WEE PALS: Published & Nationally Syndicated OA Sunday comic strip - Morrie Turner signed/dated

The latest addition to my growing gallery is this awesome OA by the late pioneering comic strip artist Morris Nolton 'Morrie' Turner (1923-2014). He is renown for being the first nationally syndicated African-American cartoonist. This particular comic strip ran on 12-26-1983, depicts the WEE PALS discussing the food quality of George's Soul Food stand. The Soul Corner section highlights the history of General John F. Phillips, who was a heroic Veteran of the US Air Force with 32 years of service.

I purchased this from Finders Keepers Antique Shop in Heath, OH via eBay in late 2015. As the story unfurls, this particular artwork belong to former NFL player Isaac Curtis, who played his entire career with the Cinncinati Bengals from 1973 - 1984. Curtis was an All-Pro Wide Receiver who is a member of the Cinncinati Bengals Ring Of Honor and 50th Anniversary Team. After his playing days with the Bengals were over, Mr. Curtis continued to reside in the area until he made the decision to move back to his home state of California. The owner of Finders Keepers Antique Shop bought Mr. Curtis' home when they moved to the area and like this Morrie Turner artwork so much that they purchased it as well! Alas, this is how this great piece of art came into my possession!

This wonderful OA is matted in teal, and is framed in a brushed gold metal frame. The back frame has a taped informational paragraph reading, Item #77; WEE PALS by Morrie Turner; An original Wee Pals Sunday comic strip hand-colored by Morrie Turner... When Morrie Turner created WEE PALS in 1965 it was with the intention of "portraying a world without prejudice, a world in which people's differences - race, religion, gender and physical and mental ability - are cherished, not scorned."

This beautiful artwork measures an impressive 27" x 14.5"!