User:Mikeross22/Sandbox/Smith-Mann Syndicate

The Smith-Mann Syndicate was a small print syndication service that distributed comic strips primarily to African-American newspapers (these strips mostly featured African-American characters). Reportedly, the only client for Carousel was the influential black newspaper the Pittsburgh Courier. Based in New York City, later in its operation the syndicate was known as Eric Jon Associates.

History
The syndicate was founded by Ben B. Smith and John J. Messmann in 1950. Initially, it created an eight-page color comics supplement called Carousel, which included a number of comic strip features in various genres (adventure, humor, soap opera, etc.) Employing an in-house staff of writers, the syndicate farmed out the art to outside illustrators. Of the various Smith-Mann strips, only three creators have been identified as African-American: Jackie Ormes, Sam Milai, and Wilbert Holloway.

Carousel lasted from August 1950-August 1954; a few of the strips contained on as daily black-and-white strips.

In 1954, Smith and Messmann bought controlling interest in Interstate United Newspapers, Inc., an agency formed in 1939 by Pittsburgh Courier publisher Robert Lee Vann to sell advertising to the black press.

The syndicate was renamed Eric Jon Associates in 1955, and lasted until 1958.

Smith-Mann Syndicate strips and panels

 * Alan O’Dare by Carl Pfeufer (1951-1954) — probably the topper strip to Chisholm Kid
 * Chisholm Kid by Carl Pfeufer (August 19, 1950–August 11, 1956)
 * Don Powers by Sam Milai (August 19, 1950–November 1, 1958)
 * Funtime by Edo Anderson (1951-1954)
 * Guy Fortune by Edd Ashe (August 19, 1950–October 22, 1955)
 * Kandy by A. C. Hollingsworth (1954-1955)
 * Lohar by Bill Brady (1950–October 18, 1958)
 * Mark Hunt by Michael Tam and/or Edd Ashe (c. 1950–October 22, 1955)
 * Neil Knight of the Air by "Carl and Mac" (c. 1950–October 22, 1955)
 * Sunny Boy Sam by Wilbert Holloway (c. 1950–c. 1958)
 * Torchy in Heartbeats by Jackie Ormes (August 19, 1950–September 18, 1954) — also had a paper doll topper strip called Torchy Togs
 * Woody Woodenhead by Edo Anderson (August 19, 1950–August 4, 1956)