In these pen and ink drawings, the fluidity and deftness of stoke with which Dick produced is apparent. The details, tie pins, bandages, pipes, hats, clothing styles of the day are wonderfully emphasized.
As a young cartoonist Dick was honing his talent for subtle visual humor and developing the "quick story telling" so important in successful cartooning. These traits would later manifest in his more mature works as a painter.
Most of the drawings I discovered are done on materials at hand such as construction paper, school rule, and typing paper. There were several done on his father stationary, with the letter head that read, Oscar W. Burg & Co., Manufacturer’s Agent, Leather Trades Building, 1602 Locust Street, St. Louis. Phone: MAIN 825.
1923
I will never begrudge him for being a pack-rat. If he were not so disciplined, organized, and obsessive in keeping such objects, we would not now be enjoying them.
1923
There is always the tough gristle of reason to regret as I thumb through these myriad memories. Missed opportunities to speak with my father about just as many topics that jump up and stare back at me as I up load picture after picture on the computer. His imagination and determination at 13 years old. The creation of cornball jokers, magicians, seedy nefarious swindlers, hayseeds, brawlers, and all around down and outers is amazing.
These pen and ink drawings come from archive material from the estate of Dick Burg and have been restored digitally to give a better appreciation of the high caliber technics Dick possessed at an early age and also give some perspective in regards to his later work.
1923
I love these
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