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Desperate Desmond, cartoon strip, c1955. Creator: Shirley Markham
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Desperate Desmond, cartoon strip, c1955. Creator: Shirley Markham
Desperate Desmond, cartoon strip, c1955. The dastardly Desmond plots a dreadful end for the heroine, but she is saved by Handsome Harry. Shirley Markham (1931-1999) studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London from 1950-1952. The writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake (1911-1968) was one of her tutors, and her style of drawing was also influenced by other British illustrators such as Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake and Edward Bawden. Markham spent time in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy, and also visited Rome, sketching classical buildings. After graduating from Central, she worked as a graphic designer, producing book illustrations, cartoons for comics, menus and programmes. She gave up her promising career however when she got married in 1957. Middle-class women at that time were expected to devote their energies to bringing up children and running the home, and despite her obvious talent, she lacked the confidence to return to illustration. Her portfolio remained in the family attic for many years, but now her work is published here for the first time. From " Kid Dynamite" western comic
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Media ID 18266613
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Character Comic Comic Strip Cowboy Cowcatcher Fifties Hero Heroic Heroism Markham Railway Line Railway Track Railway Tracks Retro Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Steam Train Train Train Track Villain Waite Wild West Happy Ending
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This print showcases a vintage cartoon strip titled "Desperate Desmond" created by the talented Shirley Markham in 1955. The mischievous Desmond, with his dastardly plans to bring harm to the heroine, is brilliantly depicted in this artwork. However, just as all seems lost for our protagonist, Handsome Harry swoops in to save the day. Shirley Markham's artistic journey began at Central School of Art in London where she studied Graphic Design and Illustration from 1950-1952. During her time there, she had the privilege of being taught by Mervyn Peake, an esteemed writer, artist, poet, and illustrator. Influenced by renowned British illustrators like Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden; Markham developed her unique style of drawing. Her passion for art led her on adventures across Italy's Dolomite Mountains and Rome where she sketched classical buildings that would later inspire her work. After graduating from Central School of Art, Markham pursued a successful career as a graphic designer producing book illustrations, cartoons for comics including menus and programs. Sadly though promising her career was cut short when she got married in 1957 due to societal expectations placed upon middle-class women during that era. Despite possessing undeniable talent as an illustrator; lacking confidence prevented her return to illustration. For many years Markham's portfolio remained hidden away in the family attic until now when we have the privilege of publishing it here for the first time. This remarkable piece comes from "Kid Dynamite" a western comic strip showcasing Shirley Markham's exceptional skill (not associated with any commercial use).
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