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Incredible journal and sketchbook by comic pioneer Sheldon Mayer at the dawn of the Golden Age of Comics, from 1935-1937 when Mayer was working at companies that would ultimately become DC Comics, while also hustling to market his own strips like ''Scribbly'' which he joyously recounts selling in this book. Journal is trademarked ''The Scribble-in Book'', giving clarity to the inspiration behind Mayer's first commercial success with ''Scribbly the Boy Cartoonist'', and is also titled on the front cover by Mayer ''Sketch Book and Worthless Observations of Yours Trooly / 1935'' with a self-portrait. The very first page is also a self-portrait of Mayer at his drawing table, signed ''Sheldon Mayer'' at bottom and dated ''June - '35'' with ''Scribble In Book'' written at top.
The first part of the book is mostly sketches (many with amusing captions), including characters for his very first published comic strips, ''The Strange Adventures of Mr. Weed'' and ''J. Worthington Blimp, Esq.'', with sketches actually titled ''Mr. Weed'' and ''Mr. Blimp''. Other sketches are titled ''Us Humans'', ''Jupiter Jones'', ''Every Thing's Jake'' and a character named Herbie, often portrayed by Mayer in period costume from the 1800s. There are also many self-portraits throughout the book to complement the journal writing of his life. In addition to the sketches, Mayer often writes jokes, perhaps testing out gag cartoons, such as ''thumbing his nose'' at Hitler across the Atlantic Ocean, and a playful commentary about women vs. men in politics and who talks more, and a woman in the White House. There are also two photos of Mayer with his girlfriend Addie tucked into the journal.
As a young man of about 18, some of the diary content is about girls and his social life, but a large portion of the writing is about his struggles and success as a young cartoonist, who especially thrived at McClure working under Max Gaines, beginning in 1936. Earlier, on 20 August 1935 he writes about selling his first comic strips, ''Sold Mr. Weed and what will now be called J. Worthington Blimp to a dinky comic magazine outfit [''New Comics'']. Won't get much or anything for it for a while - but what the hell - it's a start.'' He then writes of working in a factory (''the place is full of morons. Well - maybe that's where I belong'') before being fired from the job shortly after getting into a fight. Next to a self-portrait drawing where's he's comically punching himself, he writes, ''Out of a job again! Back to plodding the streets - the old portfolio under my arm and fancied approval of its contents by those crotchety old editors in my mind. But it's all fake - what the hell is the use? Sure - praise comes from all sides - 'Great stuff, m'boy. Wonderful - you've got a great future.' Yeah but what about the present? 'Well-I'll tell you - we're not in line for anything like this now - too much money involved. Come back in the spring - good day, Mr. Mayer!' Down the elevator again. That damn car doesn't sink half as fast as my heart is sinking now.''
His luck turned in 1936, with his entry of 1 March reading, ''Two months have gone by since New Years day - Today is March 1st - I have been working in the capacity of artist for the McClure Newspaper Syndicate since January 15 or there abouts. It is not a permanent job however and may terminate at anytime. The ole mag is bringing in some steady dough and although I'm tired as hell (working day and night) - I'm riding on the crest of a wave.'' And then, triumphantly, on 5 April he writes, ''Sold a new strip - 'Scribbly' about a kid who wants to grow up and be a cartoonist - to McClure. They're using it for a new comic magazine - 'Popular Comics' - Can you imagine my stuff in the same book with 'Terry & the Pirates,' 'Dick Tracy,' 'Smitty', etc.? Gee, I hope it can stand up! I gave Bill Cook the air - My new boss (God bless him) may use 'Mr. Weed' and 'Blimp!'''. Mayer then follows up on 2 May with a charming self-portrait holding a balloon with the caption, ''Still working - Hurray! I never felt so happy, and ambitious in my life - gee - I hope nobody sticks a pin in my balloon-''
He mentions his boss, the famous Max Gaines, on 29 June 1936, ''Here it is about July - I'm still working - Every day my job seems to become more responsible. That is I am learning to be more useful to Mr. Gaines! (My boss) - I'm very busy and very happy'', and on 1 September he writes about moving into a new apartment and continued success at work, ''People are beginning to notice my stuff too - Several artists, men much older than myself, and with scrap books thirty times heavier than mine, have sought my company, and have openly confessed that 'Scribbly' is a piece of work worthy of some note - Some of them, (those with inferiority complexes, probably) have not only admitted but insisted that they wished they had done it - Whoopee - I hope this lasts! I love it!!!''. On 30 October he writes cryptically, ''Spent last Sunday with Mr. Gaines - big doings coming up - very busy - will go into detail after the story breaks.''
at 2:45 in the morning on 16 May 1937, Mayer writes in a worried state about being sued by his former boss, Ving Fuller, for libel: ''Now I must be a big shot - I have a real lawsuit on my hands - Ving Fuller, my old boss - the guy who taught me all I know about cartooning, and whom I used as a character in my strip 'Scribbly' - because I thought he'd get a big kick out of it, is suing the publishers, and me, for libel! I'm going nuts! Hereafter, if I have to use characters from real life, I'm going to disguise them so that no one will recognize them!...In the meantime, all the work I have done on Scribbly for the next three issues on the magazine, has to be scrapped & done over again, leaving out Ving, who is an important character. - I am starting a brand new continuity, and will probably be up all night for the next two months or so.'' Fortunately, however, it all worked out with Fuller, as Mayer writes on 3 June, ''Gave Ving $100 - He won't sue''.
Mayer mentions ghosting a comic strip in a 5 September entry (probably George Storm's ''Bobby Thatcher''), ''Am now ghosting a big time comic strip - appearing in newspapers thruout country - Working at home in my studio - like a real cartoonist - [Richard H.] Waldo - Big Boss - has finally noticed me - I've got to make good - Pretty tough sledding ghosting a strip - Lost 5 customers already!'', before sadly recounting that he lost his job on 16 October 1937, though keeping in good spirits knowing that his future as a 20-year old cartoonist was optimistic: ''No more comic strip - back at old job - working hard again - Feeling pretty good - Lone wolf again - No more girl friend - No more malted milk - No more nothin' - Still feelin' pretty good - End of Chapter 4 definitely!''
Journal measures 5" x 7", with most entries completed in pencil, and a few sketches in pen. There's also an additional watercolor sketch by Walter Galli tucked into the book. Backstrip is absent, with rear board detached and front board partially detached. Interior of book is well-preserved with most pages intact, although paper is slightly toned and brittle. A very personal and candid journal by comic icon Sheldon Mayer transporting the reader back to the early days of cartooning. From the Sheldon Mayer estate.
Sheldon Mayer Sketchbook & Diary From 1935-1937 With Over 65 Pages of Sketches & 70 Pages of Writing -- Mayer Recounts His Early Career Selling ''Scribbly'', Being Sued by His Former Boss & More
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