Lot 1096: CROSBY, PERCY L.

1089. PERCY L. CROSBY (1891-1964) American artist and cartoonist, creator of "Skippy", a lovable character introduced in 1923, based on Crosby's boyhood memories. Skippy appeared regularly in Life magazine, in Hearst newspapers from 1926-1945, as a motion picture launching the career of Jackie Cooper, and was heavily licensed for consumer products. Crosby, also an outspoken political cartoonist, was critical of big business and FDR's policies. In 1933, a peanut butter company trademarked the name "Skippy", using the same hand-painted lettering as Crosby's "Skippy" logo, sparking a lawsuit. After criticizing FDR, Crosby was descended upon by the IRS, forcing him into financial distress. In 1939, his wife left with his kids who he would never see again. By 1948, "jittery" of what he believed was death threats, wire taps and surveillance; he began drinking and lost his Hearst contract. After he allegedly attempted suicide, his second wife had him institutionalized. This left Skippy peanut butter to use the name, despite having lost in court to Percy in 1934. Percy died in a rubber room, convinced he was undone by the government and a peanut butter industry conspiracy. Skippy finally changed their logo to no longer resemble Crosby's hand-painted lettering style in 1980. Offered here is a limitation page removed from a Crosby publication, 4to., [n.d], numbered, inscribed and signed in thick, sometime blobbing blue ink in a slightly shaky hand, "A merry Christmas and a gift from the artist and publisher to the greatest newspaper man of all time from his sincere friend, P.L. Crosby". Fine.$60-80