Lot 120

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Description:

Frank Willard, Creator of "Moon Mullins", Signed Photo w/ Colored Sketch

A 7.5" x 9.5" sepia-toned photograph depicting notable cartoonist and Moon Mullins creator Frank Willard (1893-1958), featuring bold inscription in red pencil: "To my fool/ Sir Sambo Gumperty/ with all good/ wishes from Frank Willard/ 1932". The image shows Willard drawing with a cigar in his mouth, reminiscent of his title character's signature smoking habits. Found at lower right is a vibrant, full color sketch of the iconic Mullins (right), his younger brother Kayo (left), and a self-portrait of Willard between. Exhibits some silvering to three corners, with creasing at top right and darkened surface markings, not affecting text. Good to fair overall with well preserved drawings.

Moon Mullins was a comic strip that ran for nearly 70 years, first appearing in the Chicago Daily Tribune on June 19, 1923. The strip follows main character Moon (short for "Moonshine"), a would-be prizefighter living in a boarding house who is constantly strapped for cash. At its height, Moon Mullins would become a popular licensing property which led to the production of various merchandise, including comic books and even a chocolate drink featuring Moon's brother Kayo as its mascot. Willard himself later become a founding member of the National Cartoonist Society, joining two weeks after its inception in 1946. The comic was continued by his assistant, Ferdinand "Ferd" Johnson, upon his death in 1958 and ran until 1991.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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November 29, 2023 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
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$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000