R. Robert Pollak Comic Art collection, 1977-1993

Creator:

Extent:

1 linear feet (1 box and 1 oversize folder)

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

A small collection of original comic art, by Fran Matera, Fred Lasswell, Fett, Gus Ariola, and Irwin Hasen, to be used as a teaching collection. More items are expected.

Biographical / historical:

R. Robert Pollak is a graduate of Pratt Institute, drawing illustrations with a cartoon flair since the mid-1970's. Studied with David Edward Byrd (Godspell, Follies). Painting studies in Pietra Santa, Italy. Designed major displays/windows as a Visual Merchandiser on Fifth Avenue for over a decade. Oversaw corporate publications as art director for five years at the JC Penney Company's world headquarters. Teaching art and many other subjects for the NYC DOE for more than twenty years. Sabbatical studies at School of Visual Arts.

Many pen/ink illustrations have been published in an assortment of magazines/newspapers. Starting with the SoHo Weekly News and Saks Fifth Avenue, to more recently The Shawangunk Journal, The Ellenville Public Library and Museum, and historic Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

In 2009, with assistance from John S. Lucas, started a new Katy Keene Fan Club on FB. Administered and created art for that group up to 2011. It was an artistic homage to Bill Woggon's 1945 creation and a limited edition tribute pin-up comic was produced. Mermaids, Vixens, and Wenches, A Pin-Up Gallery was created in 2011. It featured postcard collections and an independent pin-up comic that debuted in 2012. Other renderings include several b/w pieces for Red Stylo Media's Shakespeare Shaken Anthology and more recently a short story for their Frankenstein Anthology. Created Ellen's Adventures at the Shadowland, a weekly comic strip, for an upstate New York newspaper. It incorporates the local Shadowland Theatre and landmarks in the Ulster County area. This comic strip is seasonal and has appeared in the Shawangunk Journal since 2012. In 2015 "The Phantom of Sam's Point" was the first compilation of comic strips from Ellen's Adventures at the Shadowland published by Red Stylo Media. Book 2"My Alien Pal" was released in March of 2016, and Book 3"Star Struck" in early 2017.

Acquisition information:

2017.2018.M032: Source of acquisition--Curator: Karen Green. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1/23/2017.

Processing information:

Papers processed, ptl 9/1/2017.

Arrangement:

Arranged in one series, by artist, within one large folder and 1 document box.

Accruals:

Accruals expected

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); R. Robert Pollak Comic Art Collection; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection