TED MARTIN CARTOON GALLERY & ILLUSTRATORS SALOON
This Toronto gallery was opened in 1974, by Ted Martin, creator of “Pavlov” and his wife Dawn Martin to sell original, editorial, panel, and strip cartoons, animation cells, illustrations, and books. The opening show included the work of David Annesley, Sid Barron, Blaine, Edward Franklin, Duncan MacPherson, Terry Mosher, Len Norris, and Roy Peterson. Their stock was about 35 to 40% Canadian in origin. They held receptions and book launchings and supported emerging artists. The gallery became a social gathering place as well and from it emerged the Toronto Cartoonists Society of which Ted was a founding member.
On a personal note I (Robert MacMillan) remember the gallery was located on Avenue Road north of Bloor Street. I can remember attending a book launch and signing in 1980 for Take My Family… Please! By writer Gary Lautens and illustrator Lynn Johnston which both the author and illustrator attended. One of the emerging cartoonists the Martins supported was Olga Urbansky who created a short-lived cartoon strip based on the character “Sergeant Renfrew” of the Mounted originally created by standup comedian Dave Broadfoot. I bought one of her strips from them.
Ted and Dawn closed this successful but exhausting enterprise in 1983.
SOURCE:
Article periodical:
RACAR:revue d’art canadienne/Canadian Art Review, 40-2, “Drawing Out Illustration History in Canada”. Writ., Jaleen Grove: 115-129.