Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title Fred Wright Papers Creator
Wright, Fred
Collection Number UE.13 Extent
80.4 Linear Feet
(47 boxes)
Date 1949-1986 Abstract Fred Wright was the staff cartoonist for the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (UE) from 1949 to 1984. His cartoons appeared in the UE News, union pamphlets, local shop papers, and animated films. This record group includes many original Wright drawings, in addition to publication layouts, correspondence, and cartoon proofs. Digital reproductions of selected cartoons are available online . Language
English
. Author Zachary Brodt, Emily Hatcher, Meredith Johnson, and Daniel Carthew. Publisher ULS Archives & Special Collections Address University of Pittsburgh Library Systemhttp://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections History
Fred Wright (1907-1984) was one of America's most renowned labor cartoonists. His career lasted from 1939 until his death in 1984. He is best known for his work as a staff cartoonist for the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE). In addition to his cartoons illustrating the union's newspaper, the UE News, he designed leaflets, strike placards and animated organizing cartoons to contribute to the American Labor Movement.
Wright sold his first cartoon to the National Maritime Union (NMU) publication, The Pilot, in 1939. He continued to draw cartoons for the U.S. Army during World War II and was ultimately hired as a staff cartoonist for the UE in 1949. Throughout this time, his work was reprinted in labor and radical publications worldwide. In the spirit of the Labor movement, his cartoons criticized the Taft-Hartley Act, McCarthyism, and other government post-war attacks on labor unions.
Wright's life experiences gave him a first-hand view of blue-collar struggles, both in America and abroad. As the child of a seamstress and a wheelwright in Derby, England, and the grandson of a founding member of the British Labour Party, he saw both the struggle of the working class and the political means to alleviate them. As a young man, he supported himself as a musician, playing in speakeasies and silent screen nickelodeons. It was while working as a saxophonist on Caribbean cruise ships that Wright saw the poverty of Central America. With input from the seamen onboard, all members of the NMU, he gained the inspiration to begin drawing cartoons.
His grandfather also influenced him artistically, giving Wright his first drawing lesson at the age of five. He would later study at the Art Students League in New York City with John Sloan, an artist whose work focused mainly on poverty-stricken urban neighborhoods. Contrary to the popular dark and realistic "ash can style" that most cartoonists of the time relied on, Wright was "one of the first cartoonists in America to introduce more of a cartoony style to political cartoons and place an emphasis on humor, keeping in mind that none of the politics are diminished," said Gary Huck, Wright's successor as UE cartoonist. Wright was a working man and drew cartoons until he died in 1984. Even when he was too ill to come into the office he mailed his drawings to work.
Scope and Content Notes This record group contains a variety of cartoons and layouts designed by Fred Wright. Included are original drawings for the UE News and other UE publications at the national, district, and local levels. Also present are publication plates, which are page layouts for UE pamphlets, books, and multi-panel cartoons. There are many cartoon proofs which have been arranged by topic, such as automation, other unions, and red baiting. Scrapbooks of Wright's cartoons are arranged chronologically. Correspondence includes letters from foreign publishers and other labor unions that used Wright's cartoons, as well as materials from a Fred Wright memorial and obituaries.
Arrangement
This subgroup has been divided into eight subgroups as follows:
Subgroup 13.1. Original Cartoons
Subgroup 13.2. Correspondence
Subgroup 13.3. Publication Plates
Subgroup 13.4. Cartoon Proofs and Negatives
Subgroup 13.5. Wright Publications
Subgroup 13.6. Scrapbooks
Subgroup 13.7. Printer Plates
Subgroup 13.8. James Lerner Addition
Access Restrictions
The records of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America are closed for a period of twenty-five years after their creation.
Acquisition Information
Gift of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America and Patricia Wright on 1987 and 1988. Additional cartoons were donated by the family of James Lerner in February 2014.
Previous Citation
Fred Wright Papers, 1949-1986, UE.13, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
Fred Wright Papers, 1949-1986, UE.13, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Processing Information
This collection was processed and the finding aid written by Zachary Brodt, Emily Hatcher, Meredith Johnson, and Daniel Carthew in October 2008. Additional material was added to the finding aid by Zachary Brodt in 2014.
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Related Material
Several animated Fred Wright films are located in UE.8.2 UE Radio Broadcasts and Film Records. These include Free Riding Rufus; Keeping Up with the Van Jones; Time to Come Back; Chug Chug,Shorter Work Week; One Answer to Automation; and The Myth, The Money, and The Many.
An episode of Labor's Corner from AIS.1997.20 Steffi Domike Papers includes interviews with Gary Huck and Peter Gilmore regarding Fred Wright's career.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital reproductions of the collection are available electronically at http://digital2.library.pitt.edu/collection/fred-wright-cartoons .
Subjects Corporate Names United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Other Subjects Industrial relations -- United States -- Caricatures and cartoons Working class -- United States -- Caricatures and cartoons Caricatures and cartoons -- United States Labor unions -- United States -- Caricatures and cartoons Editorial cartoons -- United States Labor Cartoonists Editorial cartoons Container List Subgroup 13.1. Original Cartoons Scope and Contents note This subgroup contains original and reproduced copies of Fred Wright's labor cartoons for UE publications, including the UE News . Wright's cartoons depict a number of issues common to the labor movement, spanning his position as a staff cartoonist from 1949 through his death in 1984. The cartoons in this collection represent such topics as workers' rights, satirical representation of politicians in power (especially presidents), economic issues, and international political concerns.
This collection of Wright's cartoons exemplifies his style as a cartoonist. The cartoons show his cartoony style, bringing humor to otherwise serious political issues. The original copies of his cartoons often are on a thick bristle board. Largely using only black ink, some of the cartoons feature cut out images pasted on top of the original drawing, adding a different design or texture to the illustration. The original cartoons show some of Wright's original pencil sketches on the back of or underneath the final drawing, giving the observer insight into Wright's personal drawing process.
Original Cartoons 1-150 Original Cartoons 151-300 Original Cartoons 301-452 Original Cartoons 453-585 Original Cartoons 586-623 Original Cartoons 624-675 Original Cartoons 676-721 Original Cartoons 722-814 Original Cartoons 815-949 Original Cartoons 950-1040 Original Cartoons 1041-1200 Original Cartoons 1201-1350 Original Cartoons 1301-1499 Original Cartoons 1500-1650 Original Cartoons 1651-1799 Original Cartoons 1802-1893 Original Cartoons 1896-1918 Original Cartoons 1919-1937 Original Cartoons 1938-1973 Original Cartoons 1974-2120 Original Cartoons 2121-2237 Original Cartoons 2238-2272 Original Cartoons ADD1-ADD203 Original Cartoons ADD204-ADD245 Original Cartoons ADD246-ADD276 Original Cartoons ADD277-ADD341 Original Cartoons ADD342-ADD560 Original Cartoons ADD561-ADD608 Subgroup 13.2. Correspondence Scope and Contents note This subgroup contains correspondence between Fred Wright and several foreign publishers regarding the reproduction of some of his cartoons. Included are letters and clippings from France, England, Bulgaria, Italy, and the Soviet Union. Correspondence with several UE national, district, and local officers is also present. In addition, letters of condolence to the UE regarding Wright's death are included. A program, photographs, and a copy of the speeches given at a memorial banquet held in Wright's honor are also in this subgroup.
Correspondence from England Containers box 28 , folder 1 Correspondence from the Soviet Union Containers box 28 , folder 2 Correspondence from Italy Containers box 28 , folder 3 Correspondence from France, Bulgaria, and China Containers box 28 , folder 4 Wright Cartoons in Foreign Publications Containers box 28 , folder 5 Correspondence with UE Districts and Locals Containers box 28 , folder 6 Correspondence with the United Furniture Workers of America Containers box 28 , folder 7 Correspondence with the United Steelworkers of America Containers box 28 , folder 8 Correspondence from Geraldine Ferrero , 1982 Containers box 28 , folder 9 Wright Cartoons for the United States Army Containers box 28 , folder 10 Fred Wright Memorial Program and Speeches Containers box 28 , folder 11 Fred Wright Memorial Photographs Containers box 28 , folder 12 Letters of Condolence Containers box 28 , folder 13 Fred Wright Obituaries Containers box 28 , folder 14 UE 50th Anniversary/Fred Wright Memorial Cartoon Calendar , 1986 Containers box 28 , folder 15 Pat Wright Memorial Booklet , 1993 Containers box 28 , folder 16 UE District 1 Achievement Award Containers box 28 , folder 17 Cartoon Slides Containers box 28 , folder 18 Correspondence , 1967-1984 Containers box 44 , folder 1 Subgroup 13.3. Publication Plates Scope and Contents note This subgroup contains cut and paste layouts of several Wright publications, leaflets, and cartoons. These layouts were referred to by Wright as publication plates. Many of these plates include a proof of a Wright cartoon and typed titles and text explaining the drawing, cut to size, and pasted to a piece of paper. These plates were one of the last creative steps before the design was printed in newspapers, pamphlets, or flyers.
Series 13.3.1. Labor History Series Scope and Contents note The Fred Wright "Labor History" cartoon series first appeared in the UE News from 1956 to 1961. These cartoons were a collaboration of Wright, the UE staff cartoonist, and James Lerner, a photographer and reporter for the newspaper. An expanded version of the series ran in the UE News beginning in April 1970. This series of cartoons described some of the conflicts and hardships faced by workers during the American labor movement, from the colonial period to the Vietnam War. In the newspaper, each cartoon cell is accompanied by a paragraph describing the events depicted and, typically, each cartoon consisted of three cells. The Labor History Series is featured on the University of Pittsburgh Web site Drawing on the American Labor Movement .
Labor History Series Cartoons Number 1-110 Containers box 28 , folder 19-132 Labor History Series Cartoons Number 111-175 Containers box 29 , folder 01-65 Series 13.3.2. Other Cartoon Series Scope and Contents note This series contains cartoons that were used in series published by the UE and other unions. The "Did You Know" series consists of a single cell and a short paragraph describing the drawing. Each cell portrayed an important moment in American Labor history and appeared in UE publications. The Illustrated Afro-American History series appeared in The United Teacher and other union newspapers as a collaboration between Wright and Eugenia Kemble in 1970. This series depicted the history of African Americans from kingdoms in Africa to the civil rights movement. The Strictly Non-Union cartoons depict workers being treated unfairly by their employers because they do not have a union representing their best interests.
"Did You Know?" Series Containers box 29 , folder 66-67 Illustrated Afro-American History Series Containers box 29 , folder 68-83 "Strictly Non-Union" Cartoons Containers box 29 , folder 84-87 Series 13.3.3. UE Publications Scope and Contents note This series contains publication plates for several UE publications in both English and Spanish. Included are the plates for Wright's famous book, So Long, Partner! , as well as layouts for his mimeomat booklets which contained cartoons that locals could use for their shop papers. Many of these publications are concerned with labor issues of the 1960s and 1970s, such as automation and the war economy.
Too Many Hours Containers box 29 , folder 88-89 How Foreign is Foreign Competition , 1971 Containers box 29 , folder 90 Safeguarding the Union's Integrity , 1973 Containers box 29 , folder 91 The Role of Labor Today , 1975 Containers box 29 , folder 92 Together We Win Containers box 29 , folder 93 "Shop Steward's Guide" in Spanish Containers box 30 , folder 1 Catalogue of UE Publications Containers box 30 , folder 2 Unidos Venceremos Containers box 30 , folder 3 Union with a Difference in Spanish Containers box 30 , folder 4 "UE Guide on the Preparation and Conduct of a Strike" , 1975 Containers box 30 , folder 5 "102 Days" Containers box 30 , folder 6 "The Time We Kept Westinghouse Honest!" Containers box 30 , folder 7 "What Should Union Officials be Paid?" Containers box 30 , folder 8 "Products of a War Economy" by Seymour Melman Containers box 30 , folder 9 "Automation and Jobs: Who Decides?" Containers box 30 , folder 10 So Long, Partner! Containers box 30 , folder 11-15 The Charge is "Disturbing the War!" , 1973 Containers box 30 , folder 16-19 "Basic Principles: Aggressive Struggle Rank and File Control" Containers box 30 , folder 20 "Sing Out" Containers box 30 , folder 21-22 Community Song Sheet Negatives Containers box 30 , folder 23 "Organizer's Handbook" Negatives Containers box 30 , folder 24 Mimeomat Pages , 1960s-1970 Containers box 30 , folder 25-34 Mimeomat Pages , 1970-1971 Containers box 31 , folder 1-2 "They Are Driven" Containers box 31 , folder 3 "Thirst for Learning" Containers box 31 , folder 4-5 Pamphlet on the House Un-American Activities Committee Containers box 31 , folder 6 "Labor Unity" Containers box 44 , folder 2 "Together We Win" Containers box 44 , folder 3 "It Wasn't 'Easy Come' at Westinghouse" Containers box 44 , folder 4 "They Are Driven!" Containers box 44 , folder 5 "Make Labor Rights Violations an Unfair Trade Practice!" Containers box 44 , folder 6 "Alliance for Survival" Containers box 44 , folder 7 Studies on the Left James Matles InterviewContainers box 44 , folder 8 "Don't Let It Happen Again" Containers box 44 , folder 9 "72 Day Strike" Containers box 44 , folder 10 "35 Years of UE Gains in GE" Containers box 44 , folder 11 "40 Years of UE Gains in GE" Containers box 44 , folder 12 "A Little Bit of UE History You Should Know" Containers box 44 , folder 13 Series 13.3.4. Layouts and Artwork Scope and Contents note Included in this series are publication plates and layouts for several flyers, pamphlets, and other publications. Many of these designs are concerned with elections and organizing. Other publication plates for UE forms and certificates are present, as well as layouts for non-UE publications.
District 6 Mail Back Cards Containers box 31 , folder 7 Meeting Flyers Containers box 31 , folder 8 Flyers and Circulars Containers box 31 , folder 9-10 Flyers Containers box 31 , folder 11-16 Leaflet Artwork Containers box 31 , folder 17 Local Shop Papers , 1978 Containers box 31 , folder 18 UE Forms Containers box 31 , folder 19 UE Certificates Containers box 31 , folder 20 Column Headings Containers box 31 , folder 21 UE News Nameplates Containers box 31 , folder 22 Letterhead Designs Containers box 31 , folder 23-26 Spot Cartoons Containers box 31 , folder 27-29 Bulletin Layouts Containers box 31 , folder 30 Pittsburgh Committee to End the War in Vietnam Containers box 31 , folder 31 Non-UE Pamphlets Containers box 31 , folder 32 Westinghouse and GE Pamphlets , 1983 Containers box 44 , folder 14 "Can The Workers Be Tricked" Containers box 44 , folder 15 "UE Gains" Containers box 44 , folder 16 "El Orgulloso Historial de Una Union Americana" Containers box 44 , folder 17 Mimeomat Sheets Containers box 44 , folder 18 Flyers on Taxes and Plant Closings Containers box 44 , folder 19 Charter Member Certificates Containers box 44 , folder 20 LaRocque Pamphlet Containers box 44 , folder 21 Litton Booklet Containers box 44 , folder 22 Local Union Meeting Flyers Containers box 44 , folder 23 Machine Tool Exhibits Containers box 45 , folder 1 UE International Convention UE History Slideshow , September 18, 1985 Containers box 45 , folder 2 Pamphlet Publication Plates Subgroup 13.4. Cartoon Proofs and Negatives Scope and Contents note This subgroup contains copies of many of Wright's drawings. Included are glossy "proofs" which were reviewed prior to printing. Negatives, or white lined drawings on black paper, are also interspersed throughout this subgroup. These files have retained the same descriptions used by Wright in his own filing system; however, the files were arranged in alphabetical or chronological order to facilitate use.
Series 13.4.1. Proofs and Negatives Scope and Contents note This series contains cartoon proofs and negatives that were not sorted by subject. Included are proofs of cartoons used throughout the UE News from 1970 to 1975, as well as featured cartoons that appeared on the back page of the newspaper. Also included are comic books from Westinghouse and the Republican Party.
Proofs , 1970-1975 Containers box 32 , folder 01-48 UE News Backpage Cartoons Containers box 32 , folder 49-50 Miscellaneous Cartoon Proofs and Negatives Containers box 32 , folder 51-63 Cartoon and Publication Proofs and Negatives Containers box 45 , folder 3-11 Illustrated Afro-American History Series Proofs Containers box 47 , folder 1 Clipped Cartoons Containers box 33 , folder 01-02 Comic Books Containers box 33 , folder 3 Series 13.4.2. Labor Issues Scope and Contents note This series contains cartoons concerning some of the most important issues facing American workers during Wright's career. Topics include equal rights, automation, red baiting, and wartime economy, to name a few examples. These cartoons have been arranged alphabetically by topic.
Accidents Containers box 33 , folder 4 Anti-Smoking Containers box 33 , folder 5 Automation Containers box 33 , folder 6 Censorship Containers box 33 , folder 7 Civil Rights Containers box 33 , folder 8 Cold War Containers box 33 , folder 9 Cost of Living Containers box 33 , folder 10-11 Editorials Containers box 33 , folder 12 Foremen and Bosses Containers box 33 , folder 13 Health Containers box 33 , folder 14 Labor Management Containers box 33 , folder 15 Military Budget Containers box 33 , folder 16 Milk Trust Containers box 33 , folder 17 Negotiations Containers box 33 , folder 18 Organizing Containers box 33 , folder 19-22 Other Unions- IAM Containers box 33 , folder 23 Other Unions- IBEW Containers box 33 , folder 24 Other Unions- IUE Containers box 33 , folder 25 Other Unions- Teamsters Containers box 33 , folder 26 Other Unions Containers box 33 , folder 27-29 Pensions Containers box 33 , folder 30 Political Action Containers box 33 , folder 31 Politics Containers box 33 , folder 32 Profits, Speed-ups, Prices, and Wages Containers box 33 , folder 33 Red Baiting Containers box 34 , folder 1 Reference- Non-Wright Cartoons Containers box 34 , folder 2 Run Away Plants Containers box 34 , folder 3 Slogans Containers box 34 , folder 4 Spanish Containers box 34 , folder 5 Sweetheart Contracts, Spies, and Stoolies Containers box 34 , folder 6 Taxes Containers box 34 , folder 7 Union Elections Containers box 34 , folder 8 Union Raids Containers box 34 , folder 9 Vote for Milton Shapp Containers box 34 , folder 10 Vote UE Containers box 34 , folder 11-12 War and Peace Containers box 34 , folder 13-14 Witch Hunts Containers box 34 , folder 15 Women Containers box 34 , folder 16 Series 13.4.3. Companies Scope and Contents note This series contains cartoons that address issues faced by workers at specific companies. These drawings were often used for flyers or pamphlets during UE organizing campaigns and National Labor Relations Board elections. Often several generic cartoons were used and company specific information, such as a boss's name, would be added prior to the cartoon being printed.
Motech , 1961 Containers box 34 , folder 17 American Optical Company Containers box 34 , folder 18 Union Twist Drill Containers box 34 , folder 19 Wymann-Gordon , 1966 Containers box 34 , folder 20 Horn and Hardart Containers box 34 , folder 21 Locke Insulator Corporation Containers box 34 , folder 22 Litton Industries Containers box 34 , folder 23 Vollrath, Proudfoot, and Kohler Containers box 34 , folder 24 Series 13.4.4. Districts and Locals Scope and Contents note This series includes layouts designed by Wright specifically for UE Districts and locals. Included are designs for letterhead, shop paper cartoons, and certificates.
District 1 Containers box 34 , folder 25-26 District 2 Containers box 34 , folder 27 District 5 Containers box 34 , folder 28 District 6 Containers box 34 , folder 29 District 7 Containers box 34 , folder 30 District 9 Containers box 34 , folder 31 District 10 Containers box 34 , folder 32 District 11 Containers box 34 , folder 33 District 12 Containers box 34 , folder 34 Subgroup 13.5. Fred Wright Publications Scope and Contents note This subgroup contains publications created by Fred Wright. Included are examples of his annual cartoon calendar, mimeomat books used by locals to illustrate their shop papers, and a compilation of cartoons titled So Long, Partner! These publications were sold by the UE to both members and non-members of the union. The Catalogue of UE Publications contains a list of materials available for purchase by members, as well as descriptions of the services Wright offered to locals.
Wright Cartoon Calendars , 1953-1962, 1986 Containers box 34 , folder 35 So Long, Partner! Containers box 35 , folder 1 "Cartoons for Shop Papers" Mimeomat Booklet Containers box 35 , folder 2 "UE is the Union with the Difference You Can Feel" Containers box 35 , folder 3 Catalogue of UE Publications Containers box 35 , folder 4 Wright Publications Containers box 35 , folder 5 Subgroup 13.6. Scrapbooks Scope and Contents note This subgroup includes several scrapbooks documenting Wright's work for the UE News from 1953 to 1970. Each scrapbook contains cartoons clipped from the newspaper and pasted onto a page in chronological order. Some of the earlier clippings have fallen off of the page and the pages are becoming brittle.
UE News Service , January 1953-December 1956 Containers box 35 , volume 1 UE News Service , January 1957-December 1959 Containers box 35 , volume 2 UE News Service , January 1960-November 1963 Containers box 35 , volume 3 UE News Service , December 1963-December 1969 Containers box 35 , volume 4 UE News Service , January 1970 Containers box 35 , volume 5 Subgroup 13.7. Printer Plates Scope and Contents note This subgroup contains metal plates used by the printer of the UE News to print Wright's cartoons. Many of these plates are made of a zinc-magnesium-aluminum compound and are in good condition. However, the plates are not labeled or arranged. Some topics depicted on the plates are President Richard M. Nixon, war, and automation.
Printer Plates Subgroup 13.8 James Lerner Addition Scope and Content Notes This subgroup contains original Fred Wright cartoons donated by the family of former UE News editor James Lerner. Like most of the other original drawings in Subgroup 13.1, these cartoons were drawn for publication in the UE News . Also included are copies of book covers that Wright had drawn to accompany stories Lerner wrote for his grandchildren. In addition, there is a copy of a journal that Wright kept during his illness in the 1980s.
Original Cartoons Containers box 43 , item 1-18 Cover Illustrations for James Lerner's Children's Books , 1965-1972 Containers box 43 , folder 1 Fred Wright Hospital Diary , 1981-1984 Containers box 43 , folder 2 
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