Well Abe—So Far—People Ain’t Got Much Christmas Spirit

“Well Abe—So Far—People Ain’t Got Much Christmas Spirit.” Life Publishing Company, c. 1930s. Ink Drawing, 17 x 10.5 in.

Young drew hundreds of gag cartoons during his life and often used racial or ethnic stereotypes in them.  Readers of the day would have known that Abe and his well-dressed colleague talking about “Christmas spirit” were Jewish merchants. This is a mild stereotype cartoon compared to others by Young picturing Jewish lawyers, the Irish, and Blacks.