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Possible lead on Ellis Chambers

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topic icon Author Topic: Possible lead on Ellis Chambers  (Read 215 times)

Electricmastro

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Possible lead on Ellis Chambers
« on: January 06, 2024, 12:54:53 AM »

Came across a 1950 newspaper article giving a possible lead on Ellis Chambers, who drew much funny animal art:

"I threw him some chum but he swam away. Gulls followed him above. I could see his head break water further out. "Sure he looked healthy. You know there haven't been any fish to speak of in the bay for a couple of years.

I think the seal cleans them up. He could eat 60 or 60 a day." In Jamaica Bay Jamaica Bay harbors 150-pound eal, Ellis Chambers and two fellow fisermen said yesterday. "I'm from Seattle where we have seal all the time; I wouldn't be mistaken," said Chambers, a cartoonist who lives at 609 Cross Bay Boulevard on the bay shore." - https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/450579283/
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The Australian Panther

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Re: Possible lead on Ellis Chambers
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2024, 02:55:29 AM »

Thanks for that!
Here is some of EC's Work.
Forgotten Master: Ellis Holly Chambers
http://www.bigblogcomics.com/2023/06/cartoonist-of-mystery-ellis-holly.html

All of which will likely be also on CB+.

And from the same blog, a tantalizingly small amount of possible biographical detail.
Cartoonist of Mystery: Ellis Holly Chambers!
http://www.bigblogcomics.com/2023/06/cartoonist-of-mystery-ellis-holly.html

Quote
I have not been able to find even a shred of biographic information regarding Mr. Chambers. There seems no information to be found regarding year of birth or death, birthplace, family . . . nothing. The only scrap that has been passed down that I've been able to find comes third-hand from the great Harvey artist, Howie Post; who apparently shared a studio with the artist in the ‘40s in New York City.

This interesting if disturbing scrap comes from my friend Sherm Cohen and his blog, Cartoon SNAP!:

"Milton Knight provides some tantalizing information about cartoonist H. Chambers: 'It's Holly Chambers! (Holly was his middle name; I think his first name began with an E.) My late friend, Howie Post, used to share a studio with him and had several vivid tales to tell: he described Chambers as a handsome, charismatic "psychotic" who could walk out with a bar stool and stare down the bartender with a 'what are you going to do about it?'

Post also revealed that Chambers was a heroin addict who could shoot up and complete a comic book overnight: 'Who needs women when you have this??' As colorful as his comics, that was Holly Chambers. Howard lost track of him in the 50s, and suspected that he was "rubbed out" by his drug connections.”

It would seem there is just enough known or rumored about Mr. Chambers to make him forever a mysterious legend. If anyone out there has any more cheerful or biographical info on Mr. Chambers or his life, I'd be very happy to hear it. As of now, his wonderful, joyful work will be his most meaningful and endearing legacy.


And here is the GCD checklist for EHC's work. What has been identified anyway.
https://www.comics.org/checklist/name/Ellis%20Chambers/   

EHC  could be a good subject for the Reading Group, Robb!! [Hint! Hint!
« Last Edit: January 06, 2024, 12:32:09 PM by The Australian Panther »
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Robb_K

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Re: Possible lead on Ellis Chambers
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2024, 11:31:31 AM »


Thanks for that!
Here is some of EC's Work.
Forgotten Master: Ellis Holly Chambers
http://www.bigblogcomics.com/2023/06/cartoonist-of-mystery-ellis-holly.html

All of which will likely be also on CB+.

And from the same blog, a tantalizingly small amount of possible biographical detail.
Cartoonist of Mystery: Ellis Holly Chambers!
http://www.bigblogcomics.com/2023/06/cartoonist-of-mystery-ellis-holly.html

Quote
I have not been able to find even a shred of biographic information regarding Mr. Chambers. There seems no information to be found regarding year of birth or death, birthplace, family . . . nothing. The only scrap that has been passed down that I've been able to find comes third-hand from the great Harvey artist, Howie Post; who apparently shared a studio with the artist in the ‘40s in New York City.

This interesting if disturbing scrap comes from my friend Sherm Cohen and his blog, Cartoon SNAP!:

"Milton Knight provides some tantalizing information about cartoonist H. Chambers: 'It's Holly Chambers! (Holly was his middle name; I think his first name began with an E.) My late friend, Howie Post, used to share a studio with him and had several vivid tales to tell: he described Chambers as a handsome, charismatic "psychotic" who could walk out with a bar stool and stare down the bartender with a 'what are you going to do about it?'

Post also revealed that Chambers was a heroin addict who could shoot up and complete a comic book overnight: 'Who needs women when you have this??' As colorful as his comics, that was Holly Chambers. Howard lost track of him in the 50s, and suspected that he was "rubbed out" by his drug connections.”

It would seem there is just enough known or rumored about Mr. Chambers to make him forever a mysterious legend. If anyone out there has any more cheerful or biographical info on Mr. Chambers or his life, I'd be very happy to hear it. As of now, his wonderful, joyful work will be his most meaningful and endearing legacy.


And here is the GCD checklist for EHC's work. What has been identified anyway.
https://www.comics.org/checklist/name/Ellis%20Chambers/   

EHC  could be a good subject for the Reading Group, Robb!! [Hint! Hint!

I COULD choose 2 or 3 books with his work on my next turn (8 weeks from now).

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