National Newspaper Syndicate

National Newspaper Syndicate
Formerly
 John F. Dille Co. (1917–1957)
National Newspaper Service
Industry Print syndication
Founded 1917 (1917)
Founder John F. Dille
Defunct c. 1984 (1984)
Headquarters 326 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Key people
 Robert C. Dille
Products Comic strips, newspaper columns, editorial cartoons
Owners John 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 is most well known for syndicating Buck Rogers, considered by many to be the first adventure comic strip.[1]

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 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[3]

Dille launched Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D. on January 7, 1929; hugely popular for many decades, it ran continuously until July 8, 1967. Dick Calkins' 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.

John F. Dille died in 1957,[1] succeeded as general manager of the syndicate by his son Robert Crabtree Dille (1923-1983). At that point the syndicate was renamed the National Newspaper Syndicate.

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 offered about 35 features to about 650 client newspapers.[6]

Strips and panels

  • Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D. originally by Dick Calkins (January 7, 1929–July 8, 1967)
  • City Hall by Dave Gerard (1967–1984)
  • Codgie by H. F. Voorhees (1924)
  • Do It Yourself by Morrie Brickman (1950s) — later continued under the title Crosscut from 1957 to 1962
  • Fan Fare by Walt Ditzen (1947-1961) — later continued under the title Fun Fare from 1961–1973[7]
  • Flying Legion by William Winston (1939-1942)
  • Geraldine by Elizabeth Brozowska (1961–1968) — originated in Denmark in 1958 under the title Josephine[8]
  • Jezabelle Jones by Ira Yarbrough (1952)[9]
  • Larry Brannon by Win Mortimer (1961-1968)
  • Let's Explore Your Mind by Bill Lignante (1962–1971)[10]
  • Marmaduke by Brad Anderson (1954–c. 1970) — strip moved to United Feature Syndicate
  • Moving Picture Funnies by Richard A. "Dick" Clarke (February 27, 1917–1946)
  • Skyroads by Dick Calkins (1929–1942) — known as Clipper Williams On Courage Island from 1937 to 1938
  • Speed Spaulding by Edwin Balmer & Philip Wylie and Marvin Bradley (January 8 1940–March 29, 1941)[11]
  • Talullah[12] by Ira Yarbrough (1950–1953)[9]
  • Viewpoint by Dave Gerard (1949-1953)
  • Will-Yum by Dave Gerard (1953–1966)
  • Woody's World (1963–1979) by John Holm (1963-1975) and Bill Potter (1976–1979)

References

  1. 1 2 "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. "Super Roads to Riches are Paved with Comics," Editor & Publisher (Nov. 30, 1968). Archived at "News of Yore 1968: How Newspaper Cartoonists Really Get Rich," Stripper's Guide (January 26, 2009).
  7. ↑ Ditzen entry, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Accessed October 13, 2018.
  8. ↑ Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Geraldine," Stripper's Guide (April 26, 2018).
  9. 1 2 Yarbrough entry, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Accessed October 13, 2018.
  10. ↑ Lignante entry, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Accessed October 13, 2018.
  11. ↑ Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Speed Spaulding," '"Stripper's Guide (January 03, 2011).
  12. ↑ "Possible Suit Over 'Tallulah' Strip," Editor & Publisher (1950), archived at Stripper's Guide. Accessed October 13, 2018.
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