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TIPS ON TRAIN TRAVEL
The American Railroads, illustrated by Gluyas Williams
(ca. 1943, reprinted 2004)
($2.00 from David King,
www.sweaterthieves.com. Available soon in the
Poopsheet Shop)
Review by Mark Campos
If anybody remembers Gluyas Williams, it's as the illustrator of Robert Benchley's books; but during the '30s and '40s Williams' clear-line style was familiar to millions of Americans who laughed at his cartoons in
The New Yorker and the old
Life magazine, or read his syndicated comic strip, or saw his advertising art. His strength was depicting average-looking people in awkward and embarrassing situations – who better to illustrate Benchley? – and who better to illustrate this little chapbook, designed to give WWII-era servicemen information about riding on trains. Though the era of train travel is sadly past, the text still carries the ring of good advice: "Always get your information from qualified persons – not from outside sources such as cafes, barber shops, news stands, taxi drivers, etc. They are well-intentioned, but may not be well-posted." And there are 11 rarely seen illustrations by Williams, each a brilliant cartoon that could stand by itself.
Kudos to David King for finding and reprinting this gem.
[ Link to this review ]
