2017-09-22 Preliminary Guide to the Derf Backderf Collection and Papers, 1979-2010 SPEC.CGA.DERF Finding aid prepared by BICLM Staff Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2017

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 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2018-12-31T11:32-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Derf Backderf Collection and Papers SPEC.CGA.DERF Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 17.0 Cubic feet 19 boxes 1979-2010 The Derf Backderf Collection and Papers contains photocopies, proofs, tear sheets, and original artwork by the artist. The collection is preliminarily processed and accessions are ongoing and expected. 19 boxes English Backderf, John, (derf) 1960- Arrangement of Materials

The collection is arranged into two series:

Series I: Original Art, 1980-1983 Series II: Printed Materials, 1979-2010

Accessions are ongoing and the arrangement may change in the future.

 Acquisitions Information

CGA.DERF.1984: Derf Backderf, 1984 CGA.DERF.2008: Derf Backderf, 2008 CGA.DERF.2012: Derf Backderf, 2012 CGA.DERF.2013: Derf Backderf, 2013

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box number/folder number], Derf Backderf Collection and Papers, SPEC.CGA.DERF, Billy Ireland Cartoon LIbrary and Museum, Ohio State University

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum reading room only. Audio/visual materials and computer media may need a use copy produced before access is allowed.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

BICLM Staff, 1984-2013

 Biographical Note

Derf, or Derf Backderf, was born John Backderf in 1959 in Richfield, Ohio. After graduating from Revere High School in 1978, Derf attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for one year, returning home in the summer to work as a garbage man; an experience that later inspired his graphic novel, "Trashed." Derf later received a journalism scholarship to attend The Ohio State University, where he spent three years drawing political cartoons for the university's newpaper, "The Lantern." Upon graduation, Derf briefly worked as a newpaper cartoonist in South Florida, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio, where he still resides and works today.

In Cleveland, Derf created the syndicated comic strip, "The City," first debuting 1990 in the now-defunct Cleveland Edition. "The City" was ultimately syndicated for 24 years and appeared in 174 publications, including The Chicago Reader, the New York Press, The Los Angeles Reader, and the Cleveland Free Times. During this time, Derf also continued political cartooning and was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for Political Cartooning in 2006.

In 2010 Derf published his first graphic novel "Punk Rock & Trailer Parks." And in 2013, after the release of his second graphic novel, "My Friend Dahmer" (2012), Derf ceased publication of "The City" in order to continue focus on graphic novels. "My Friend Dahmer" has since been awarded an Angoulême Prize and was adapted into a feature film for release in Fall 2017. His most recent graphic novel, "Trashed" was published in 2015 and was awarded an Eisner in 2016 for Lettering.

Please note that items in this collection have been preliminarily arranged; further acquisitions expected.

 Scope and Contents

The collection currently contains original editorial cartoon art by Derf Backderf from The Lantern, The Ohio State University student newspaper from 1981 to 1983. The collection mainly consists of printed material such as proofs, reproductions, sketches, tearsheets, clippings of Derf's work. Originals for The City (1990-2008) can be found in Series II: Printed Material along with some other originals and roughs.

The collection is preliminarily processed. More material is expected and accessions will be ongoing.

 Separated Materials

Original art by Derf Backderf has been spearated and is availible in the original art database.

Books by Derf have been separated and cataloged in the Ohio State University Libraries Catalog, under the author name Derf.

 Comic books, strips, etc. Original Art 1980-1983 Original Art by Derf Backderf 1980-1983 Separated Materials

Original art by Derf Backderf has been separated and cataloged at the item level in the original art database. Accessions are expected.

 Printed Material 1979-2010 Originals of The City DERF 1 2005-2008 Scope and Contents

Originals of The City, 2005-2008 and Undated 2005: 28 originals; 1 photocopy 2006: originals; 1 photocopy 2007: 34 originals; 1 photocopy 2008: 40 originals Undated: 11 originals

 Originals of The City DERF 2 2002-2004 Scope and Contents

Originals of The City, 2002-2004 2002: 43 originals 2003: 35 originals 2004: 57 originals; 1 photocopy

 Originals of The City DERF 3 1999-2001 Scope and Contents

Originals of The City, 1999-2001 1999: 48 originals; 5 photocopies 2000: 49 originals; 3 photocopies 2001: 66 originals; 1 photocopy

 Originals of The City DERF 4 1995-1998 Scope and Contents

Originals of The City, 1995-1998 1995: 34 originals 1996: 47 originals; 4 photocopies 1997: 42 originals; 2 photocopies 1998: 49 originals; 3 photocopies

 Originals of The City DERF 5 1992-1994 Scope and Contents

Originals of The City, 1992-1994 1992: 48 originals; 1 photocopy 1993: 51 originals; 5 photocopies 1994: 58 orginals; 5 photocopies

 Originals of The City DERF 6 1990-1991 Scope and Contents

1990: 30 originals; 2 photocopies 1991: 48 originals; 4 photocopies

 Creation of The City DERF 6 1989 Scope and Contents

3 original sketchbook pages

 Daily comic strip proposal DERF 7 1983-1989 Scope and Contents

5 proofs

 Cleveland Plain Dealer: South African Series DERF 7 1988 Scope and Contents

3 originals 2 tear sheets

 Experimental work (mostly unpublished) DERF 7 1989 Scope and Contents

6 originals 1 tear sheet (Palm Beach Post)

 Political Cartoons, The Evening Times, Palm Beach, Florida DERF 7 1983-1986 Scope and Contents

30 originals 103 black and white proofs and reproductions 1 color separation 5 pieces 2 tear sheets 1 bio sheet

 Akron Beacon Journal DERF 8 1990-1999 Scope and Contents

48 originals 8 proofs 19 tear sheets 2 newpaper tear sheet photocopies 1 clipping 1 calendar 1 CD insert

 Cleveland Plain Dealer DERF 8 1986-1989 Scope and Contents

Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1986-1989 13 originals 1 color separation; 5 pieces within separation 7 tear sheets Posters (various posters, flyers, t-shirt, 1990-present) 12 originals (various) 2 postcard originals 3 original t-shirt designs 2 black and white proofs 2 color proofs 1 black and white t-shirt design proofs 2 photocopies 2 postcard originals 2 postcards 1 poster

 Daily comic strip proposal (Untitled) DERF 8 1986-1999 Scope and Contents

7 originals

 Articles, interviews, etc. DERF 9 1989-1998 Scope and Contents

22 various articles, interviews, etc.

 Miscellanous cartoons DERF 9 1989-1998 Scope and Contents

16 originals 8 tear sheets 3 photocopies 2 proofs 1 Christmas card

 Fast Track Magazine Cartoons DERF 9 1989-1998 Scope and Contents

7 originals 8 tear sheets

 Detroit Free Press Sunday Magazine Cartoons DERF 9 1989-1993 Scope and Contents

30 originals

 Wall Street Journal Cartoons DERF 9 1990-1998 Scope and Contents

23 originals 3 photocopies

 Tear sheets of The City comic strip DERF 10 1990-1994 Scope and Contents

1990: 36 tear sheets (Cleveland Edition) 1991: 34 tear sheets (Cleveland Edition) 1992: 16 tear sheets (Cleveland Edition); 11 tear sheets (Cleveland Free Times) 1993: 41 tear sheets (Cleveland Free Times) 1994: 36 tear sheets (Cleveland Free Times, SF Weekly)

 Tear sheets of The City comic strip DERF 11 1995-2002 Scope and Contents

1995: 28 tear sheets (Cleveland Free Times) 1996: 28 tear sheets (Cleveland Free Times, New York Press) 1997: 6 tear sheets (Cleveland Free Times) 1998: 29 tear sheets (Cleveland Free Times, Eye Street Level) 1999: 19 tear sheets (Celveland Free Times) 2000: 56 tear sheets (Cleveland Free Times) 2001: 42 tear sheets (Cleveland Free Times) 2002: 47 tear sheets (Cleveland Free Times, Creativeloafing.com, New Times Los Angeles)

 Tear sheets of The City comic strip DERF 12 1990-2008 Scope and Contents

2003: 41 tear sheets (Cleveland Scene, Washington City Paper, Miami New Times) 2004: 37 tear sheets (Cleveland Scene, Houston Press, WestWord) 2005: 45 tear sheets (Cleveland Scene, Northern Express Weekly, Washington City Paper, Funny Times) 2006: 46 tear sheets (Cleveland Scene, Funny Times, The Pitch, Northern Express Weekly, Mountain Xpress) 2007: 46 tear sheets (Cleveland Scene, Northern Express Weekly, Village Voice) 2008: 31 tear sheets (Cleveland Scene, Northern Express Weekly, Village Voice) 1 Reader (Chicago), 20 December 2002 1 Clevland Edition, 24-30 May 1990 56 Magazine Clippings (various)

 My Friend Dahmer DERF 13 2001 Scope and Contents

Chapter 2 (of 3), 16 originals

 The City DERF 13 2001-2008 Scope and Contents

1 original book cover 1 proof of the book cover

 Punk Rock and Trailer Parks, graphic novel and related art DERF 13 2008 Scope and Contents

1 original cover 1 original alernative cover (with working title The Baron) 24 original penciled pages

 Trashed DERF 13 2001-2008 Scope and Contents

4 original sketches (chapter 3)

 Submission to Publishers (eventually published separately) DERF 13 2001-2008 Scope and Contents

1 photocopy of Trashed cover 1 photocopy of entire Trashed book, 26 pages 1 photocopy of entire Ghoulardi and Me book, 10 pages 1 photocopy of collection of "True Story", 6 pages

 The Fat Girl DERF 14 2005 Scope and Contents

6 originals

 Eisner Tribute DERF 14 2005 Scope and Contents

2 originals

 Promotional Items DERF 14 2000-2005 Scope and Contents

1 original (Reagan) 1 proof (Reagan) 2 Derf advertisin proofs

 Experimental Cartoons DERF 14 2000-2005 Scope and Contents

6 originals

 The City: Grueling Humor DERF 14 2000-2005 Scope and Contents

1 sales kit cover 11 sales kits (complete) 2 originals (Cleveland Scene cover art)

 Cleveland Scene cover art DERF 14 2000-2005 Scope and Contents

1 tear sheet

 Advertisement for Derf Shirts DERF 14 2000-2005 Scope and Contents

1 photocopy

 "Mark Your Calendars" promo card for the Association of Alternative Newpapers Convention DERF 14 2000 Scope and Contents

1 original

 10th anniversary of City Beat art DERF 14 2000-2005 Scope and Contents

1 photocopy

 Full page cartoons for various alt-weeklies DERF 15 undated Scope and Contents

1 CD

 Unknown (date and paper), full page alt-weekly cartoons DERF 15 undated Scope and Contents

7 originals

 Unknown (date, probably from the Cleveland Scene), full page alt-weekly cartoons DERF 15 undated Scope and Contents

7 originals

 Cleveland Scene, full page alt-weekly cartoons DERF 15 undated Scope and Contents

38 originals 38 tear sheets 2 proofs 1 photocopy

 Cleveland Free Times, full page alt-weekly cartoons DERF 15 undated Scope and Contents

1 original 1 tear sheet

 Pittsburgh City Paper, full page alt-weekly cartoons DERF 15 undated Scope and Contents

2 originals

 Miami New Times, full page alt-weekly cartoons DERF 15 undated Scope and Contents

1 original 1 tear sheet

 Plain Dealer, full page alt-weekly cartoons DERF 15 undated Scope and Contents

1 original 1 tear sheet

 New York Press, full page alt-weekly cartoons DERF 15 undated Scope and Contents

1 original 1 tear sheet 1 color guide

 Covers for various papers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

1 CD

 Beacon Journal/Enjoy Magazine, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

3 originals 3 tear sheets 1 photocopy

 Hear/Say, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

1 original \ 2 tear sheets

 Baltimore City Paper, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

1 original 1 proof

 Providence Free Phoenix, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

1 original 1 tear sheet

 Orlando Weekly, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

6 originals

 Pittsburgh City Paper, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

2 originals 1 tear sheet 1 proof

 Washington City Paper, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

9 originals 2 tear sheets 2 proofs

 San Diego Weekly Reader, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

5 originals 4 tear sheets 2 proofs

 Coast Weekly, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

1 original 1 tear sheet

 Cincinnati City Beat, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

2 originals 1 tear sheet 1 proof

 Miami New Times, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

1 original

 Cleveland Scene/Cleveland Free Times/Cleveland Edition, covers DERF 16 undated Scope and Contents

14 originals 14 tear sheets 1 proof

 Derf Backderf Artist Talk at Wexner Center for the Arts DERF 17 May 15, 2013 Scope and Contents

1 DVD

 Cleveland Free Times/Cleveland Scene/Cleveland Edition, covers DERF 17 undated Scope and Contents

11 originals 14 tear sheeets 1 proof

 Cincinnati City Beat, covers DERF 17 undated Scope and Contents

1 tear sheet

 Unknown, cover DERF 17 undated Scope and Contents

1 original

 Pitch Weekly, covers DERF 17 undated Scope and Contents

2 originals 1 tear sheet

 Beacon Journal, covers DERF 17 undated Scope and Contents

1 original 2 tear sheets 1 proof

 Icon's Annual Manual, cover DERF 17 undated Baltimore City Paper, cover DERF 17 undated Scope and Contents

1 original

 New York Press, cover DERF 17 undated Scope and Contents

1 original

 Cleveland Plain Dealer, cover DERF 17 undated Scope and Contents

2 originals 1 proof

 The City, CDs DERF 18 2007-2008 Scope and Contents

2 CDs

 Correspondence DERF 18 undated Scope and Contents

43 reader response emails 3 Blogspots 7 business letters

 Newpaper/Magazine interviews DERF 18 undated Scope and Contents

15 newpaper/magazine interviews

 Article/interview tear sheets DERF 18 undated Scope and Contents

34 tear sheets

 Tearsheets Lantern Editorial Cartoons DERF 18 1982-1983 My Friend Dahmer, uncorrected proof book DERF 19 March 2012 Essential Styrenes, Volume One, 1975-1979 album cover art by Derf DERF 19 2012 Ralph Carney's Serious Jazz Project Seriously, cover art and CD design by Derf (2 copies) DERF 19 2011 Tin Huey Before Obscurity: The Bushflow Tapes, cover art and CD designed by Derf DERF 19 2011 The City Archive (2 CD-Rom discs) DERF 19 2010-2011 Sketchbook DERF 19 1979 Scope and Contents

Note from Derf: First attempt at political cartoons

 Editorial Cartooning for Fun and Profit photocopy DERF 19 1982 Scope and Contents

Created for the High School Journalism Festival, Ohio State Journalism School.

 Superfly Spy rough sketch and color digial print DERF 19 2011 Scope and Contents

Hand-rendered for Mad Magazine's Spy vs. Spy Custom Toy Project at Comic-Con 2011 for Mad Magazine's 50th anniversary of Spy vs. Spy.

 Ohio State Lantern portfolio reproductions DERF 19 1980 Scope and Contents

Includes the cartoons:

I'm not worried he's only twice as big as I anticipated Student Aid Well, you can certainly tell it's an election year Watergate

Note from Derf: Second attempt to get onto The Lantern staff

 Ohio State Lantern portfolio reproductions DERF 19 1981 Scope and Contents

Includes:

I've come to relaize, Ron, that we play this game by a different set of rules (January 1981) Reagan shot (March 1981) No, Amy dear, Daddy's administration probably wouldn't have stood up to Col. Khadafy (Spring 1981)

Note from Derf: Third attempt to break into The Lantern

 Magazine and promotional posters DERF 19 1990-2010 Scope and Contents

Includes:

Ich Bin Ein Clevelander… What a Wacky Burg!!! Poster, 1994 Cleveland Edition, May 24-30, 1990, Volume 5, No.31 magazine cover poster Cleveland Edition, August 14-20, 1990, Volume 4, No.23 magazine cover poster Free Times, January 6-12, 1999, Vol. 7, Issue 16 cover poster Free Times, August 18-24, 1999, Vol. 6. Issue 34 cover poster Cleveland Scene magazine cover poster, 2008 Punk Rock and Trailer Parks book signing promotional poster, 2008 The Indians … Or reason #3 Why Were Named America’s Most Miserable City poster, 2009 10 More Minutes from Cleveland, promotional theater poster, 2010

 Ohio State Book Store Posters DERF 19 1980-1981 Scope and Contents

3 OSU “Big Ten Shop” posters featuring Brutus Buckeye (first version of the mascot). 1980. Two at 50.5x38cm and bus poster at 28x60.5cm

Cleveland Plain Dealer Tearsheets DERF 19 1986-1989 The City promo standee on foam core board. CGA.AC.CD3.002 1990-2014