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Robert Crumb - "Arcade #32 April 1963" Illustrati

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Comics Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,500.00 USD
Robert Crumb -  Arcade #32 April 1963  Illustrati
<B>Robert Crumb - "Arcade #32 April 1963" Illustration Original Art (unpublished, 1963).</B></I> The story of R. Crumb and his early years as an artist has been told a number of times now, but it's worth mentioning again how important the influence of older brother Charles was upon the young Robert. Charles would cajole and bully his younger siblings into making home-made comic books, as a way to entertain themselves. Charles had a lot of talent himself, and he would try to push the others to keep up. Eventually, only Robert kept up the pace, with a growing talent that soon surpassed the abilities of Charles. "Arcade" was the name they gave to their personal comics drawn in lined notebooks, with special covers mocked up and pasted onto the books. This particular cover is absolutely gorgeous. It appears to be entirely by Robert -- by this time, Charles had lost his drive and retreated into his room, where he would stay for the rest of his life. This piece is unusual, in that it has been drawn in ink on acetate in the manner of an animation cel; the color was then applied with colored pencils to the back. The girl looks a bit like Mabel (from the brothers' earlier "Treasure Island"-inspired strips), while the frog running off with the ponytail is Oggie, star of <B>The Yum Yum Book</B></I>. This fantastic illustration has never been published, as far as we can tell. It measures approximately 7" x 9"; outside of some minor scuffing on the front of the acetate, it is in Excellent condition. This piece marks the end of Crumb's juvenile efforts, and the beginning of his professional career.