Lot 424: CROSBY PERCY L.

424. PERCY L. CROSBY (1891-1964) American artist and cartoonist, most notably creator of "Skippy", a lovable character introduced in 1923, based on Crosby's own boyhood memories. Skippy appeared in Life magazine and on led off the comics section of Hearst newspapers from 1926-1945 but became the subject of conflict in 1933, when a peanut butter company trademarked the name "Skippy", using the same hand-painted lettering as Crosby's "Skippy" logo. Then after publicly criticizing FDR's judicial appointments, Crosby came under the scrutiny of the IRS, forcing him into financial hardship. In 1939, his wife left with his kids who he would never see again. By 1948, he became so "jittery" of death threats, wiretaps and surveillance that his Hearst contract was cancelled, and he allegedly attempted suicide. Even worse, he was institutionalized for the rest of his life, with the psychiatric order being signed by the uncle of his allegedly gold-digging second wife! This left Skippy peanut butter free to use the name and logo, despite having lost in court to Percy in 1934. Percy died in a straitjacket, convinced he was undone by the government and a peanut butter industry conspiracy. Crosby's daughter continues to battle the food giant, who only changed their logo from Crosby's appropriated hand-painted sign lettering in 1980. Sold here is a scarce T.L.S. signed "P.L.C." 2pp, 8vo., on personal stationery, New York, Feb. 16, 1946, to his longtime friend "Dick" [Hyman, publicist with Hearst's King Features]. Crosby, lamenting unenlightened appreciation for his paintings in America, he writes in part: "...I have made such outstanding marines of recent date, that the one you have is not up to the calibre and I wonder if you would be so kind as to return it to me. I don't want any of my work which I do not consider my best around America. It had been my idea to have an exhibition of these latest marines in N.Y.C., but when I look at what magazines hail as serious art, especially LIFE and VOGUE, it would be ridiculous to stoop to America's level of regimented stupidity. I feel that my paintings should go to Europe, and, when the critics see these marines I know the foreign museums will take them. I would never allow any magazine in America to reproduce any painting of mine, for I feel that I would be caught in a swirl of colored sewer boomerangs. My dread would be that some one, by some mistake, might acclaim me on these shores as a painter and that would be something that could never be lived down in the serious world of art. French dealers have been laughing up their sleeves at the swill America has paid millions for as art. Obviously typewritten personally by Crosby, with several strikeovers, and holograph corrections. Top blank margin of second page bears light discoloration from mounting in album, otherwise quite good. A caustic side of one of America's idolized cartoonists and pop culture figures, rarely encountered. $300-400