Photo Cartoons. A Book of Wit, Humor, and Photo Drollery by Willard D. Morgan.

Morgan & Morgan, 1948.  Stiff wraps, staple bound, 66 pages.  As the title indicates, this book is filled with cartoons from the entire history of photography, as well as a few other illustrations, such as a detailed 19th century ad by Ed Billings, a Racine, Wisconsin, photographer. Cartoonists include Cuthbert Bede, Tom Bowler and Wellington Ames, Harvey G. Johnson, Darwin Lewis, Robert Ricker, Carl Stamwitz, et al. Very good with a piece of clear tape on front cover. Summary:

Photo Cartoons: A Book of Wit, Humor, and Photo Drollery (1948) by Willard D. Morgan is a rare and playful exploration of "Photographic Satire." Morgan, who was a giant in the technical publishing world (known for the Leica Manual), pivoted here to document how the camera could be used as a tool for caricature, visual puns, and surrealist humor during the mid-century era.

Core Themes and Narrative

• The Camera as a Comedian: The book argues that photography is not just for "serious" documentation. It highlights the "Wit of the Lens," showing how forced perspective, trick lighting, and double exposures can create humorous social commentaries.

• The "Drollery" of Modern Life: The narrative focuses on the absurdities of the post-war "Machine Age." It features cartoons that lampoon the gadgets, the "serious" hobbyist, and the domestic chaos caused by new technology.

• Technique vs. Intent: Morgan explores the "High-Performance Joke." He demonstrates that a successful photo cartoon requires the same level of technical mastery as a fine-art print, but with the added "Mechanical Twist" of a punchline.

Visual and Technical Notes

• Style: The book uses photomontage and physical props to create "Optical Impossibilities"—such as a man’s head on a camera body—rendered with the sharp, commercial clarity of 1940s advertising.

• Graphic Contrast: The cartoons are punchy and high-contrast, designed for the printed page. It mimics the bold ink lines of a traditional hand-drawn cartoon but retains the "Truth-Value" of a silver-halide photograph.