Jerry Robinson papers, 1942-1964

Jerry Robinson papers, 1942-1964

Summary Information

Abstract

Papers of comic book illustrator Jerry Robinson.

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#1640
Bib ID:
10098862 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Robinson, Jerry, 1922-2011; Cameron, Don; Finger, Bill, 1914-1974; Samachson, Joseph, 1906-1980; Schiff, Jack; Schwartz, Alvin, 1916-2011
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
40 linear feet
Language(s):
English .
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Description

Scope and Content

The Jerry Robinson collection contains a number of comic book and comic strip scripts given to Robinson to illustrate, including scripts by Batman co-creator Bill Finger and Robinson's own scripts for Atoman and London. In addition to the scripts, the collection includes coursework from high school and Robinson's time as a student at Columbia, as well as notebooks, script ideas, examples of Robinson's illustrating work outside of the comics, original art, Sunday comics tearsheets, and much more.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in 1 series.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

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); Jerry Robinson Papers; Box and Folder (if known); Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

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

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2012.2013.M078: Source of acquisition--Jens Robinson and Mrs. Jerry Robinson. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--12/05/2012.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed Carrie Hintz 12/07/2012.

Finding aid written Carrie Hintz 12/10/2012.

Revision Description

2012-12-12 xml document instance created by Carrie Hintz

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Biographical / Historical

Sherrill David Robinson was born January 1, 1922. He briefly attended Columbia University (1940-1941) to study journalism before leaving school to work with Batman creator Bob Kane as an inker and letterer for the book, and then at National Comics as a staff illustrator. Robinson was instrumental in creating many of the Batman secondary characters and villains. Robinson was president of the National Cartoonists Society from 1967 to 1969 and served a two-year term as president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists starting in 1973. He was inducted into the Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2004 and received the Sparky Award for lifetime achievement from the Cartoon Art Museum in 2011. Robinson died in 2011 at the age of 89.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Name
Batman (Fictitious character)

Jerry Robinson Papers


Box 1

Scripts

(these are scripts written by others and given to Jerry Robinson to create the illustrations for the comic)


Box 1

Batman #12 "Brothers in Crime" by Jack Schiff,, 1940s


Box 1

Batman #18 "Secrets of Hunter's Inn" by Joe Samachson


Box 1

Batman #24 "Adventures of Alfred" by Joe Samachson,, 1945


Box 1

Batman #27 "A Christmas Peril" by Don Cameron, 1945 February, 1945


Box 1

Batman #31 "Punch and Judy" by Bill Finger, 1945 December, 1945


Box 1

World's Finest Comics #16 by Alvin Schwartz,, 1945


Box 1

Illustration Work, 1963-1964


Box 1

Creative Writing and Coursework, 1940s

(includes class notes, syllabi, a notebook with story ideas, and drafts of scripts)