Heritage to Offer Rare Winsor McCay Little Nemo Original!

DALLAS, TEXAS: Since the debut of newspaper comics near the dawn of the Twentieth Century, there have been many memorable strips. Some, like George Herriman's Krazy Kat, are revered for their literary qualities. Others, like Walt Kelly's Pogo, are remembered for their incisive look at contemporary politics and society, or like Peanuts for their gentle good humor. For sheer artistic quality and imagination, however, none can compare to Winsor McCay's masterwork, Little Nemo in Slumberland.

The story of a young boy (his name, Nemo, means "no one" in Latin) and his spectacular adventures in the land of dreams, McCay painted fabulous vistas of color and light on the comics page that were far, far ahead of his time. His delicate linework, unerring sense of color, and boundless imagination combined to create an artistic and engaging strip that has not yet seen its equal. In 1966, McCay's work was the subject of an exhibit at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, and noted illustrator Maurice Sendak has cited McCay's work as a major influence on his own style.

"The example offered in our current auction comes from an extremely fertile period in McCay's life," said Ed Jaster, Vice President for Heritage. "By 1909, the year this strip appeared in The New York Herald, McCay had already honed his illustrating chops on a number of pointed political cartoons. Additionally, he had contributed Tales of the Jungle Imps to the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1903 to 1908, and had already gained fame with Little Sammy Sneeze and Dream of the Rarebit Fiend, both beginning in 1904. By the time he introduced Little Nemo in Slumberland, on October 15, 1905, he was at the very peak of his creative powers. Also in 1909, Nemo was enjoying a very successful run as a musical on Broadway, with music by the celebrated light opera composer Victor Herbert. Without a doubt, this was a plum period for both Nemo and McCay."

"Still ahead of the great cartoonist was his pioneering work in animation and a move from the Herald to William Randolph Hearst's American newspaper family in 1911," Jaster continued. "Although still highly desirable and collectible, aficionados typically consider this period of the strip's life, when it was known as In the Land of Wonderful Dreams, somewhat inferior to its legendary predecessor."

"The exquisite piece offered in our current auction, worthy of display in any museum, features both Nemo and his erstwhile companion Flip, the cigar-chomping 'bad boy' of the strip," Jaster said, "in which Nemo's father is driven mad by his wife's purchase of a monstrously large Easter bonnet. Interestingly, in the first panel of the bottom row, Mr. Nemo says, 'Just keep those Whiffenpoofs away, will you?' The use of the word 'Whiffenpoof' is a direct allusion to the Nemo stage show, referring to Joseph Cawthorn, a well-known comedian of the day, who was cast as Dr. Pill. According to John Canemaker in his book, Winsor McCay: His Life and Art," During the run of Little Nemo, Cawthorn improvised a tale about a mythical creature he named a 'Wiffenpoof [sic].' The name caught the public's fancy, entered the English language, and became a famous song and the name of a Yale singing group."

"Little Nemo art is exceptionally rare - we've only offered three other examples in our five years of dealing in original comic art - and highly prized by collectors," Jaster said. "This particular piece, in splendid condition and with excellent content, represents an opportunity that may not repeat itself for some time to come."

Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Comics Signature Auction will be held January 18-20 in their Dallas, Texas world headquarters.

Winsor McCay - Little Nemo in Slumberland Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 4-11-09 (New York Herald, 1909):
ESTIMATE: $25,000 - up

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Heritage specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, classic toys, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material, toys, and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 288 or Lon Allen at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 261 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit www.HA.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HA.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HA.com.

Music and Hollywood memorabilia collectors should contact Doug Norwine at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 452 or email DougN@HA.com.

Movie poster consignors please call Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367 or email GreySm@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.