FIRST APPEARANCE OF SKEEZIX, Gasoline Alley Daily, 14 Feb 1921 & 14 Feb 1931
Artist: Frank King (All)
13 Comments - 3,448 Views - 0 Like
Artwork Details
|
DescriptionMERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!2-27-2021 I've never told the story of how I attempted to maximize my chances of being able to win the 20 Dec 2012 auction for this important comic strip original. It's not always so simple as being by the computer, bidding, and then paying for an expensive item that is being sold. Soon after Russ Cochran began to auction the originals from Frank King's estate, it became obvious that the artist had saved a large number of his originals. It occurred to me that Cochran might have access to what I consider to be the most important strip in the long run, that for 14 Feb 1921, the first appearance of Skeezix. I called Russ, and he told me that he had the first five of the Skeezix strips and that he would be auctioning them in order starting in a few months. He had already auctioned the sixth strip, in which the name Skeezix was used for Walt's newly found baby. Once I inew that the first strip existed, I decided that I had to have it no matter what it cost. Of course, no one can know if someone else would also be resolved to get the strip and if their "no matter what" was a higher amount than your own! I had been similarly determined in the past to buy pieces of art at auction, and, while I had been successful in buying two English watercolors and three pieces of comic/animation art (Murphy Anderson's Justice Society pin-up, his cover to Brave & the Bold No. 61, and the Eyvind Earle Sleeping Beauty background painting of Aurora's birthday presents, I had been forced to give up on two other watercolors which I had been willing to pay huge amounts which were just under what my wealthier competition had been willing to pay. Because no one can ever really be sure of winning at an auction, I would always prefer to buy a piece of art that is truly important to me through a straight sale. I therefore wrote to Cochran before there had been any public announcement of his having the earliest Skeezix originals and asked if the owners would consider a direct sale of the Feb 14 strip. Russ wrote back and said he didn't know but I should make an offer. And, of course, I knew that it is better to be quoted a price for a sale than be the one who initiates an offer for a unique piece of art. Since there was no alternative, I sent an offer in Feb 2012 which was higher than what I had paid for the first Blondie, Li'l Abner, and Woodstock but still somewhat in the same ballpark as what I had paid for those strips. I wan't confident that the offer would be accepted but thought that Cochran and the owners might at least come back with a higher amount that they would take. Not only was I wrong, I never even recieved any response to my offer. When the first announcements of the upcoming auctions of the first five strips appeared, Cochran had apparently changed his mind and indicated that he would be selling them in reverse order. This meant that I couldn't buy the first strip and still attempt to buy at least some of the ones sold thereafter -- I couldn't squander any money that I might need for the first strip when it finally came up for sale at the end. I actually suceded with a little self-control and didn't bid enough on the 5th, 4th, and 3rd to win the auctions for those strips. I was surprised that none ended up selling for particularly high amounts, but I also had no idea how high they might have gone if I had been more active in the bidding. But, after the third strip had sold for only about $1,700, and that the buyer of that strip had executed bids in the same manner as had the winner of the 4th and 5th originals [more about this below], it dawned on me that there was a very good chance that the same person had been the successful buyer in the first three auctions. If so, that collector would have no idea that I had intentionally refrained from being a serious bidder. that he would probably go after the 2nd original, and, if they got that one as well, and that he would almost certainly be determined to win the first one, perhaps even regardless of how high the price, in order to complete the run. So I had to at least try to engage in some psychological warfare to improve the odds of achieving my own goal. The first action I took was perhaps too obvious, but there wasn't much of a risk that it would backfire and harm my chances. I created a new category on my CAF page for "Wanted Art" -- this was before this standard option was available on the site. I posted an image of the 21 Feb 1921 Gasoline Alley, stated that I wanted the original from Santa for Christmas, and that if anyone was expecting it from Santa, I might have to pay him to give it to me instead. Since I had second thoughts about such a cutesy statement, I added a more serious comment in which I explained that I had let the 5th through 3rd strips go with the intent of saving up to buy the first Skeezix on December 20, 2012. At least anyone who had actually won the first three offerings by Cochran wo Social/Sharing |
About the Owner
|
 |
Contact the OwnerUse can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
|
Comments on this Artwork
You must be logged in to make comments.
Jeff Singh 
Member Since 2004
Posted on 12/20/2012
Historical! Wonderful! I am glad it is with you and thank you for sharing it in CAF.
Suat Tong Ng
Member Since 2009
Posted on 12/20/2012
A big win in more than one way. Congratulations to the biggest Gasoline Alley fan-collector-reader of them all!
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
Posted on 12/21/2012
It is a true gem both artistically and culturally.
Mike W
Member Since 2007
Posted on 12/21/2012
I am so, so happy for you!!! Congratulations on acquiring this very special and siignificant piece!!!
Max C
Member Since 2004
Posted on 12/24/2012
Americana at its very best. Congratulations Craig, i wonder what it may mean for you to have this beauty in your very hands. Your chase is finally over.
brisey art
Member Since 2013
Posted on 7/22/2013
wow this is one of the most important comic strips ever!
Ron S
Member Since 2007
Posted on 6/6/2020
I cannot believe that I haven't commented on this. It's just an amazing piece. Thans for sharing.
Latest Updates
All |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Auctions ADVERTISEMENT
 |
Auctions
| Bruce Timm Batman: Harley & Ivy #1 Story Page 20 P |
Auctions
 |
JIM LEE PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #4 COVER (1989, FLASHBACK TO THE VIETNAM WAR) |
Auctions
 |
Tom Lyle - Amazing Spider-Man #431 Cover - Silver Surfer as Cosmic Carnage! |
Hakes Auctions
 |
STAR WARS #5 COMIC BOOK PAGE ORIGINAL ART BY HOWARD CHAYKIN. |
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.. FREE!
Japan Comic Art Expo
0 Accepting Commissions
Commission an Artist
For Sale Updates
Classified Updates |
|
Rene Dorenbos9/6/2025 5:20:00 AM |
|
Monty B9/5/2025 3:53:00 PM |
|
Saxa Luna Galianan9/5/2025 1:01:00 PM |
|
Will Gabri-El9/5/2025 12:25:00 PM |
|
Michele M9/5/2025 12:05:00 PM |
|
Keith Veronese9/5/2025 11:09:00 AM |
|
Dealer Updates |
|
Coollines Artwork9/5/2025 9:24:00 PM |
|
Koch Comic Art9/5/2025 7:54:00 PM |
|
Anthony's Comicbook Art9/5/2025 6:43:00 PM |
|
Will's Comic Art Page9/5/2025 12:25:00 PM |
|
Essential Sequential9/5/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
Achetez de l'Art9/5/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
|
Become a Premium CAF Gallery Owner & you'll be supporting CAF and also gain access to many services and features not available to standard members.
|