Mark O'Polo by Gottfredson

Picked up these items earlier this year.

As some of you might know that legendary Mickey Mouse artist Floyd Gottfredson had plans for another comic strip of his own called Mark O'Polo. He was influenced by E.C. Segars Popeye and probably also by Milton Caniff's Steve Canyon. (Judging by the surviving concepts and plots.)
The lot included the following items: a sketch of the main character Mark O'Polo, a penciled logotype and a five page plot titled "Baby Elephant Baby-Sitter" stuffed in a envelope.

Has anyone ever seen a finished or even pencilled Mark O'Polo daily?

Dalí, Disney e Don Chisciotte

As a follow up to Michael Barrier's recent "Walt's 110th" post, here's a newspaper photo that I caught on eBay. Enjoy!

And as a "bonus" to this post a 1931 Will's Cigarettes card from their cinema stars set, featuring Walt and Mickey. (Also caught on eBay.)

Same, same ...

... but different.

I believe the WDC cover came first.  New Funnies #94 was published in Dec 1944, a year before WDC 63. The Scandinavian edition of WDC changed the turkey into a goose to fit better with our traditions. (Images courtesy of GCDB.)

Happy holidays to you all!

This piece of Carl Barks art recently surfaced at auction.
A post for those of you who has already seen "everything". :)

Image courtesy of Hake's.
Handwritten text at top “Hi, Mr. Matetsky-We Deeply Appreciate Your Interest In Us Ducks!” with additional text just below scene “-And So Does Carl Barks”. Handwritten text on bottom half reads “Dear Mr. Matetsky-I Wish To Thank You For Your Generous Valuation Of My Duck Paintings. I Try To Make Each One As Good As My Skills Will Permit. You Certainly Make Such Hard Work Worthwhile. Gratefully Yours, Carl Barks”.

Bob Pistella got another nice letter drawing in his comicartfans gallery. Click HERE to see it.

To round off this post, here's a letter + drawing sent to Jim Lowe in 1974:

NF 266

Located a set of black and white proofs for the New Funnies #266 Woody Woodpecker story yesterday.
With the old Western publishing coloring still intact! (On separate sheets.) Sadly the lettering was missing, but all of the nice Paul Murry art was still there.
Here's a sample.

It's nice that stuff like this still turns up now and then, don't ya think?

Coffee break

Just an ordinary day at work at Egmont.

Bamse is having a coffee break, reading the latest issue of his comic book.

That issue got some press coverage in Arbetarbladet.
We happened to do a story about how a giant christmas goat was burned.
And the night after the subscribers got it in the mailbox ...
the christmas goat in Gävle burned.

Well, well ...

Lilla My and a pair of Filifjonkor

I just have to share this scan of a wonderful gouache by Tove Jansson, featuring "Lilla My" and a pair of "Filifjonkor".

1950's? 1960's? Anyone who knows were this was published? I don't think I've seen it before.
It's currently for sale at Seriegalleriet in Stockholm.
If you got 135.000 sek to spare, my advice is that you go ahead and buy it.
I surely would.

Update: The piece is now sold! 
Congratulations to the buyers. It's a real gem!