contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu.

Biographical Note - Charles Bissell

Charles Bissell was born in 1908. He began his art career as a freelance lithographic and commercial artist at the age of 16. He joined the staff of The Tennessean as a political cartoonist in 1943 and, two years later, became the art director of The Tennessean’s Sunday Magazine. In 1962, he created his own cartoon feature, “Bissell’s Brave New World,” which ran until 1976. During the course of his career, he received the prestigious Cartoon Award from the National Headliners Club, a Distinguished Service Award from Sigma Delta Chi, and the Public Service Award from the National Safety Council. He retired from The Tennessean in 1996. He died in November 2000.

Extent

60.66 Linear Feet (1 Hollinger box; 29 flat boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains over 2800 original cartoons by Charles Bissell, longtime art director and cartoonist for The Tennessean. The collection spans from the 1940s to the 1970s.