American Comic All-My-Nacks

“Few materials are more important for a view of American humor than those provided by the comic almanacs during the period from 1830, when they began to appear, to 1860, when they had grown less local and flavorsome. These fascinating small handbooks yield many brief stories and bits of character drawing not to be found elsewhere; more than any single source they prove the wide diffusion of a native comic lore.” -Constance Rourke, American Humor: A Study of the National Character (Firestone PS430 .R6 1931)

Graphic Arts has a large and until now, uncatalogued collection of American comic almanacs from Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore. Here are a few samples, primarily from the 1830s.

American Comic Almanac (Boston: Charles Ellms). Graphic Arts GAX 2012- in process
Elton’s Comic All-My-Nack (New-York: Elton and Harrision). Graphic Arts GAX 2012- in process
National Comic Almanac (Boston: Association of Gentlemen). Graphic Arts GAX 2012- in process
Rip Snorter Comic Almanac (New York: Philip P. Cozans). Graphic Arts GAX 2012- in process
Sam Slick Comic All-My-Nack (New-York: Philip P. Cozans). Graphic Arts GAX 2012- in process
Turner’s Comic Almanak (Philadelphia: Turner and Fisher). Graphic Arts GAX 2012- in process
United States Comic Almanac (Philadelphia: King and Baird). Graphic Arts GAX 2012- in process