1945.08.16 “Yippee!”
by Ralph Lee (1906-1947)
14.7 x 23.3 in., ink on board
Coppola Collection
Ralph Lee was an editorial cartoonist for the Portland Oregonian. He died suddenly, at 41, in January 1947. His cousin, Art Bimrose, was the editorial cartoonist for the Oregonian for more than three decades. In 1937, the Oregonian hired him part-time to work on printing plates. Following Lee’s death, Bimrose was hired as the Sunday editorial cartoonist.
Gasoline rationing had been one of the longest-running, most personally felt, and most irritating wartime restrictions for Americans. By August 16, people weren’t debating victory anymore; they were asking: what can I stop worrying about today? Gasoline was high on that list.
Japan announced acceptance of surrender terms on August 15. It is the first full day of “this is really over.” The cartoon captures that exhale.
