National Newspaper Syndicate

Last updated
National Newspaper Syndicate
FormerlyJohn F. Dille Co. (1917–1957)
National Newspaper Service
Industry Print syndication
Founded1917;107 years ago (1917)
FounderJohn F. Dille
Defunctc. 1984;40 years ago (1984)
Headquarters326 West Madison Street,
Chicago, Illinois
,
U.S.
Key people
Robert C. Dille
ProductsComic strips, newspaper columns, editorial cartoons
OwnersJohn F. Dille (1917–1957)
Robert C. Dille (1957–1983)

The National Newspaper Syndicate, originally known as the John F. Dille Co., was a syndication service that operated from 1917 to c. 1984. It was founded by Chicago businessman John F. Dille and specialized in comic strips and gag cartoons. It also carried advice columns, such as Paul Popenoe's "Modern Marriage." It is most well known for syndicating Buck Rogers , considered by many to be the first adventure comic strip. [1]

Contents

History

John Flint Dille (1884–1957) launched John Dille's National Newspaper Service in early 1917; later renaming it the John F. Dille Co. syndicate. The Dille syndicate's first successful strip was Richard A. "Dick" Clarke's Moving Picture Funnies, which debuted in February 1917 and ran until 1946. [2]

In 1922, the Dille syndicate absorbed the Uncle Ray Syndicate, founded by Ramon Coffman, and based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, mostly in order to syndicate Coffman's column Child's Story of the Human Race. [3]

H. F. Voorhees launched a number of strips with the syndicate in the period 1924–1926, but none of them caught on.

Dille launched Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D. on January 7, 1929; [1] internationally popular for many decades, it ran continuously until July 8, 1967. The stripe was created by Philip Nowlan and illustrated by Dick Calkins. (John F. Dille himself ghost-wrote the Buck Rogers strip from October 1949 to January 1951, working with artist Leonard Dworkins.)

Buck Rogers artist Dick Calkins' own strip, Skyroads also launched in 1929, running until 1942.

Walt Ditzen's Fan Fare was launched in 1947, running until 1961, when it changed titles to Fun Fare, running until 1973.

Cartoonist Dave Gerard began a 35-year relationship with the Dille syndicate in 1949 with his strip Viewpoint, which ran until 1953. That was succeeded by the popular strip Will-Yum, which ran from 1953 to 1966. Gerard's City Hall strip ran from 1967 to 1984. [4] [5]

The Dille syndicate launched Brad Anderson's Marmaduke in 1954, carrying the panel until c. 1970, when it moved to United Feature Syndicate.[ citation needed ] At some point in the mid-1950s, the syndicate was renamed the National Newspaper Syndicate.[ citation needed ]

John F. Dille died in 1957, [1] succeeded as general manager of the syndicate by his son Robert Crabtree Dille.

Popular National Newspaper strips from the 1960s included Win Mortimer's Larry Brannon, Elizabeth Brozowska's Geraldine, Bill Lignante's Let's Explore Your Mind (1962–1971), and Woody's World (1963–1979), originally by John Holm.

In 1968 the syndicate was offering about 35 features to about 650 client newspapers. [6]

Robert Dille died in 1983, and the syndicate faded away by 1984. Robert's son, Flint Dille, is an accomplished screenwriter, game designer and novelist. He is part of the Dille Family Trust, which owned the rights to the Buck Rogers character. [7]

Advice columns

The Syndicate ran one of the earliest marriage advice columns. Written by Paul Popenoe, it ran from 1947 to 1972. At first called "Modern Marriage," its name was changed to "Your Family and You" in 1958. [8]

Strips and panels

Related Research Articles

United Feature Syndicate, Inc. (UFS) is a large American editorial column and comic strip newspaper syndication service based in the United States and established in 1919. Originally part of E. W. Scripps Company, it was part of United Media from 1978 to 2011, and is now a division of Andrews McMeel Syndication. United Features has syndicated many notable comic strips, including Peanuts, Garfield, Li'l Abner, Dilbert, Nancy, and Marmaduke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newspaper Enterprise Association</span> American editorial column and comic strip newspaper syndication service

The Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) is an editorial column and comic strip newspaper syndication service based in the United States and established in 1902. The oldest syndicate still in operation, the NEA was originally a secondary news service to the Scripps Howard News Service; it later evolved into a general syndicate best known for syndicating the comic strips Alley Oop, Our Boarding House, Freckles and His Friends, The Born Loser, Frank and Ernest, and Captain Easy / Wash Tubbs; in addition to an annual Christmas comic strip. Along with United Feature Syndicate, the NEA was part of United Media from 1978 to 2011, and is now a division of Andrews McMeel Syndication. The NEA once selected college All-America teams, and presented awards in professional football and professional [NBA] basketball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunday comics</span> Newspaper comic-strip format

The Sunday comics or Sunday strip is the comic strip section carried in most western newspapers. Compared to weekday comics, Sunday comics tend to be full pages and are in color. Many newspaper readers called this section the Sunday funnies, the funny papers or simply the funnies.

<i>Mickey Finn</i> (comic strip) American comic strip by Lank Leonard

Mickey Finn was an American comic strip created by cartoonist Lank Leonard, which was syndicated to newspapers from April 6, 1936 to September 10, 1977. The successful lighthearted strip struck a balance between comedy and drama. It was adapted to a 400-page Little Big Book and was reprinted in several comic book series throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

<i>Skyroads</i> (comics) American comic strip (1929–1942)

Skyroads, a serialized aviation-based comic strip, was published from May 20, 1929, to 1942.

<i>Toots and Casper</i> American comic strip by Jimmy Murphy

Toots and Casper is a family comic strip by Jimmy Murphy, distributed to newspapers for 38 years by King Features Syndicate, from December 17, 1918 to December 30, 1956. The strip spawned many merchandising tie-ins, including books, dolls, paper dolls, pins, bisque nodders and comic books.

Richard William Calkins, who often signed his work Lt. Dick Calkins, was an American comic strip artist who is best known for being the first artist to draw the Buck Rogers comic strip. He also wrote for the Buck Rogers radio program.

<i>Famous Funnies</i> American comic strip anthology

Famous Funnies is an American comic strip anthology series published from 1934 to 1955 with two precursor one-shots appearing in 1933–1934. Published by Eastern Color Printing, Famous Funnies is considered by popular culture historians as the first true American comic book, following seminal precursors.

Dave Gerard was an American humor cartoonist and local politician, known for his contributions to Collier's Weekly, Country Gentleman, and The Saturday Evening Post.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McNaught Syndicate</span> American newspaper syndicate between 1922 and 1989

The McNaught Syndicate was an American newspaper syndicate founded in 1922. It was established by Virgil Venice McNitt and Charles V. McAdam. Its best known contents were the columns by Will Rogers and O. O. McIntyre, the Dear Abby letters section and comic strips, including Joe Palooka and Heathcliff. It folded in September 1989.

Allan Holtz is an American comic strip historian who researches and writes about newspaper comics for his Stripper's Guide blog, launched in 2005. His research encompasses some 7,000 American comic strips and newspaper panels. In addition to his contributions to Hogan's Alley and other publications about vintage comic strips, he is the author of American Newspaper Comics: An Encyclopedic Reference Guide (2012). He is a resident of Tavares, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Yager</span> American cartoonist

Richard Sidney Yager was an American cartoonist most famous for his work on the Buck Rogers comic strip during its heyday in the mid-20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McClure Newspaper Syndicate</span>

McClure Newspaper Syndicate, the first American newspaper syndicate, introduced many American and British writers to the masses. Launched in 1884 by publisher Samuel S. McClure, it was the first successful company of its kind. It turned the marketing of comic strips, columns, book serials and other editorial matter into a large industry, and a century later, 300 syndicates were distributing 10,000 features with combined sales of $100 million a year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zack Mosley</span> American cartoonist

Zack Terrell Mosley was an American comic strip artist best known for the aviation adventures in his long-running The Adventures of Smilin' Jack which ran in more than 300 newspapers from 1933 to 1973.

The Bell Syndicate, launched in 1916 by editor-publisher John Neville Wheeler, was an American syndicate that distributed columns, fiction, feature articles and comic strips to newspapers for decades. It was located in New York City at 247 West 43rd Street and later at 229 West 43rd Street. It also reprinted comic strips in book form.

The Central Press Association was American newspaper syndication company based in Cleveland, Ohio. It was in business from 1910 to 1971. Originally independent, it was a subsidiary of King Features Syndicate from 1930 onwards. At its peak, the Central Press supplied features, columns, comic strips, and photographs to more than 400 newspapers and 12 million daily readers. Notable comic strips that originated with Central Press include Brick Bradford, Etta Kett, and Muggs McGinnis.

The Register and Tribune Syndicate was a syndication service based in Des Moines, Iowa, that operated from 1922 to 1986, when it was acquired by King Features to become the Cowles Syndicate affiliate. At its peak, the Register and Tribune Syndicate offered newspapers some 60 to 75 features, including editorial cartoonist Herblock, comic strips, and commentaries by David Horowitz, Stanley Karnow, and others.

Buck Rogers is a science fiction adventure hero and feature comic strip created by Philip Francis Nowlan first appearing in daily U.S. newspapers on January 7, 1929, and subsequently appearing in Sunday newspapers, international newspapers, books and multiple media with adaptations including radio in 1932, a serial film, a television series, and other formats.

The Public Ledger Syndicate was a syndication company operated by the Philadelphia Public Ledger that was in business from 1915 to circa 1950. The Ledger Syndicate distributed comic strips, panels, and columns to the United States and the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Sweden, New Zealand, and Australia. The syndicate also distributed material from the Curtis Publishing Company's other publications, including The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies' Home Journal, and The Country Gentleman.

Lafave Newspaper Features was a syndication service that operated from 1931 to 1963. It was founded by Cleveland businessman Arthur J. Lafave and specialized in comic strips and gag cartoons. It is most well known for syndicating Clifford McBride's Napoleon and Uncle Elby. The syndicate also distributed Louise Davis' column Today's Etiquette.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "JOHN F. DILLE, 72, NEWS SYNDICATOR: 'Buck Rogers' Creator Dies — Called Originator of Adventure Comic Strips," New York Times (September 12, 1957), p. 31.
  2. ↑ Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Moving Picture Funnies," Stripper's Guide (March 06, 2017).
  3. ↑ "Uncle Ray Syndicate is Absorbed by Chicago Newspaper Service," Fourth Estate (August 26, 1922).
  4. ↑ "Dave Gerard Cartoons: An inventory of his cartoons at Syracuse University," Syracuse University Libraries Special Collections Research Center. Accessed October 14, 2018.
  5. ↑ Gerard entry, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Accessed October 13, 2018.
  6. ↑ Maley, Don (30 November 1968). "Super roads to riches are paved with dailies' comics". Editor & Publisher. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "Sin City creator eyes big-screen Buck Rogers". The Hollywood Reporter . December 20, 2008. p. E10.
  8. ↑ Paul Popenoe papers at the American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
  9. ↑ Ditzen entry, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Accessed October 13, 2018.
  10. ↑ Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Geraldine," Stripper's Guide (April 26, 2018).
  11. 1 2 Yarbrough entry, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Accessed October 13, 2018.
  12. ↑ Lignante entry, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Accessed October 13, 2018.
  13. ↑ Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Speed Spaulding," '"Stripper's Guide (January 03, 2011).
  14. ↑ "Possible Suit Over 'Tallulah' Strip," Editor & Publisher (1950), archived at Stripper's Guide. Accessed October 13, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.