By:  Kevin Grace

The Archives & Rare Books Library will hold its final “50 Minutes-1 Book” presentation of the academic year on Thursday, April 17, at 12 noon in 814 Blegen Library.  Greg Hand, associate vice president for Government Relations and University Communications, will talk about Winsor McCay, a recognized pioneer of American comic strips.   McCay’s genius as an artist, cartoonist and animator has been hailed by Maurice Sendak and celebrated by a “Google Doodle.” His “Little Nemo In Slumberland” is recognized as the pinnacle of comic strip art and his “Gertie The Dinosaur” was unsurpassed until the Golden Age of Walt Disney and Chuck Jones. It is little known that McCay spent 13 years in Cincinnati.

Hand, who has been researching the artist for several years, will explore McCay’s sojourn in the Queen City and demonstrate that his experiences here from 1890 to 1903, including a connection to the University of Cincinnati, set the stage for the renowned masterpieces.

The ARB lecture series is an informal one of conversation and exploration into the archival and rare book holdings of the University of Cincinnati.  Bring your lunch, bring a friend, and enjoy an entertaining look at a fascinating cartoonist.

For more information, please call the Archives & Rare Books Library at 513.556.1959, email us at archives@ucmail.uc.edu, or visit us on our website at http://www.libraries.uc.edu/libraries/arb/index.html.