Richard F. Outcault Yellow Kid Calendar Postcard Original Art (c. 1912)....

Description

Richard F. Outcault Yellow Kid Calendar Postcard Original Art (c. 1912). This is only the second piece of original Yellow Kid art by his creator R. F. Outcault, that we have ever offered! These calendar postcards were produced for several years in a row, but only one piece of art was created for each month, this being the June edition. The calendar appeared in the flower-encircled area at upper right, and ad copy was below that. Merchants would send these oversized cards to potential customers and hope they would pin them to the wall and use them as calendars.
Created in 1895, the "Yellow Kid" originally appeared as little Mickey Dugan in the strip Hogan's Alley. Outcault's strip, and this character in particular, set many standards and helped shape the medium of comic strips. It is generally regarded as the initiator of speech balloons in comic strips (and therefore eventually comic books). Ironically, the Yellow Kid did not speak, but his dialog would appear written on his yellow nightshirt. In a further bit of irony, that gimmick was originally intended as a jibe at advertising billboards and sandwich-boards. The irony is that the Kid himself became one of the first highly-merchandised/highly-licensed comic characters. The piece is created in ink and watercolor over graphite on 9.75" x 7.5" Bristol board. There are pinholes in the corners, and overall wear and toning. There is also a circular discoloration at the Kid's elbow, and a corner crease in the bottom right corner margin. Overall in Very Good condition. From the Outcault Family Collection.

More information about Richard F. Outcault. See also: Outcault, Richard F., R. F. Outcault, Richard Felton Outcault, Richard Outcault Artist.