The Aurora History Museum's own collection of cowboy cartoons illustrating the work of cowboy poet Baxter Black are on display at the museum for the first time in a dozen years.

Black, a nationally recognized cowboy poet whose work focuses on cowboys surviving into the 21st century, has published several books of cowboy poetry and one novel since 1980.

Cowboy cartoonists Bob Black, Don Gill, Dave Holl and Charlie Marsh created cartoons from three of Baxter Black's books: Coyote Cowboy Poetry, 1986; Croutons on a Cowpie, 1992; and Dunny and the Duck, 1994. The cartoons reflect the broad range of emotions evoked by Black's writings and the variety of artistic styles used by these artists in successfully capturing his meaning.

Black, a former Aurora resident, also has a weekly column that runs in 130 newspapers and a radio show "Baxter Black on Monday" that is carried on about 180 radio stations. He is an irregular commentator on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition."

"Cowboy Cartoons," which Black donated to the museum during their first exhibition in 1995, will be on display through Sept. 21. The exhibit opened July 16. Admission is free.

The Aurora History Museum is a service of the City of Aurora's Cultural Services Division. The museum at 15051 E. Alameda Parkway is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 303-739-6666 or visit auroramuseum.org.