(Note,
the image above is rather large so that you
can see details. Give it several seconds
to load the 2MG file. Then click the
pop-up.)
WILL
EISNER
(1917-2005)
• Semi-original page 4 to “Fan Mail”
(January 1, 1950)
Will Eisner
& Jules Feiffer’s “Fan Mail” story is a
favorite among Spirit
fans for obvious reasons: it is
a very early example of comic fans seemingly
interacting with the creator of a
popular strip. And ordinarily this terrific New Year’s Eve page, prominently
featuring our masked hero, with
bird’s eye and worm’s eye views, violent action and
dramatic trademark Eisner
angles, would bring much more
than we are asking here. The reason it is priced very
affordably is that it is
only a partial original: The letter in the upper left
is original, and the
figures of Sammy and Commissioner Dolan at the bottom
of the page are original,
as is the “tattered” border around the edges. The rest
is a sharp Photostat.
Will Eisner did this retouching when the story was
being reprinted in the
modern era. It’s still a striking page, and a great
starter page for a
collector young or on a budget.
Medium/Size/Condition:
The original portion of this page is drawn with
brush, pen and ink on Bristol board measuring 15
inches wide x 22 inches high.
The Photostat portion is glued on to the Bristol
board. There is a 2-inch tear
just below the letter along the left edge, otherwise
the semi-original is in
excellent condition. Two different Eisner studio
rubber stamps on the reverse.
Provenance:
The Will Eisner estate is exclusively represented by
the Denis
Kitchen Art Agency, an affiliate of Steve Krupp’s
Curio Shoppe and Gallery.
This drawing is warranted to be an authentic original
created by Will Eisner,
and sold on behalf of his estate. Note: Image is
© Will Eisner Studios, Inc.
Reproduction for commercial purposes requires
permission. (Displaying the art on
comic art fan sites does not constitute commercial
use.)
Further reference: Much other Eisner art, plus
out-of-print graphic
novels, Spirit comic books and magazines,
signed serigraphs,
his Famous
Cartoonist Button, and numerous other
Eisner-related items are
accessible from our sister store Steve
Krupp’s
Curio Shoppe. Just type his name (or The
Spirit) into our search
bar. |