Today we’re highlighting one true enigma of the 1903 newspaper pages- Small Potatoes by Mary G. Jones. Yes indeed, one of the very earliest known female newspaper strip cartoonists, of whom we humbly admit to having absolutely no information on. With such a common name, ancestry databases turn up no revealing information about her life.

Mary G. Jones’ “Small Potatoes”, 1903. From the San Francisco Academy of Comic Art Collection, The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum (click to enlarge)

Jones’ adorably bizarre Small Potatoes ran through the New York Herald syndicate, from July 19th through September 6th in 1903.

Mary G. Jones’ “Small Potatoes”, 1903. From the San Francisco Academy of Comic Art Collection, The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum (click to enlarge)

We give Mary G. Jones imagination plenty of credit, even if the verses of the potato people storylines leave something to be desired. We are especially fond of her potato puppies.

Mary G. Jones’ “Small Potatoes”, 1903. From the San Francisco Academy of Comic Art Collection, The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum (click to enlarge)

Mary G. Jones’ “Small Potatoes”, 1903. From the San Francisco Academy of Comic Art Collection, The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum (click to enlarge)

Mary G. Jones’ “Small Potatoes”, 1903. From the San Francisco Academy of Comic Art Collection, The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum (click to enlarge)

If anyone has any information about Mary G. Jones, we would love for you to share it!