Ralph Yardley, like many of his generation whose lives
bridged the 19th and 20th centuries, witnessed many momentous social and
technological changes in his world. He bid farewell to the horse and buggy and
said "hello" to the automobile and airplane; he listened to the birth
of the radio and watched the development of television; he looked on as the
United States survived the Great Depression and four wars to become a global
superpower; and he watched with great interest the growth and changes that time
brought to Stockton - his hometown. And as an illustrator and newspaper artist
for over 50 years, he complied a wonderful chronicle of his world and a
fascinating legacy for succeeding generations.
The son of John and Caroline Yardley, Ralph Oswald Yardley
was born in his parents' home on East Sonora Street on September 2, 1878. Young
Yardley attended local grammar schools where his penchant for drawing was first
recognized, but it was his design of the title head for the first issue of THE
GUARD AND TACKLE - Stockton High School's official publication - that convinced
his parents that he was serious about pursuing an art career.
In 1896 Yardley left Stockton to begin his formal art
training in San Francisco, first at the Hopkins Art Institute and later at the
Partington Art School where he perfected his pen-and-ink technique. One of that
school's instructors, Richard L. Partington, was also an artist for the SAN
FRANCISCO EXAMINER and may have helped Yardley secure his first professional
position as an artist with that paper in 1898.
At that time, photograph could not be reproduced in
newspapers and staff artists provided all illustrations for news stories,
feature articles and editorials. Often accompanying reporters in the field,
newspaper artists would execute a quick sketch on the spot or take a photograph
from which drawing would later be made.
 |
MAGAZINE COVER |
After a couple of moves and attempts to establish himself as
an art instructor and free-lance commercial artist, in 1900 he moved to Hawaii
and was given his first real opportunity to develop and express himself as an
artists. Soon he was providing three and
four drawings and issue of the PACIFIC COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER. They included
special column heading, portrait work and, for the first time, political
cartoons. By 1902, Yardley had
established himself as one of the more promising young newspaper artists on the
West Coast. Later he worked for the SAN
FRANCISCO CHRONICLE and the SAN FRANCISCO BULLETIN. This was followed by work
at the NEW YORK GLOBE and then a return back to San Francisco. Viewing
Yardley's artwork from this period, it is evident that he had paid considerable
attention to the works of the leading illustrators of the day, including Charles
Dana Gibson, James Montgomery Flagg, Howard Chandler Christy and J. C.
Leyendecker.
 |
"DO YOU REMEMBER?" |
The STOCKTON RECORD had always been impressed with Yardley's
work; and in late 1921, that paper was in the position to offer Yardley
permanent employment. A new wife and daughter coupled with family and social
ties to Stockton as well as what was reported to be "splendid financial
inducements" of the RECORD proved to be the winning combination in
extinguishing the wanderlust in Yardley.
In January of 1922 he began his 30-year tenure with the STOCKTON
RECORD. Yardley's duties included a
daily editorial cartoon and special layouts such as the "Out-O-Doors"
section published every Saturday to promote automobile travel throughout the
West. Another feature that appeared every Saturday for many years was a series
of caricatures of local personalities, sports figures and National Park
personnel. Yardley continued to receive national attention, with many of his
cartoons being republished by other newspapers and the LITERARY DIGEST. In 1937 Yardley's cartoons were among those
featured in an exhibition at the Huntington Library and Arts Gallery in San
Marino, California.
Nowhere was Yardley's talent more evident than in his most
popular contribution to the RECORD - his "DO YOU REMEMBER?" series. Published every Monday beginning in November
of 1924, these illustrations / cartoons highlighted people, places and events
from Stockton's past. Yardley retired from the RECORD in 1952, just shy of his
74th birthday. He spent the remainder of his years in Stockton and Carmel. However, his interest in art never diminished
and he occasionally painted landscapes or doodled for his grandchildren.
Through the years, the Haggin Museum has had the pleasure of working with his two daughters and grandchildren to assure that his story and artwork are familiar to future generations.
Comments
Post a Comment