This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/1/2025
Sheldon Mayer's handwritten journal from 1957, shortly after the debut of Mayer's most famous creation "Sugar and Spike" a year earlier. Journal comprises over 80 pages of handwritten material by Mayer, with clever observations, his thoughts on what makes for good writing and numerous story ideas including a short story of a man killed by his lover's husband.
With ownership inscription on cover, journal is titled "Rambling notes before breakfast" and dated 26 March 1957 to 9 June 1957. Mayer was a prolific journaler during those 10 weeks, beginning with humorous observations about a waiter's cutting skills. He writes on the first page, "I kept watching the waiter to see if he'd cut himself. He was busy slicing Italian bread with a long sharp knife. He'd hold the bread against his stomach and bring the knife down on it toward himself. I was sure he'd cut himself in half any minute. I didn't want to take my eyes off him for fear I'd miss the big moment. But he came thru safely and I suppose I was disappointed. However, he turned out to be a pretty nice fellow so I didn't mind it too much. I wish I could keep my mind on one subject. Or even on one waiter…"
On 2 April at 7 am, Mayer writes, "The rain is pelting the roof as if it had a grudge against it. The ground outside is soaked solid. Little puddles between the blades of grass make them look like so many green periscopes - in a very submarine infested area. They would have to be tiny submarines, green ones, and even at that I think it's a lousy simile. I can't help noticing tho, that some of the modern, half-poetic writers will stretch a word even further than I did to turn a simile. To me a simile sinks unless it makes a picture. And it has to do that quickly, or it stinks twice as worse…"
Opening to a random page, on 28 April at 9:48 am, Mayer writes, "I played it real smart last night. I knew I couldn't afford to lose another hours' sleep right now; I'm so tired these days that I keep missing my own mouth with my cigarettes - Have to feel my way down to it after hitting my nose or eye with 'em."
Spiral-bound journal measures 6" x 9.25", with some entries in pen and some in pencil. Moderate wear and soiling, overall very good condition. A plethora of content from one of the most unique minds during the Golden Age of Comics.