The World's Most Humorous Booklet? I think not. In fact, I think not even close. Despite the come-on touting the appearance of "World Famous Zito" this racist, childish, cheap and just plain odd little booklet is actually the second copy of a Bust with Humor book I've had.
Who was ZITO? Well, according to at least one "dog collectibles" website, Zito's "fame as a caricaturist was well established when he first began to sketch dogs in idle moments as an escape from his work in drawing the world's most beautiful women and the world's most famous men. His humor and understanding of dogs is just delightful." Hmmm...since the piece being described is a typical "dog peeing on a tree"gag, probably the single most common theme for cheap cartoonists and bad postcard artists, i'll let you check out to see if he measures up to other masters. In fact, check a few! Zito favored the raised leg/fire hydrant theme frequently!
So we know Zito did dogs...but what else? Sports illustrations. A set of four from 1934 sold at Sotheby's in 2004.
Chasing the dog trail, I sniff out a real bone! A biography of ZITO from 1937! Advice to young artists? Try to be a little less "debonair" when doing a drawing about "de boner"
"Bust with Humor" pamphlet circa 1950 Collection Victor Minx
