King Features Syndicate
King Features Syndicate is a print syndication company that distributes comic strips, newspaper columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles and game to newspapers around the world.
History
William Randolph Hearst was an American newspaper publisher. In 1895 his newspapers began syndicating material, and in 1914 all of Hearst's syndication enterprises were consolidated under one banner, "King Features Syndicate". The name was taken from Hearst's manager, Moses Koenigsberg (koenig=king).
Distribution and licensing outside the U.S.
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Comic books
KFS made an effort to publish comic books of its own by establishing the publishing company King Comics in 1967. This short-lived comic book line showcased King's best-known characters in seven titles: Beetle Bailey, Blondie, Flash Gordon, Jungle Jim, Mandrake the Magician, The Phantom and Popeye.
promotional poster
King Comics vignette for postage sending
Promotional material
Blue Book
The Blue Book (first edition published in 1943) was sent out to newspaper editors only, not the general public. It was used to promote all of the daily and Sunday comic strips available from King Features as well as other columns, articles and puzzles. The books contains black and white daily strips and full page, colour Sunday samples for every comic character available at the time as well as samples of other articles and columns.
Blue Book (1943)
Blue Book (1946)
Blue Book (1949)
Blue Book (1954)
Blue Book (1955)
Blue Book (1961)
Famous Artists & Writers
"Famous Artists & Writers of King features syndicate" is a limited distribution as sent to newspaper comic editors. It was copyrighted by Melvin Leighton Heimer on April 22, 1946 (second time on February 12, 1947). The promotional book measures about 18x25.5 cm and has a five page introduction thoroughly detailing KFS, followed by short bios for 50 comic strip artist and 17 feature writers, in total of 129 pages. Each bio spanning two pages and includes a photo of the artist as well as a specialty art piece.
A second edition of "Famous Artists & Writers of King features syndicate" was printed in 1949. It is a bit larger (about 21.5x28 cm) and has 172 pages in total. Comparing the Phil Davis bio, the 1949 edition has a different photo, sample of art and the text is also rewritten.
Among the cartoonist featured are: Milton Caniff, Roy Crane, Phil Davis, Walt Disney, Lee Falk, Charles Flanders, Hal Foster, Frank Godwin, Fanny Cory, Mel Graff, Jimmy Hatlo, Syd Hoff, Fred Lasswell, Otto Messmer, George McManus, Frank Miller, Ray Moore, Mac Raboy, Alex Raymond, Bob Ripley, Otto Soglow, Walter Winchell, Chic Young, Bill Zaboly and others.
Famous Artists & Writers (1946)
Lee Falk (1946)
Famous Artists & Writers (1949)
Phil Davis (1949)
The World's Greatest Comics
from the '70s
from the '70s
(1980)
Promo Booklets
Cover (1961)
Cover (1966)
"Cover" (1969)
"Back" (1969)
A Christmas Carol
1946 KFS hardcover book "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens' cover
front endpages of 1946 KFS hardcover book "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
1949 Carol sheet
Christmas Cards
Xmas-Card
Various Documentation
Lee Falk with Jimmy Hatlo, creator of the comic strip "They'll Do It Every Time", at a KFS party.
Newspaper article / Tribute to KFS ex-Président, with drawing presentation held on July 9, 1945
1967 Advertissement
1977 KFS Microfim Catalogue / Cover
1977 KFS Microfim Catalogue / presentation page
100 Years KFS Book / IDW Publishing (Cover)
100 Years KFS Book / IDW Publishing (Back cover)
100 Years KFS Book / IDW Publishing
1967 Advertissement / KFS has a lot of characters...
