Featured Posts

Zebra Publications
Atlas Publications
Mimosa Comics
Supercomix
Afri-Comics
Unlimited Comics
Americom

Thursday 5 January 2012

Monty Wilson

Monty Wilson was a South African cartoonist who produced work for Newspapers in Natal and London between the 1920s - 1940s.

The Adventures of Intambo and Mafuta were reprinted in two book volumes in 1941 - 1943. This comic strip had a single panel and accompanying text. It features the Botshongweni family who live in Natal. Paper shortages at the time limited the series to only 2 volumes. He was an accomplished artist, and these are examples of early South African original comic books.

Here are the covers of Book One and Two, with a sample page from each title:


Humorous Native Studies are reprints of some of his Newspaper strips. Two book volumes were printed in 1941-1943. Many of these strips were illustrations of reader anecdotes.  These can only be seen as a product of their time.

 Here are the covers of Book One and Two, with a sample page from each title:




Monty Wilson Calendar 1944 "Greetings for 1944" (published by Home Journal Press, Durban):

Monty Wilson Calendar 1945 "Greetings for 1945" (published by Home Journal Press, Durban):

Monty Wilson Calendar 1949 "Greetings for 1949" (published by Home Journal Press, Durban):
Monty Wilson Calendar 1950 "Greetings for 1950" (published by Home Journal Press, Durban):

A Visit to a Bantu Kraal (published by Newcastle Advertiser)- a 32 page Gift Book, suitable for posting as a postcard - written and illustrated by Monty Wilson.  Monty drew from his own experiences and observations of Zulu life in Natal, depicting and describing family life within a Zulu kraal.

6 comments:

  1. Lovely to find pictures of these historical publications. My Uncle was Walter Banting, who was a great friend of Montys' and wrote the forward in the some of his work. I have Walter's copies of Montys work including a calendar from 1950.
    As you say, a product of their time, but fascinating to see them online all the same.

    Regards
    Cris Haldenby
    Isle of Wight
    UK

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your message Cris - great to hear from you!
      I understand some of Monty's work was published in colour - but I have only seen his black and white art.
      If you are interested in writing something for the blog or providing images - It would be most welcome!
      Regards
      George

      Delete
  2. I have a 1948 Monty Wilson Calendar published by Rowell & Sons. Would you have any suggestions on the best venue to offer it for sale? Is there an interest for this kind of material in South Africa. (Could not find an Ebay, South Africa) Would Great Britain's ebay be a better place? The calendar is in very good condition, sent via air mail from Durban to the US back in 1947. Thank you in advance. Tom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tom
      Thanks for getting in touch, via my blog - I am more than happy to help - please get in touch via my e-mail at:
      g.vdr@virgin.net
      Regards
      George

      Delete
    2. Hi Tom
      Did you receive my reply?
      Regards
      George

      Delete
  3. I have 26 of his original sketches. One of them - the larger- in colour

    ReplyDelete