Another in a series of Spill posts showing a particular artist’s very first published New Yorker drawing and their very last
Ethel Plummer’s name may not be familiar to most, but of the over 700 New Yorker artists that have contributed to the magazine in its 93 years, she holds the distinction of appearing in The New Yorker‘s very first issue (February 21, 1925) and being the first published woman New Yorker cartoonist.
Here’s her drawing from the magazine’s debut issue:
Ms. Plummer’s New Yorker run didn’t last very long. Just three more drawings: July 10, 1926; September 4, 1926; and this one, published October 9, 1926 — her last:
In case you’re wondering if all of Ms. Plummer’s drawings were he/she captioned, the answer is…almost. Only her September 4th, ’26 caption is a single line.
Here’s an excerpt from Liza Donnelly’s Very Funny Ladies:
“By the time The New Yorker was founded, Plummer was already established professionally, and, in fact, The New Yorker had sought her out. An early list of contributors included Plummer, indicating her status in the art circles of New York. Her illustrations appeared in many of the national publications of the day: Vogue, Life, Vanity Fair,…”
The Spill’s A-Z Plummer Entry:
Ethel Plummer Born, Brooklyn, NY, 1888. New Yorker work: Ms. Plummer has the dual distinction of being both the New Yorker’s first female cartoonist as well as having her work in the magazine’s very first issue, February 21, 1925. Ms. Plummer, whose married name was Mrs. Frederick E. Humphreys, died October 31, 1936, at her home, 33 Fifth Avenue, New York. More info on Ms. Plummer can be found here.