Who was Billy Ireland?
Billy Ireland was born on January 8, 1880 in Chillicothe, Ohio. He began working for the Columbus Dispatch in 1898 and began a regular weekly full-page feature titled The Passing Show in 1908. To learn more about the life and career of one of Ohio's most famous cartoonists, we invite you to watch the video, Billy Ireland, in which Lucy Shelton Caswell, Professor and Curator of the Ohio State University Cartoon Library & Museum discusses her book about Billy Ireland, which was published in 2007. Video courtesy of WOSU Public Media.
What is the history of Sullivant Hall?
The building at the northwest corner of North High Street and 15th Avenue was built as the Ohio Historical Society's museum and library. Its lower level is an English basement with large windows above grade and there are two upper stories. Construction is a steel frame and limestone exterior. The cornerstone was laid at the opening of the 1912-1913 academic year, and work on the building was completed in December 1913. It was dedicated on May 30, 1914.
In November 1921, the Trustees authorized the University Architect to prepare plans for an addition. Contracts were let in 1923, and the north wing was dedicated on April 6, 1926. Further additions were added in 1929 and 1948, and the building now consists of four sections, its final addition having been dedicated on April 14, 1950. The interior of the building has been modified several times since, most notably in 1973-1975. The building has 104,851 assignable square feet.
The structure was officially named Joseph Sullivant Hall by the Ohio State University Board of Trustees on December 4, 1970. When Ohio State University was established, Sullivant campaigned to have the University located in Columbus. He served as a member of the first Board of Trustees (1870-1878), and was largely responsible for planning the first curriculum. The building has variously been known as the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society Building, the Museum Building, the Archaeological Museum, and the Undergraduate Library. Over the years it also housed the Fine Arts Library, the Zoology Museum, Continuing Education, and the Hoyt Sherman Art Gallery.
Has the library been known by other names in the past?
The library has had several former names:
Milton Caniff Reading Room, 1977
Library for Communication and Graphic Arts
Cartoon, Graphic, and Photographic Arts Research Library
Cartoon Research Library, 1989
Cartoon Library and Museum, July 2009
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, September 2009
Where is the library located?
The library is located in the Northeast portion of the Wexner Center complex, north of the Mershon Auditorium. Entry doors are located in the walkway underneath the large, white, steel grid that runs north-south, parallel to High Street. After entering the building, take the stairs or elevator down one floor. The Cartoon Library & Museum is located next to the Fine Arts Library. Visit Us for more information.
Do I need an appointment to visit your reading room?
Making an appointment in advance is highly recommended, especially if you will be requesting more than one or two items. If you make an advance appointment, we will be able to pull the materials ahead of time and have them waiting for you when you arrive. This will save you time and will help us serve you better. Appointments are mandatory during school breaks and holidays. Visit Us for information on the library's hours.
Where can I stay when I visit the library to do research?
Follow the links below to find lodging near the Cartoon Library & Museum.
The Blackwell Hotel on the OSU campus
Holiday Inn on the Lane across from the OSU campus
University Plaza Hotel near the OSU campus
Hyatt Regency Columbus
Hampton Inn Suites Columbus-Downtown
For information about other hotels and lodging around the Cartoon Library & Museum and Ohio State University campus area see the Visitors web site.
Experience Columbus, the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau's web site, provides up-to-date information on hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfast inns in the Columbus area as well as restaurants and activities to enjoy during your stay.
*Inclusion on this list in no way implies an endorsement or recommendation by the Ohio State University Libraries. This list is compiled for informational purposes and is by no means exhaustive or comprehensive.
When can I see the exhibition in your reading room?
You can visit the exhibition in the reading room anytime that the library is open. You do not need an advance appointment.
May I photograph the exhibitions or cartoons from the collections?
No photography (including videotaping) is permitted in our reading room without permission. Contact the library or ask a staff member about the reproduction of materials.
How do I arrange a class visit or library tour?
We require a minimum of one month in advance to arrange a class visit or library tour. Contact us at cartoons@osu.edu and include the name of the requesting institution, reason for the class visit or tour, and the number of guests. If you are interested in viewing specific materials, use our Search Tools to locate the object title, creator, and finding number or consult with a library staff member.
Can you tell me the value of the original artwork, comic book or other cartoon item I own?
Library staff are prohibited from giving appraisals or estimates of monetary value for cartoon materials. See Appraisals for policies and a list of appraisers. If you do not want a formal appraisal, here is a list of price guides and books on collectibles that you might find helpful:
- Jerry Weist, The Comic Art Price Guide: Second Edition (2000)
- Jeff Ellinport, Collecting Original Comic Strip Art (1999)
- Alex G. Malloy et. al., Comics Values Annual: The Comic Book Price Guide (published annually)
- Robert M. Overstreet, The Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide (published annually)
- Comics Buyer's Guide, Comic Book Checklist and Price Guide (published annually)
- Jay Kennedy, The Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide (1982)
- Andrea Podley and Derrick Ban, Peanuts Collectibles: Identification and Value Guide (1999)
- Freddi Margolin, Peanuts: The Home Collection: A Collector's Guide to Identification and Value (1999)
- Judith Miller, Collectibles Price Guide 2005 (2004)
- Ted Hake, The Official Hake's Price Guide to Character Toys, Edition #5 (2004)
- David Longest, Cartoon Toys & Collectibles Identification and Value Guide: Identification and Value Guide (1998)
- Jameson Scott and Jim Rash, Cartoon Figural Toys (1999)
You can also search online auction sites for the sale of similar items to get a general idea of your item's value.
Do you have a copy machine that I can use?
Our copy machine is accessible to staff only. You can order photocopies of our materials for $.25 per page. The number of pages will determine how quickly we will be able to fill your order. Some materials may be too large or too fragile for photocopying. If that's the case, digital scanning may be an option.
What is the longest-running comic strip?
As of 2008, the longest-running current comic strips were:
| Katzenjammer Kids |
1897-Present |
| Gasoline Alley |
1918-Present |
| Barney Google and Snuffy Smith |
1919-Present |
| Thimble Theater/Popeye |
1919-Present (Popeye did not appear until 1929) |
| Little Orphan Annie |
1924-Present |
| They'll Do It Every Time |
1929-2008 |
| Blondie |
1930-Present |
| Dick Tracy |
1931-Present |
| Mandrake the Magician |
1934-Present |
| Flash Gordon |
1934-Present |
How do I find _________?
Refer to our How Do I Find Guide to learn how to search for books, comic books, journals, magazines and more.
How can I find articles or cartoons on a specific subject or topic?
To find articles and clippings on a specific subject, visit our Subject Files. To find cartoons on a specific topic, visit our Topic Files.
Where is the International Mueum of Cartoon Art?
The Cartoon Library & Museum acquired the collection of the International Museum of Cartoon Art in the summer of 2008. Read the press release for more information on this extensive collection of original cartoons.
How do I preserve my original cartoons?
Visit our Preserving Cartoon Art page to learn more about various aspects of preserving cartoons.
Why do there seem to be so many cartoonists from Ohio?
There is no definitive answer to this. It may be a combination of the political importance of the state, its history of strong newspapers, and its Midwestern sensibilities. The list of Ohio Cartoonists who were born, educated or worked here is indeed impressive. Further information on these cartoonists is available in the biographical files housed at Cartoon Library & Museum.
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