Scott Brown (1909-1982) was a nationally celebrated cartoonist and small town soda shop philosopher who came of age during the Great Depression. His cartoons appeared in Colliers, the New Yorker, the Saturday Evening Post, and many other places regularly from 1930 to 1975.
By day, he served up "the largest, coldest, and best chocolate soda on Route 30' behind the bar of Brown's Soda Shop in Mansfield, Ohio. By night he wrote his cartoons. The bulk of his prolific work is archived at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum at Ohio State University, which also houses the works of Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes) and Charles Schulz (Peanuts). Important, unique examples of his work can also be found at the Richland County Historical Society, Richland County Museum, and Mansfield Memorial Museum.
Christopher A. Kuntz, the grandson of the artist, intimately explores the heart of one of America's greatest treasures- through his cartoons, artwork and stories; images obtained from magazines, newspapers, museums, relatives, and the author's own artifacts and observations. Many of the images in this loving, funny, and thoroughly researched book have never before been seen by the public.
From the Author
I am Scott Brown's grandson, and the author of Scott Brown: Cartoonist. This hardback, full color book tells the story of my grandfather's life using over 130 brilliant renditions of his cartoons, early work, family pictures, artwork, and other memorabilia from museums, magazines, newspapers, and private collections including my own.
The culmination of over three years of research, this book includes my childhood recollections of my grandfather and the Mansfield Soda Shop.
Now, it's time to come to Mansfield, Ohio, on a warm summer afternoon in 1946. Whether you are young or old or somewhere in between, get yourself in out of the sun and cool yourself off with a tall frosty glass of "The largest, coldest, and best chocolate soda on Route 30 (including all detours)."
As my grandfather said;
"Try it, you might like it!!"
-Christopher A. Kuntz
Thank you! to Alan Wigton
and
the Richland County Historical Society
for hosting me for an evening talk at the Carriage House on Wednesday August 16 . I had a real nice time meeting some of you, and getting to see some of you again after meeting you along the way. I am so glad this has all happened, and for the new people it has brought to my life.
Alan Wigton treated the audience to a remarkable display of life sized Corner Parade poster replicas, which he hung on the wall as a temporary display. My grandfather would have gotten such a kick out of that. Thank you to each and every person who was there. I hope that you enjoyed yourself, and that I treated you to some unique experiences!
Christopher A. Kuntz
In the News:
Scott Brown is in the
Richland Source:
and in the
Mansfield News Journal!
New Resource for Scott Brown at the Richland County Historical Society!
The Richland County HIstorical Society is now storing its Scott Brown collection online! This includes Corner Parades, Famous Firsts, and original memorabelia dating back to his childhood.
Click Here to access Scott Brown's images at the Richland County Historical Society.
Reviews
"Scott Brown: Cartoonist.... is not just a fascinating biography of a mid twentieth century cartoonist deserving of wider acclaim, but it's also a heartfelt love letter to family and family history, a glimpse into the surprisingly vast world of Ohio cartooning tradition, and an exciting read full of everything from cats with gold teeth to weather-predicting turtles."
- Ben Towle, five-time Eisner-nominated cartoonist and Professor of Illustration at The Columbus College of Art and Design
“a huge sampling of Brown’s humor…. about the most entertaining family history one could imagine.”
-Alan Wigton, President, Richland County Historical Society
"A must-read for Brown descendants, and a great read for others who are not."
- Robert A. Carter, Ohio Historian and Author
".... perfect example of Americana."
- Frank Victor, MD
".... captures the essence of a bygone era."
- Major General Richard R Paul
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