After several attempts to find anything printed book before 1920 in the comics/cartooning/animation field, I've decided to head to Central Library in downtown and see if the rare books dept has anything I can get my greasy fingers.
Also a choice is CSUN's dept of special collections, although I wasn't a fan of the process last time I was there.
Last resort is prowling the antique stores for thier older copies of books. I was in Chico, CA last week and came across a book printed in 1896 titled "DECORUM" which documented appropriate social and private behavior. It was a sort of reference book for situations one may find themself in. I hesistated because the copyright page was missing, and I understand that to be vital to the assignment. I should've gotten it anyways.
