Ernie Bushmiller Nancy Daily Comic Strip Original Art dated 6-27-41 (United Feature Syndicate, 1941)....

Description

Ernie Bushmiller Nancy Daily Comic Strip Original Art dated 6-27-41 (United Feature Syndicate, 1941). Bushmiller's signature characters, Nancy Ritz and Sluggo Smith, are as well known today as they were eight decades ago. An incidental character known as Oxie proved of limited use, however, as a fireplug-shaped tough kid whom Bushmiller had introduced in the June 16, 1941, episode. In this inspired gag, Sluggo bets on himself in a wrestling match against Oxie -- and loses, of course. Sluggo's punchline is a grand touch of absurdity. Likewise delightful are Bushmiller's deliberate misspellings ("vaniller" and "chawklit"), along with his use of a Brooklynese dialect for Sluggo. Ink over graphite on Bristol board with an image area of approximately 22" x 5". Mild overall toning, a few pinholes in the margins, and some light smudging. In Excellent condition.
From the Denis Kitchen Collection.

More Information: Backstory: As Oxie faded away, Sluggo's truer Nemesis would emerge in the form of a neighborhood bully called Spike, or sometimes Butch, depending on the cartoonist's memory and mood.