Eddie Germano Cartoon Collection

In 1992, after retiring from the Brockton Enterprise, Mr. Germano decided to donate the cartoons created during his thirty-year career at the newspaper. There are over 2900 cartoons of which approximately 120 are duplicate copies. Germano’s cartoons range in size from around 8x9 inches to about 27x20 inches, with an average size of e 11x15 inches.

Although when first hired his primary responsibility was sports cartoons, his responsibilities grew to include politics and other topics. When looking at the collection These cartoons typically have addressed local sports issues including high school football and baseball; the occasional NFL commentary and Professional golf. His cartoons also follow MLB specifically the Red Sox. Many of Germano’s other sports related cartoons, in this collection, have been combined with another category. For example, he liked to combine sports and politics. Generally, Germano would have a state or local official dressed in sports uniform and have the issue being played out on the field.

Politics: Slowly Germano began taking over the editorial section. These cartoons discussed issues from voting, election candidates, state/federal aid, Brockton and surrounding area politics, to specific issues like judge rulings, vetoed bills, the new BHS. There are many where he touches on issues of draught, pollution, and housing in the Brockton area. These cartoons made up the majority of Germano’s portfolio thus far. The Brockton high school was an issue that dominated Germano’s cartoons for over twenty years. He began with the highlights and problems in the planning stages for the high school and followed the issue through until after the school was built. Germano also followed the mayor’s political term just as closely. Elections, issues during office, and transition out of office were followed closely.

Holiday: Each year Germano’s Christmas cartoons showed the “Brockton Enterprise” being delivered to the homes in Brockton. Germano also addressed other holidays like Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and the New Year. While the majority of these cartoons are solely about the holiday being addressed, Germano took liberty in combining politics and sports related issues within this category.

Local News: In this category of cartoons, Germano commented on issues like drunk driving, paying extra attention during summer vacation while driving, violence or vandalism in the area, celebrations like the Brockton band going to tour Europe, mother nature and the changing climate, local jobs for teenagers and pollution. Aware of Brockton’s problems, Germano attempted to address the good and bad of the area, in hopes of change and inspiration.

Daily Life: This section dealt with women and the home, or women and the workplace. During the 1960’s Germano had done a series of cartoons addressing the feelings of family members in regards to women in the workplace. It remains unclear where Germano stood on this topic.