Behold the Handmaid comic illustrations

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: ML-009

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains 50 original hand-drawn illustrations for the comic book, Behold the Handmaid: The Story of Our Blessed Mother, published by Pflaum Publishing Group in Dayton, Ohio in 1954. The artist is unknown and the illustrations were most likely commissioned by Pflaum. The work covers the life of Mary from birth to Assumption, and is most likely geared towards children.

The illustrations are done in ink on 14.5" x 22.5" drawing paper.

Dates

Creation: 1951

Creator

Pflaum Publishing Group (Publisher, Organization)

Access

This collection is open and available to the public for research in the Marian Library reading room. The materials are non-circulating.

Copyright Notice

The materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). The materials are available for personal, educational, and scholarly use. It is the responsibility of the researcher to locate and obtain permission form the copyright owner or his or her heirs for any other use, such as reproduction and publication.

History of Pflaum Publishing Company

In 1885, the Pflaum Publishing Company was founded by George A. Pflaum Sr. The publishing house, located in Dayton, Ohio, first produced a weekly newspaper, the Young Catholic Messenger. The newspaper was distributed to students in the Catholic School System. George A. Pflaum Jr. took over the company's operation upon his father's death. He expanded the Young Catholic Messenger series to include the Junior Catholic Messenger and Our Little Messenger, each of which addressed a different age group. It was not long before the company was known to Catholic parents across the United States and Canada for producing religious and moral reading material for all members of the family. In addition to the Messenger series, George A. Pflaum Jr. began the publication of the Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact, a Catholic comic book, in 1946.

Most of the stories promoted themes of faith, family, and patriotism and related to sports, school, and Saints. Contributors included Frank Borth, Bob Powell, and Reed Crandall. Today the Pflaum Publishing Group continues to publish a wide range of materials used for Catholic religious education. (Historical note by University Archives, University of Dayton)

Extent

2 Linear Feet (1 over-sized flat document case)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains the original black and white, large scale (14.5" x 22.5") illustrations for the comic book, Behold the Handmaid: The Story of Our Blessed Mother, published by Pflaum Publishing in 1954.