Inside this book are short biographical sketches about the many artists represented in the Library of Congress' Swann Collection compiled by Erwin Swann (1906-1973). In the early 1960s, Swann, a New York advertising executive started collecting original cartoon drawings of artistic and humorous interest. Included in the collection are political prints and drawings, satires, caricatures, cartoon strips and panels, and periodical illustrations by more than 500 artists, most of whom are American. The 2,085 items range from 1780-1977, with the bulk falling between 1890-1970. The Collection includes 1,922 drawings, 124 prints, 14 paintings, 13 animation cels, 9 collages, 1 album, 1 photographic print, and 1 scrapbook.

Includes Part 1, Number 1 & 2: Books and Pamphlets, Including Serials and Contributions to Periodicals (January - December)

Provides lessons on the art of cartooning along with information on terminology, tools, techniques, and theory.

Darwin figured it out 150 years ago. The Theory of Natural Selection. Survival of the fittest. Remember that from junior high biology? The strongest, smartest, fastest, most attractive members of an animal species succeed in winning mates, thus assuring the survival-and gradual evolution-of their breed. Think about it. . .and then feel good about yourself. After all, you've survived. You spring from a long line of winners. Well done! But what comes of the less fit. . .those that nature does not select? You know. . . the slow-witted and weak, the dim and the just plain dorky. Well, but for the work of one man, we likely would never know. Luckily, Gary Larson has chronicled the mishaps, maladies, and miserable failures of these less-than-alpha males and females in The Far Side. By paying special attention to the peculiar mating rituals practiced by The Far Side's subjects (dogs, cows, clowns, apes, nerds, etc.), Larson has over the years developed what amounts to the definitive treatise on inept courtship behavior. Call it Larson's own Theory of Natural Rejection. Each week, this little gem of a calendar presents a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse at nature's chronic romantic underachievers. It's like that show Blind Date except starring insects, aliens, farm animals, and cavemen. Read these cartoons. Laugh if you must. But above all, learn. Learn from their mistakes. Because like it or not, the continued viability of the species depends on you. We thank you, and Charles Darwin thanks you. The Far Side. is a registered trademark of FarWorks, Inc.