Button 242: The Kigmy from Li'l Abner (Al Capp)

242. The Kigmy from Li'l Abner (2002).

Following the overwhelming success of his Shmoo in 1948, cartoonist Al Capp was pressed by fans and merchandise licensees alike to come up with a new creature. In 1949 he invented the Kigmy, a strange, dark, big-nosed creature that loved to be kicked. Naturally the Kigmy ("Kick-Me") was welcomed by humans, who loved nothing more than taking their daily frustrations out on a creature who loved being kicked. Capp later admitted that his inspiration for the Kigmy were the two groups in American society who he felt got "kicked around" the most: blacks and Jews. While the Kigmy did not enjoy the amazing commercial success of the Shmoo (see buttons #241 and 247), there were nonetheless many kickable inflatables and other Kigmy merchandise produced in 1949.

Kitchen Sink Press published twenty-seven 12" x 9" volumes of Li'l Abner Dailies, many of which are still available in this web store. This is the 7th of 7 Li'l Abner buttons created by DKAA, the agency which represents Capp Enterprises, Inc. It is intended for promotional purposes only but, while supplies last, you can acquire this advertising item for $2.50.

1.25 inch diameter

One note, for serious button collectors, you may want to read the KSP BUTTON TEXT which explains the numbering systems for identifying the various buttons produced over the last 30 years, or see the COMPLETE KSP BUTTON LIST. The list is VERY long, so be patient while it loads.