1939.10.23 "War of Nerves" by Francis W. Dahl

1939.10.23 “War of Nerves”
by Francis W. Dahl (1907-1973)
12 x 17 in., ink on board
Coppola Collection

From 1928, when he began his newspaper career as a $20‐a‐week illustrator, until last June 1972, Dahl drew his cartoons for The Boston Herald and its successor, The Herald Traveler. And when the paper was purchased by The Record‐American, he joined The Boston Globe.

Some insight into Dahl’s relative obscurity can be found in his NYT obituary: Because he concocts his cartoons out of local news items, and refuses to change his ways, mild-mannered Francis Dahl has never been syndicated. But for his collections of reprints, he would be unknown outside New England.

Dahl used the 6-panel format seen here. He scoured the newspapers for contemporary items from which to construct his illustrations, and he notes here a News Item as an inspiration for this one. Following the invasion of Poland and the start of WW2 on September 1, Hitler made many thinly veiled threats of aggression while publicly preaching his peaceful intent. The allegory here is cleverly represented.