Powell, James R., 1960-

A devoted reader of newspaper cartoon strips, Jim Powell began collecting Peanuts cartoon books in the mid-1970s, prompted by obtaining two pure-bred beagles for his son. He cited Linus, talking to Sally, as inspiration:

Panel one -- Linus: "You know what my Grandfather says? Panel two -- Linus: "He says every child should have a dog. . . " Panel three -- Linus: He says that a child who does not have a dog is like a child deprived" Panel four -- Snoopy (lying on top of doghouse): "The actual term is 'Living without benefit of beagle' "

From dogs, Powell branched out into cats, and beginning in 1978, began collecting books of the new cartoon Garfield. Other cartoons soon followed, including The Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes, Doonesbury, and Dilbert .

From the guide to the James R. Powell Collection MS 701., 1958-2010, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries)