John Severin - Bill Gaines Specialty Gag Illustration Original Art (1971)....

Description

John Severin - Bill Gaines Specialty Gag Illustration Original Art (1971). Those MADmen of MAD can't be serious even when they are off-duty! This was was created by John Severin and given to Bill Gaines as part personal gift, and also part bribe to get an inscribed 8" x 10" photo of Gaines to decorate Severin's studio. (No doubt for the dart board!) How do we know all this? Because there is a hand-written and signed letter from Severin on his on stationery taped to the reverse of the frame. The inspiration for the art was the fact that Gaines had an upcoming strip to the U.S.S.R. (and this was during the Cold War, remember). Don't overlook the portrait of Alfred E. Lennon on the wall. The art was created in ink over graphite on Duotone board with an image area of 13" x 13". Signed in the lower right, it is glass front framed to 17" x 17". From the MAD Collection of Annie Gaines Ashton.

More information about John Severin. See also: Severin, John, John Powers Severin, Severin, John Powers, Noel Powers, Powers, Noel, Le Poer Artist.