December 2024 Auction Ends Thursday, December 12th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/12/2024
Sheldon Mayer's personal day planner from 1946 when Mayer was editing and creating content for All-American Publications, one of the companies that would ultimately form DC Comics. Mayer filled-in nearly every day of this planner, mentioning almost all the characters and titles in the AA canon, including Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Mr. Terrific, Boy Blue, 3 Mousketeers, J. Rufus Lion, Wildcat, Molly Pitcher, Funny Stuff, Sargon [the Sorcerer], All Star [Comics], Willy Nilly, Black Pirate, Joey Kangaroo, Bulldog Drumhead, Ghost Patrol, Nutsy Squirrel, Foney Fairy Tales and more. Almost every day Mayer lists various comic artists, pairing them with the title, including the issue number and pages. He also sometimes notes payment details for the artist, recording mailing checks and other details such as ''Get raise for [Woody] Gelman'', which appears on 8 March 1946.
Interestingly, Mayer appeared to explore the possibility of expanding ''Wonder Woman'' with an additional storyline or comic book with the character as a young girl. On 12 August 1946 Mayer writes a note to himself, ''See Jack re W.W. as a girl.'' He seemed to get the idea on 2 August when he writes to himself, ''Wonder Girl?''. Other notes include a funny doodle of a man's head that he draws on 25 March. There's even a note slipped in by another person named Ted (likely Ted Udall) on Friday 26 June 1946 reading, ''I'll see you Monday - BOO! / Ted''.
Some of the comic artists that Mayer mentions in the 1946 day planner include Joe Kubert, Harry Lampert, Ronald Santi, Jack Adler, Larry Nadle, Martin Naydel, Stookie Allen, Ed Wheelan, Moe Worthman, Paul Reinman, Howard Purcell, Rube Grossman, Bill Hudson, Joe Rosen, Ewald Ludwig, and Marin Nodell, sometimes with references to pay, and assigning artists to specific strips. A few notes are also tucked into the book. The day planner ends on 31 December, but with additional memoranda pages filled in after that, including one with entries for specific strips and prices. Most entries written in pencil, with a few in fountain pen. Planner measures 5'' x 7.875'', with each page assigned to one calendar day. Bound in red boards with gold lettering. Some cocking to spine and light wear, overall in very good condition. A treasure trove detailing the inner workings of the comic industry during its Golden Age. From the Sheldon Mayer estate.
Sheldon Mayer's 1946 Day Planner as Editor of All-American Publications -- Nearly Every Day Filled-in With Dozens of Artists & Strips Like Flash & Green Lantern -- With Idea of Wonder Woman as a Girl
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