LOT RR Auction  /  RR Auction Quality Autograph Auction 378  / 

681

William Gaines

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
William Gaines

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2011 Nov 09 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Publisher and co-editor of EC Comics (1922–1992). He published the popular satirical magazine Mad for over 40 years. ANS signed “Bill Gaines,” written at the conclusion of a three-page letter to a fan, lightly-lined, 7.25 x 10.25, February 11, 1984. Gaines notates a fan’s letter and explains the origins of Alfred E. Newman. The fan’s letter, with a stamped note at the top explaining: "Speed Reply: To give you a fast response, we have made marginal notes. We believe you prefer speed to formality," reads, in full: with the responses by Gaines shown in brackets: "I have been a loyal fan of Mad Magazine for many years now. Although I have never purchased a subscription before, I buy [Thank you!] them every month off the newsstands around town. I only wish I had saved them over the years. [So do I!] My primary interest is the collecting of World War Two memorabilia. I recently acquired a large collection of WW2 related commemorative first day covers. They are envelopes that are printed & stamped on a certain important military date, or they just convey an important wartime theme. I have found in this collection three covers that portray your own Alfred E. Newman. I have photocopied them for you. [Thank you very much!] As you can see one of them portrays him as a girl. It is dated 1945. She is saying 'I'm buying with Bonds.’ She also says she's stopping her typical female work to join the Women's Army Corps. (WACS). 'Me worry Hell no!' The second one shows him as a U. S. Navy sailor. He is also buying War Bonds. It is dated 1945, too. He is also saying 'Me worry Hell no!' On the third card, it shows him as a funny old man. He is also buying War Bonds. He also says 'Me worry Hell no!' He's joining the Armed Forces. This one is dated 1945 too. I'm sure you noticed that they never used the word 'Hell'. 'By Crockey!' [a]. Can you tell me. Was Mad Magazine in existence in those days. [No.] Did you get Alfred E. Newman from the source they did, or was he around long before that? [Yes!] I am very interest in this subject. I would really appreciate an answer, and for you to take an interest in this fascinating find, for me anyway. Have you ever run into these covers before? [No.] I understand a person named 'Crosby' was responsible for them.” At the conclusion Gaines writes: “We found him from 1890's. He was an ad for a painless dentist in Topeka: 'It didn't hurt a bit.' {Tooth missing!}” Scattered toning and soiling, staple to top left edge, and trimmed left edge, otherwise fine condition. A direct explanation from the originator of the popular Mad magazine character.
Sign In to Bookmark Lot