Artist: Emidio Angelo (1903–1990) Publication: The Philadelphia Inquirer Date: October 5, 1942 Medium: Pen and ink with editorial pencil notations on illustration board Dimensions: (standard Inquirer board size, est. 15" x 15" – confirm) Provenance: Published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 5, 1942, p. 23 Editorial cartoon column "Strictly Politics" by John M. Cummings Period "Published" stamp verso From private sale (2025) Cartoon Summary: The cartoon depicts Pennsylvania politics during the 1942 campaign season. Congressman Harry A. Colegrove, once aligned with Democratic candidate Judge John H. Ross, is shown literally "taking a walk"—walking away from Ross and siding with Republican General Edward Martin. The Democratic donkey looks alarmed, while Ross is left bewildered. This lampoons intraparty divisions at a critical wartime election moment, when loyalty was touted as essential but party fractures were prominent. Historical Context: Drawn in the lead-up to the November 1942 Pennsylvania gubernatorial race. Judge John H. Ross (Democrat) was struggling to unify support against Martin. Colegrove’s defection, symbolized here, highlighted the unraveling of Democratic cohesion amid WWII politics. Published in the midst of wartime editorials urging Americans to set aside partisanship to support Roosevelt and the war effort. Condition: Board shows surface wear, toning, and minor edge loss. Ink remains bold and legible; verso with scattered staining but retains period authenticity.
