William Papas Collection

Scope and Content

A collection of original political cartoons and cartoon strips (featuring Papas' alter-ego, Theodore the mouse), letters, sketches and newspaper cuttings, including five drawings on the six day war and a notebook containing sketches and other material. There is also some production material (brass plates and glass plate negatives).

Administrative / Biographical History

William (Bill) Elias Papas first moved to England in 1946, studying at Beckenham Art School, Bromley, before travelling around Europe. He returned to South Africa in 1949, where his first cartoon was published by the Cape Times. He also freelanced for the Johannesburg Star, Drum, and other publications. On returning to England in 1959, he joined the Manchester Guardian, and produced his first political cartoon for the paper. He was runner up in the Kate Greenaway Medal awards for childrens book illustration in 1967. After leaving the Guardian in 1970, he moved to the US in 1984.

Access Information

Open. Records may be viewed in our reading room by appointment only, see our website for more information.

Acquisition Information

Acquired from his widow between 2002-2004 and the Manchester office of the Guardian

Other Finding Aids

A full catalogue description for this collection can be found on the GNM Archive catalogue.