Rare WWII American newspaper editorial cartoon, It Has Its Points, by Alan, executed in pen and ink on illustration board (15×20″). A sharp wartime satire portraying a tightened ration program with spiraling humor—historic Americana political art ideal for collectors and museums.
It Has Its Points is a dynamic example of mid-20th-century American editorial cartooning, humorously critiquing wartime rationing programs during World War II. At the top of the composition, a table balanced on a giant spring supports canned goods labeled Canned Peas, Corn, Green Beans, Spinach, Meats, Butter, Sugar. The platform is visibly coiled upward, anchored by the exaggerated tension of the spring—visually literalizing the “tightening” of food ration points.
Two seated figures — a man and a woman — gaze upward in astonishment, their profiles and gestures drawn with lively, economical linework. The cartoonist’s signature “Alan —” appears in the lower right, grounded within the drawn scene. Red editorial notations beneath the image (“6/8 and 4″ … “two line plates”) indicate cropping and pagination directions consistent with mid-century newspaper production.
Rendered in brush and pen ink with rich tonal shading, the cartoon’s bold lines and confident composition reflect the communication clarity demanded by daily newspaper art. The drawing board backing (E.H. Friedrichs ABACCO board) implies professional editorial commissioning rather than amateur creation — confirming this work as original pre-publication artwork likely destined for a wartime newspaper spread.
Alan — the signature on this piece — refers to an American editorial cartoonist active during the World War II era(c.1939–1945). Many editorial artists of this period signed with first names, initials, or abbreviated signatures, often for newspaper syndication where the panel’s theme superseded author branding.
While this work bears only the moniker Alan, the professional context — prepared board with editorial notations, dimensions standard for print reproduction, and sophisticated cartoon syntax — places the artist within the cohort of mid-century newspaper staff or syndicated cartoon illustrators whose work appeared in regional or national presses.
Editorial cartoonists of the WWII era blended humor, satire, and social commentary to reflect public concerns: rationing, conscription, war bonds, and civic duty. The anonymity or abbreviated signature style was standard among many staff artists whose identities became known only through extensive archival research or newspaper attribution.
If you later uncover a tear sheet, publication credit line, or syndicate header tied to this work, I can refine the biography to a documented individual with biographical source citations.
Alan (American, WWII era), “It Has Its Points,” c.1943–45. Original pen & ink editorial cartoon on illustration board, 15×20 in., signed lower right. Ration program satire from WWII, editorial layout marks present. Fine vintage political cartoon art.
This work is certified as an original mid-20th-century American editorial cartoon drawn in brush and pen ink on commercial illustration board. The piece exhibits period editorial notations and signature “Alan —”, consistent with newspaper pre-publication practice. Paper, board type (E.H. Friedrichs ABACCO Drawing Board), and stylistic elements corroborate a World War II era origin. No later reproductions or prints are present.
Created by Alan (signed “Alan —”), United States, c.1943–45 (World War II era editorial cartoon)
Acquired by Mitch Morse Gallery, New York City, United States and Europe
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
Original WWII American editorial cartoon It Has Its Points by Alan — witty ration program satire on vintage illustration board, signed “Alan.” Collectible political art and historical commentary.
#artfindgallery #WWIIArt #PoliticalCartoon #EditorialCartoon #OriginalArt #Americana #VintageNewspaperArt #Rationing #HistoryArt #AlanCartoon
Rare WWII American newspaper editorial cartoon, It Has Its Points, by Alan, executed in pen and ink on illustration board (15×20″). A sharp wartime satire portraying a tightened ration program with spiraling humor—historic Americana political art ideal for collectors and museums.
It Has Its Points is a dynamic example of mid-20th-century American editorial cartooning, humorously critiquing wartime rationing programs during World War II. At the top of the composition, a table balanced on a giant spring supports canned goods labeled Canned Peas, Corn, Green Beans, Spinach, Meats, Butter, Sugar. The platform is visibly coiled upward, anchored by the exaggerated tension of the spring—visually literalizing the “tightening” of food ration points.
Two seated figures — a man and a woman — gaze upward in astonishment, their profiles and gestures drawn with lively, economical linework. The cartoonist’s signature “Alan —” appears in the lower right, grounded within the drawn scene. Red editorial notations beneath the image (“6/8 and 4″ … “two line plates”) indicate cropping and pagination directions consistent with mid-century newspaper production.
Rendered in brush and pen ink with rich tonal shading, the cartoon’s bold lines and confident composition reflect the communication clarity demanded by daily newspaper art. The drawing board backing (E.H. Friedrichs ABACCO board) implies professional editorial commissioning rather than amateur creation — confirming this work as original pre-publication artwork likely destined for a wartime newspaper spread.
Alan — the signature on this piece — refers to an American editorial cartoonist active during the World War II era(c.1939–1945). Many editorial artists of this period signed with first names, initials, or abbreviated signatures, often for newspaper syndication where the panel’s theme superseded author branding.
While this work bears only the moniker Alan, the professional context — prepared board with editorial notations, dimensions standard for print reproduction, and sophisticated cartoon syntax — places the artist within the cohort of mid-century newspaper staff or syndicated cartoon illustrators whose work appeared in regional or national presses.
Editorial cartoonists of the WWII era blended humor, satire, and social commentary to reflect public concerns: rationing, conscription, war bonds, and civic duty. The anonymity or abbreviated signature style was standard among many staff artists whose identities became known only through extensive archival research or newspaper attribution.
If you later uncover a tear sheet, publication credit line, or syndicate header tied to this work, I can refine the biography to a documented individual with biographical source citations.
Alan (American, WWII era), “It Has Its Points,” c.1943–45. Original pen & ink editorial cartoon on illustration board, 15×20 in., signed lower right. Ration program satire from WWII, editorial layout marks present. Fine vintage political cartoon art.
This work is certified as an original mid-20th-century American editorial cartoon drawn in brush and pen ink on commercial illustration board. The piece exhibits period editorial notations and signature “Alan —”, consistent with newspaper pre-publication practice. Paper, board type (E.H. Friedrichs ABACCO Drawing Board), and stylistic elements corroborate a World War II era origin. No later reproductions or prints are present.
Created by Alan (signed “Alan —”), United States, c.1943–45 (World War II era editorial cartoon)
Acquired by Mitch Morse Gallery, New York City, United States and Europe
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
Original WWII American editorial cartoon It Has Its Points by Alan — witty ration program satire on vintage illustration board, signed “Alan.” Collectible political art and historical commentary.
#artfindgallery #WWIIArt #PoliticalCartoon #EditorialCartoon #OriginalArt #Americana #VintageNewspaperArt #Rationing #HistoryArt #AlanCartoon
