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Comics: Bruce Baker Is or Isn’t Al Stahl

February 19, 2018, 5:00 am
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1935


According to Who’s Who of American of Comic Books 1928–1999, Al Stahl used the pen name, Bruce Baker. But there really was a comic book artist named Bruce Baker.

Bruce Edward Baker was born on March 20, 1916, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, according to Baker’s Social Security application which was transcribed at Ancestry.com. His parents were Olin J. Baker and Margaret E. Thompson.

When Baker’s father, a self-employed photographic supplier and New York native, signed his World War I draft card on June 5, 1917, the family of three lived in Grand Rapids at 1416 Sherman Street. The same address was recorded in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census.

In the 1930 census, Baker and his parents, both photographers, remained in Grand Rapids but at a different address, 542 Livingston.

Baker attended Central High School and was in the class of 1935. He was on the art staff of the school yearbook, Helios, in 1934 and 1935.

The 1940 census recorded Baker, a student, in Brooklyn, New York at 11a South Portland Street. Baker was staying with his cousin Walter Homiak and his two sisters, Anna and Mildred. Baker was studying at Pratt Institute. In the 1940 Prattonia yearbook, Baker was in Pictorial Illustration at the School of Fine and Applied Arts (see page 45).

During World War II, Baker enlisted in the army on May 27, 1943. He was discharged December 24, 1945.

Baker’s comic book connection was revealed in the Utica Daily Press (New York), April 3, 1946.
Last Rhoadsman Appears Friday
Final issue of the Mohawk Rhoadsman semi-monthly publication at Rhoads General Hospital, will appear Friday, it was revealed yesterday by Col. A J. Canning, commanding officer. The magazine is being discontinued due to the lack of personnel experienced in publishing a magazine.

Originally named Cross Rhoads at its inception in September, 1943, just after the first patients arrived at Rhoads, the magazine was discontinued in May of 1944 in order to help alleviate the paper shortage. It was published under its present name from May, 1945, until now.

Among the reporters, photographers and artists who worked for The Mohawk Rhoadsman were: T 3 Vic Tampon, former New York Times cameraman, now working for Vogue: T 5 Bruce Baker, comic book artist; Signal Corps photographer Cpl. Joe Petak, survivor of the death march from Batan [sic]; T 5 Ed Robbins, former Hollywood photographer; T 4 Bill Cloonan, industrial publications writer, and S. Sgt. Bill Casey, newspaper reporter and rewrite man.


There were at least nine comic book stories signed “Bruce Baker”.


Ding Dong #1, 1946; Doodle Doo and Doodle Dee





Ding Dong #3, 1946; Sally Salt and Peter Pepper







Frisky Fables, v2 #11 [14], February 1947; Lee O’Lion



Frisky Fables, v3 #4 [19], July 1947; Lee O’Lion



Frisky Fables, v3 #7 [22], October 1947; Lee O’Lion



Frisky Fables, v3 #10 [25], January 1948; Lee O’Lion



Frisky Fables, v3 #11 [26], February 1948; Lee O’Lion



Frisky Fables, #43, October 1950; The Mad Artist



Other work by Baker has not been found. He may have gone into animation or commercial art.

The Social Security Death Index said Baker passed away November 7, 1987, in Miami, Florida. He was laid to rest at Fred Hunter's Hollywood Memorial Gardens East.


Further Reading
Profile of Al Stahl


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Comics: Ed Winiarski, Artist

February 26, 2018, 5:00 am
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Edward C. “Ed” Winiarski was born on May 6, 1911, in Niagara Falls, New York. The birth date is from the Social Security Death Index, and the birthplace is based on census records. New York County Marriages, at Ancestry.com, said Winiarski’s parents were Julian Winiarski and Carolina Wasiewicz.

In the 1915 New York state census, Winiarski was the fourth of five children. He had three older brothers and a younger sister. Their father had a hardware business. The family resided in Niagara Falls at 1228 East Falls. The Winiarskis have not yet been found in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census. The Winiarskis were at 1220 East Falls in the 1925 state census.

Winiarski’s drawing was featured in the Buffalo Express, November 15, 1925.


The listings in the 1929 Niagara Falls city directory said Winiarski’s father passed away March 2, 1929. The Winiarski Hardware Company was operated by Winiarski’s brother, Theofil. Winiarski was a student.

According to the 1930 census, the Winiarski family was at the same address. Winiarski’s parents were identified as Polish emigrants.

Winiarski graduated from Niagara Falls High School. The 1931 yearbook, Niagarian, included several illustrations by Winiarski, who was an art editor on The Chronicle, a bi-monthly school publication. Winiarski did not have a senior photograph in the 1931 Niagarian.




Winiarski continued his education at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 8, 1934, reported the graduation at Pratt. Winiarski was in the School of Fine and Applied Arts’ Pictorial Illustration class. Two of his classmates were Lorence Bjorklund and Monroe Eisenberg, both future comic book artists.

The New York City, Marriage License Indexes, at Ancestry.com, recorded two people, Edward Winiarski and Rose A. Poida, who obtained a license in Manhattan on April 10, 1937. It’s not clear if the man is the same person of this profile.

Several sources said Winiarski worked in animation. Evidence of such work has not been cited. Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999 said Winiarski began working in comic books in the late 1930s. Winiarski produced art for National Comics and some of the stories were signed with the pseudonym, Fran Miller, which was the maiden name of his wife.

The Schenectady Gazette (New York), June 22, 1939, noted the marriage of Winiarski.
Winnearski [sic]-Miller
Announcement has been made of the marriage of Miss Frances Anna Miller of Plainville, Conn., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Miller of Myron street, to Edward Winnearskl of Brooklyn, on Friday in the Plainville Congregational Church. Miss Margaret Miller of this city was her sister’s only attendant. Both Mr. and Mrs. Winnearskl are graduates of Pratt Institute.



Winiarski and Frances graduated in 1934. Frances was in Teacher Training in Fine and Applied Arts department. Frances was born and raised in Schenectady, New York. Her parents were Bruce and Rosa. Frances graduated high school in 1931. After graduating Pratt, Frances moved to “Bronxville, to be an arts and crafts teacher in Brantwood Hall, a boarding school”, according to the Gazette, September 25, 1934.

1931 Shucis

In the 1940 census, Winiarski resided in Brooklyn at 400 Washington Avenue. His occupation was “fine artist” for a “magazine company”. Frances was not recorded with him. Her whereabouts is not known at this time.

Winiarski’s mother passed away in 1942.

Winiarski also worked for Timely Comics, from the early 1940s to the late 1950s. On August 14, 1942, a photograph of some of the Timely and Funnies Incorporated staffs was taken at the Hotel Astor. In the detail of the photograph below, from front to back, are Syd Shores, Winiarski with glasses, George Klein and Martin Goodman.


Alter Ego #13, March 2002, published Jim Amash’s interview with Dave Gantz who provided a photograph of the Timely bullpen at the Empire State Building. Pictured were Chris Rule, Barbara Clark Vogel, Gantz, Marcia Snyder, Mike Sekowsky and Winiarski. The photograph was taken in 1943 or later. Many of Winiarski’s credits are at the Grand Comics Database.

Winiarski’s caricature of Timely publisher, Martin Goodman, was reprinted in The Secret History of Marvel Comics: Jack Kirby and the Moonlighting Artists at Martin Goodman’s Empire (2013) on page 89. Winiarski’s self-caricature, from Krazy Komics #7, April 1943, can be viewed at Timely-Atlas-Comics.

The Gazette, January 15, 1945, noted the visit to Winiarski’s in-laws, “Mr. and Mrs. Edward Winiarski of Brooklyn with their son, Bruce Edward, are visiting Mrs. Winiarski’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce D. Miller of 1436 Myron street.”

At some point Winiarski moved to Queens Village, New York. The Gazette, November 19, 1968, reported the election of Winiarski’s wife as president of the New York State Association of Teachers of Mentally Handicapped. She was one of the founders of the organization. The article also mentioned she was a Queens Village resident, mother of two sons, and teacher of art and elementary school classes.

The Gazette, December 25, 1972, reported the passing of Frances’s father and said, “Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Rosa Lasher Miller; two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Cozine of Scotia, and Mrs. Frances A. Winiarski of Queens Village, L.I., and four grandchildren.” Her mother passed away in September 1975.

Winiarski passed away December 24, 1975, in Queens, New York. The date of his death was found at the genealogy site, Geni. The Social Security Death Index said Winiarski’s last residence was Jamaica, Queens County, New York. According to Frances’s second husband and childhood boyfriend, Waldo Arthur Runner, Winiarski suffered “a severe cardiac condition”. Winiarski was laid to rest at Clovesville Cemetery, the same cemetery as Frances’s parents.

Frances passed away November 26, 2007, in New Bern, North Carolina. Runner wrote the obituary that was published in the Sun Journal, November 27, 2007. Frances was laid to rest with Winiarski. 


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Comics: How to Read an Artist’s Edition

March 5, 2018, 5:00 am
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Lettering: Edgar Allan Poe on Autography

March 12, 2018, 5:00 am
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Comics: Billy Graham and the New York Amsterdam News

March 19, 2018, 5:00 am
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New York, New York, Birth Index, 1910-1965
Name: William H Graham
Birth Date: July 1, 1935
Birth Place: Bronx, New York City, New York
Source: Ancestry.com

1940 United States Federal Census
255 West 144th Street, New York, New York 
Name / Age
Ernest Graham, 43 [born in North Carolina; barber]
Irene Graham, 40 [born in North Carolina]
William Graham, 4 [born in New York]
Source: Ancestry.com
(In the 1940 census there were several young boys named William Graham but only one was black; he and his parents are listed above.)
Source: Ancestry.com

High School of Music & Art
New York City
Class of 1953

Further Reading
facebook
Grand Comics Database
The New York Times
twitter 
Who’s Who of American Comic Books, 1929–1999


An Incomplete List of Billy Graham in the New York Amsterdam News

November 12, 1977
page D14: 21 Brands, Inc. Congratulates the Nominees for the 5th Annual Audelco Recognition Awards [Audience Development Committee]
Nominees for Scenic Designer
Billy Graham “Sweet Talk”

October 7, 1978
page D12: Arts Calendar
Readings/Talk
LET’S STOP AND HAVE A HAMBURGER—Reading of a play for film by Billy Graham. Frank Silvera Writers’ Work­shop, 317 W 125 St, NYC. 662-8463. Mon Oct 9, 7:30 pm. (Contrib)

March 3, 1979
page 45: Arts Listings
Let’s Stop and Have a Hamburger—Reading of a play by Billy Graham. Frank Silvera Writers’ Work­shop, 317 W 125 St, NYC. 662-8463-69. Sat Mar 3, 3 pm. (Donation)

July 26, 1980
page 27: About The Arts: ‘Street Magician’ Special reading at N.Y. Public
By Mel Tapley
Billy Graham—the artist and playwright, not the evangelist—is excited about the special reading of his play, “The Street Magician,” which will be held July 28, 7:30 p.m., at the N,Y. Shakespeare Festival Public Theatre, 425 Lafayette St. Not only is the The Public Theatre’s Playwrights Workshop, which is coordinated and directed by winning playwright Ed Bullins, sponsoring the reading, but some of theatre’s topnotch  actors, Richard Gant, Elaine Graham, Clebert Ford, Rosanna Carter, Dianne Kirksey and Janice Jenkins will be participating.

August 16, 1980
page 48: Janice Jenkins, spellbinding in ‘Street Magician’
There was a reading recently at the New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theater, arranged by playwright Ed Bullins, director/coordinator of the Writers’ Workshop, for the {day, “The Street Ma­gician,” written by Billy Graham. “The Street Ma­gician (‘Let’s Stop And Have A Hamburger’)”—such an innocent tag, is a tale of “mystery and the macabre.” The story fo­cusses [sic] on a modern day Black family whose mother, ‘Gwen’, is the great granddaughter of the famed voodoo queen, Marie Laveau (who, according to Graham, may still be living in New Or­ leans). The play is about a magic war that’s been going on since the 1860’s between Marie Laveau and her nemesis/successor, Rosalee Douglass.

The pace of the play is interesting indeed and the business is fast and smooth but gets a little slower indicating you’re in “another time.” As soon as you realize it, the pace quickens again.

The dialog is humorous, fast-paced and a bit in the comic book style which comes from Mr. Graham’s long-term association with Marvel Comic books. You see, Billy created the first Black super hero “Luke Cage (Powerman) Hero For Hire.” His writing style comes through in the play with exaggerated exclamations, actors cutting off one another’s lines with excitements, realizations and confusions. It works! It also gives the play bits of needed humor and lightens the thick air of “mystique” created in the writing.

...Playwright/actor/artist Billy Graham, selected some of New York’s top Black (and white) actors who were excellent in their creation of his characters. “The Street Magician” (‘Let’s Stop And Have A Hamburger’) is presently being looked at by several Off Broadway producers and chances are it will undoubtedly be produced, probably by this fall. It will definitely be something to experience and not to be missed.

March 7, 1981
page 40: Movies beckon Billy Graham
Playwright/Actor/Artist, Billy Graham is taking a break from working on his soon-to-be produced stage play “The Stage Magician.”

Since the play’s special re-reading in January for theatrical producers Woodie King, Jr., and Steve Tennen of Henry Street Settlement. Graham, busy sketching and designing the special sets and ironing out technical details, has been approached by several motion picture companies to write screenplays. One of them the Raft Theatre Ltd. Co., has offered Graham a play script to read prior to the possibility of his re-scripting it for the screen.

However, the playwright is being careful in his selections, although he is considering acquiring the right to a popular novel for adaptation to the screen on the life of an internationally known celebrity.

"I am very much aware,” says Graham, “that if this project is launched and proves successful, it’ll provide many much needed jobs in|the coming video revolution. Videotaping is in vogue now and many sources of its use has yet to be tapped.”

May 23, 1981
page 34: Richard Pryor is ‘Bustin’ Loose’ with laughs
(Billy Graham movie review)

June 13, 1981
page 30: Mad Mel Brooks dishes out corn ill-bred
(Billy Graham movie review of “History of the World—Part 1”)

page 31: ‘Fan’: Gory, suspense thriller
(Billy Graham movie review of “The Fan”)

June 20, 1981
page 32: Paramount gets ‘Evita’ world wide film rights

August 22, 1981
page 28: Flick on U.S. nine wise men
(Billy Graham movie review of “First Monday in October”)

October 3, 1981
page 37: ‘Carbon Copy’: Denzel Washington imprint
(Billy Graham movie review)

October 17, 1981
page 38: Silvera Writers Workshop opens season
By Billy Graham

October 24, 1981
page 30: Billy Graham scripts the Adam
On Monday evening, October 26th, at 7:30 p.m., the Frank Silvera Writers’ Workshop will be presenting the first public reading of the new drama, “The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.” by playwright/actor/artist/movie reviewer Billy Graham.

The play deals with the 1967 special elect committee of the House of Representatives and their investigations on the matter of denying Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. his seat in the 90th Congress as well as denial of his right to represent the people of his New York and Harlem district. Powell had been charged with misappropriating the funds of his committee on Education and Labor and retaining his estranged wife Yvette Diago Powell on the Congressional payroll while she was in Puerto Rico instead of performing her duties in Washington, D.C.

Powell’s problems exploded through the headlines when he called a Harlem widow a “bag lady” and she sued him.

The play is based on official Congressional records and articles published in various national and world-wide magazines as well as information gathered from the book “The Powell Affair, Freedom Minus One” by Andy Jacobs.

The reading of this play with an outstanding cast will be directed by Charles Turner. Admission is free at the workshop’s 3rd floor loft, 317 West 125th St.

For further information, call 662-8463/9.

November 21, 1981
page 28: The Pepsi Community Bulletin Board.
Nov. 22
B. G. Enterprises presents the cabarette comedy, “Don’t Step On My Foots,” by Billy Graham, 1 W. 125th St.

page 31: photograph
Nefretete Rasheed may be smiling because she’s the only girl in Billy Graham’s cabarette comedy, “Don’t Step On Mah Foots,” Sun, Nov. 22 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., at One West 125th St. (Poppa Charles’), in the Cabarette Disco Theatre. Starring with the singer-actress are Charles Kashi and Allen Taylor.

December 12, 1981
page 34: ‘Reds’: Colorful, passionate story about American communism
(Billy Graham movie review)

December 25, 1981
page 27: ‘Pennies From Heaven’ is pure gold entertainment
(Billy Graham movie review)

March 27, 1982
page 26: Chuck Norris battles in ‘Silent Rage’
(Billy Graham movie review)

August 14, 1982
page 41: Chemical Bank Applauds Audelco 
Nominees for the 10th Annual Recognition Awards 1981–82 Season
Nominees for Scenic Designer
Billy Graham/Yasmin Dixon/Hermon Futrell for Tut-Ankh-Amen, the Boy King
Audience Development Committee

November 27, 1982
page 29: AUDELCO: Ten years of applauding Black Theatre
When the first Audelco Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre were presented back in 1973 in the small space of the Afro-American Studio for Acting and Speech before an audience of less than 100 people, the purpose was two-fold—to pay tribute to those theatre a artists who had informed, entertained, motivated, provoked and wowed audiences during the 1972–73 theatre season and to provide an opportunity for the gathering of the black theatre clan in an atmosphere of family reunion-like fellowship. Though the attendance at the 18982 Audelco Awards celebration was over 700 people and the space is now the much more spacious Aaron Davis Hall at City College, that purpose has remained the same over the past ten years.

Co-hosts Susan Taylor, editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine and Glynn Turman, a former Audelco Award winner who’s now starring in the drama, “Do Lord Remember Me”, at the American Place Theatre, led the packed house of theatre artists and supporters from the communications, corporate and club world in applauding this year’s winners.. Among those making the excited run to the stage to receive their coveted awards were…Billy Graham, Yasmin Dixon, Hermon Futrell and Wynn Thomas (Tie/Scenic Designer for “Tut-Ankh-Amen, the Boy King” and “Abercrombie Apocalupse” respectively)

National Scene Magazine Supplement
January 1983
(insert; New York Amsterdam News, January 22, 1983)
page 22: AUDELCO Celebrates 10th Year
...Billy Graham/Yasmin Dixon/Hermon Futrell won for scenic design in “Tut-Ankh-Amen, The Boy King.”

January 22, 1983
page 23: 2-column advertisement
“The Breaking by Jacqui Singleton”
set designer, Billy Graham, 1982

January 29, 1983
page 26: 2-column advertisement
“The Breaking by Jacqui Singleton”
set designer, Billy Graham, 1982

February 5, 1983
page 28: 2-column advertisement
“The Breaking by Jacqui Singleton”
set designer, Billy Graham, 1982

March 5, 1983
page 34: May–December tale told on a splendid set
review of “The Breaking by Jacqui Singleton”
…A special salute to set designer Billy Graham, winner of an AUDELCO award last season for his work on Tutankhamon…

March 12, 1983
page 35: 3-column advertisement
“The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.”
By Billy Graham

March 19, 1983
page 11: 2-column advertisement
“The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.”
By Billy Graham

March 26, 1983
page 26: 2-column advertisement
“The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.”
By Billy Graham

April 2, 1983
page 29: 2-column advertisement
“The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.”
By Billy Graham

April 9, 1983
page 29: 2-column advertisement
“The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.”
By Billy Graham

September 10, 1983
page 25: Silvera’s Open House
The Frank Silvera Writers Workshop announces their eleventh annual open house to start off their fall season. Workshop members, poets, writers, artists and friends are welcomed to 317 West 125th Street, Monday Sept. 12th at 7:30.

…As further part of the AUDELCO Black Theatre Festival, last seasons “The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell Jr.” will be performed at City College. It will open Sept. 30th, Oct. 1st and 2nd at the Aranow Theatre 138th St. and Convent Ave.

“The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell Jr.” written by Billy Graham, focuses on the explosive political events of the 1967 House-select committee censure of Harlem’s most famous Congressman, the play nominated for five AUDELCO Awards for best lead actor, best supporting actor, best production, best playwright and best sound design. For more info, call FSWW at 662-8463….

September 17, 1983
page 24: AUDELCO’s 2nd annual Black Theatre Festival
The 2nd Annual Audelco Black Theatre Festival will take place for four consecutive weekends starting Friday, September 23 and closing Sunday, October 16th at CCNY’s Aronow Hall (136th St. & Convent Ave.). According to Vivian Robinson, AUDELCO executive director, it will be a month-long tribute to Black wit, imagery and the Black form expression and will serve as a showcase for outstanding productions of the season.

…“The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.” by Billy Graham, opens Friday, September 30 and is scheduled for Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2. “TRIAL,” directed by Dianne Kirksey, features Timothy Simonson as the legendary Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

September 24, 1983
page 20: 2-column advertisement
“The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.”
By Billy Graham

October 1, 1983
page 28: photograph caption
ADAM AND MRS. — At AUDELCO Festival, opening Sept. 30, will be Mizan Nunes as Mrs. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Timothy Simonson as Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. in ‘The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., by Billy Graham. (Bert Andrews Photo)

page 32: Audelco Festival
The award-winning “The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.” by Billy Graham, a Frank Silvera Writers’ Workshop production presented as part of the Audelco 2nd Annual Black Theatre Festival, will open on Friday, September 30th and run through Sunday, October 2nd at the  newly-built 418-seat Aronow Theatre on the City College Campus at 136th Street and Convent Ave. Performances are scheduled Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

October 22, 1983
page 23: two photographs of cast members
DYNAMIC DEFENSE: Christine Campbell appears as Adam Clayton Powell’s attorney while Timothy Simonson has the title role in “The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.” by Billy Graham, who also designed the sets, Woodie King, Jr. is presenting the Frank Silvera Writers Workshop production for a limited engagement which plays Thursday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances on Sundays at 3 p.m. (Bert Andrews Photos)

AFFECTIONATE ADAM: Eldon Bullock, Mizan Nunes, and Timothy Simonson in a scene from “The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.” which opened a limited engagement at the Henry Street Settlement’s New Federal Theatre, 466 Grand Street, on Thursday evening, October 20, at 7:30 p.m. Written by Billy Graham and directed by Dianne Kirksey, the play focuses on the 1967 Special Select Committee’s investigation into Congressman Powell’s affairs. The setting is being designed by the playwright; the lighting is by Zebedee Collins and the costumes are by Karen Perry.

At New Federal
Billy Graham pens powerful drama on Adam Powell
review of “The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.”

…The production has been skillfully researched and written by a young Black playwright, Billy Graham…

page 28: 2-column advertisement
Red Ant Way presents a Benefit Party
Sunday, Oct. 23rd—7 p.m. to 12 Midnight
at Jazzmania
Featuring…& playwright Billy Graham…

page 29: 2-column advertisement
“The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.”

October 29, 1983
page 27: Theatre briefs
…“The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.” on stage at the Henry Dejur Theater at the Henry Street Playhouse in the Village. It was written by Billy Graham…

November 26, 1983
page 27: Billy Graham has new drama-mystery
Prolific playwright/artist Billy Graham presents a new mystery drama, “Waiting for Joyce Miller,” a work-in-progress reading, featuring Dianne Kirksey and Jerome Preston Bates with Betty Vaughn and Mark Kaplan, at PSW Studios, 243 W. 55th St., Mon., Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m. There’s a $3 admission.

“The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell Jr.,” Graham’s powerful drama on Harlem’s dynamic congressman/preacher leaves the New Federal Theatre for a nationwide tour. Its first stop will be Washington, D.C.

page 31: Jazzmania special
Red-Ant-Way Cabaret will feature Peter J. Fernandez, S. Epatha Merkerson, Ruddy Garner, Harbert Rawlings, Billy Graham, Timothy Graphenreed, staged by Susan Watson, at Jazzmania, 40 W. 27th St., on Sun., Dec. 4, 6 p.m. to 12. Info: 857-1539.

December 3, 1983
page 28: 2-column advertisement
Red Ant Way presents a Benefit Party
Sunday, Oct. 23rd—7 p.m. to 12 Midnight
at Jazzmania
Featuring…& playwright Billy Graham…

January 14, 1984
page 26: photograph
PARTY SCENE—Playwright/artist Billy Graham was the guest of Essence Magazine’s charming Health Guide editor, Jean Perry, at the Magazine’s New Year’s Eve party at JoAnna’s disco/supper club. Graham is currently researching for a project on the upcoming celebration of Martin Luther King’s birthday. (Bert Andrews Photo)

January 12, 1985













(Artist, cartoonist and writer Mel Tapley is profiled here.)

February 9, 1985
page 24: advertisement
Theatre in Progress presents
The Dreams of Dr. King and the Memphis Mission

May 4, 1985
page 32: Fire destroys current home of Theatre In Progress
By Billy Graham

page 47: Billy Graham honored in two cities
Harlem playwright/actor/director Billy Graham has been busy working on a new stage play entitled, “King Spats and the Gorilla Brothers,” a musical comedy which will soon have its first public reading.

His last play, “The Dreams of Dr. King” had a successful four-month extended run at Theatre In Progress, N.Y.C. and is now slated for an Off-Broadway theatre. Meanwhile, his Audelco Award-winning play, “The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.” is presently being performed at The Bushfire Theatre, 2285 52nd Street, in Philadelphia, PA.

On Saturday, May 11th, Graham will be honored for his outstanding achievements in the arts by “Hun-E” Enterprises, which will be celebrating its 19th anniversary and holding its Gold­ en Star Awards ceremony.

An award will be presented to Graham by Rita Hunter, president of “Hun-E” Enterprises, in conjunction with the opening of her new off-off Broadway play, “Reach For The Stars”.

May 25, 1985
page 29: advertisement
Chemical Bank Salutes…Winners All!
A Cabaret Celebration
Featuring
A Galaxy of AUDELCO Award winners in a Spectacular Evening of Entertainment
Billy Graham

June 1, 1985
page 23: advertisement
Chemical Bank Salutes…Winners All!
A Cabaret Celebration
Featuring
A Galaxy of AUDELCO Award winners in a Spectacular Evening of Entertainment
Billy Graham

May 17, 1986
page 28: Billy Graham play re-opens Silvera
Billy Graham playwright/actor/director, is producing again. This time his three-act, four-character mystery drama “Waiting for Joyce Miller” is currently being considered for production. It was first read Mon., Mar. 12th at the Frank Silvera Writers’ Workshop.

Graham’s mood-melding theme of the play is based on the Grammy-award winning song “This Masquerade” (by George Benson) on infidelity, greed and mistrust between best friends and lovers. The play also touches on the Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion and asks the question, “is it a woman’s right or is it murder?”

The reading cast consisted of Carol Mitchell Smith as Joyce Miller with Randy Frazier as her boyfriend and Cyrus Lee Simmons as the vagabond best friend. Betty Vaughn played the staunch mother with Gail Tishchoff as the narrator. Dianne Kirksey skillfully directed the piece before the packed audience....

October 10, 1986
page 29: Graham’s anti-Crack play
Playwright-artist Billy Graham’s latest “Crack, the Ultimate High,” was applauded at PS 28, Tremont and Anthony Aves., Bronx, when it was read by a group of schoolchildren.

Presented by Elvira Lebron, former candidate in the 77th A.D., the 30-minute drama tells about a mother and father whose son is on Crack.

The surprise ending makes this a short play that is tailor-made for churches and community groups fighting the current threat by Crack to our community. For info., call 862-9095.

July 4, 1987
page 26: advertisement for Billy Graham’s “Don’t Step on Mah Foots”

April 9, 1988
page 23 c4: Billy Graham’s ’Just Say No’ wins award
The name Billy Graham on television may mean Rev. Billy Graham, but in New York it is the name of a creative artist whose talents are unlimited, playwright-actor-artist Billy Graham.

The latest product of his fertile imagination, “Just Say No” (to “Crack, the Ultimate High”) a play, has recently received a sizable cash award and a grant from the N.Y. State Division of Substance Abuse Services to tour throughout the N.Y. Board of Education’s Junior High Schools in the Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens area.

Graham, a member of the Negro Ensemble Company’s writers’ workshop (1975–82) and a 1983 Audelco Award-nominated playwright for his “The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.,” wrote “Just Say No” specifically “to be aimed at school children, but I missed having it picked up for a touring grant by the N.Y.C. Dept. of Cultural Affairs’ Arts Connection last year,” says Billy.

But Graham, a writing student of Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Charles Fuller (“A Soldier’s Play”), was fortunate this year when he re-wrote a few lines then changed the title from “Crack; the Ultimate High,” to “Just Say No,” and was ultimately contacted through the networking of Karen Baxter and Pat White of the Frank Silvera Writers’ Workshop (of which Graham is a long-time member) by Ms. Toni Greene and Priscilla Chatman, of Diamond Cut Productions. They submitted Graham’s play, “Just Say No,” to the New York State Division of Substance Abuse.

As a result, Diamond Cut Productions are now the executive producers of Billy Graham’s play and are currently scheduling performances in junior high schools while the actors are in rehearsals at the Drew Hamil­ ton Senior Citizens Community Center at 220 W. 143rd St.

July 9, 1988
page 26: Graham’s anti-drug play ‘Crack down on Crack’ for schools
The Billy Graham Ensemble Company is forming a second touring troupe for another anti-drug play. Thus far, Graham’s first anti-drug play, entitles, “JUSt SAY NO,” has performed before over three-thousand school kids throughout N.Y. City.

…Meanwhile, Graham is busily writing a screenplay entitled “LUCKY ACE,” a tongue-in- cheek action yarn concerning the fictional escapades of a high-living, Black, wealthy Vietnam veteran and Congressional Medal of Honor winner who has cliffhanging adventures after he’s recruited by the C.I.A. to help the U.S. government retrieve the world’s newest ‘Star Wars’ type hand-phaser-pistol before several subversive countries do.

Graham has spoken to his friend Robert Townsend who expressed interest in the script which was originally planned to be sent to Eddie Murphy through Graham’s agents, Diamond Cut Production.

For further information about auditioning for the playwright’s production company (B.G. Enterprises), and auditioning for “CRACK DOWN ON CRACK,” call (212) 907-4599, or 979-0808, or 862-9055.

September 24, 1988
page 30: Billy Graham’s anti-drug reading at NEC
On Mon., Oct. 3rd, at the Negro Ensemble Company’s Theatre Four, at 424 W. 55th St., there will be a reading of playwright/Director Billy Graham’s latest stage play on drugs, “Crack Down on Crack.” There will also be a special reading of a “rappers” play on teenage pregnancy, “Pretty Special and the D.J.’s Rap,” a one-act dramatic musical-comedy.

Both plays were written specifically to be performed before pre-teens and teenagers as well as adults and were designed—dramatically, through theater—to educate children in elementary, junior high and high schools about the perils of unsafe sex, drugs, and certain precautions to take against contracting AIDS.

“Crack Down on Crack” and “Pretty Special and the D.J.’s Rap” will be presented by the playwright as an incentive to State Agencies in New York and Albany, such as the N.Y. State Division of Substance Abuse Services, the N.Y. State Department of Health, and Corporate Services, to sponsor and fund these “made-for-schools” dramas which will serve as educational training and teaching guides.

Graham has also entered “Pretty Special and the D.J.’s  Rap” into the N.Y. Board of Health’s request for the “AIDS Educational Program” which is offering $50,000 to any non-profit community organization willing to reach out and provide basic information about AIDS to individuals (specifically ethnics, Blacks, Hispanics, Haitians) in high risk neighborhoods.

The Dept. of Health has been soliciting proposals with the intent of selecting NPO’s with his educational dramas for community schools.

For auditions for the Billy Graham Ensemble Acting Company, send photos and resumes to B.G. Enterprises, Theatrical & Film Productions, 115 W. 143rd St., NYC 10030.

November 5, 1988
page 29: Billy Graham’s 'Telebrain’ has Los Angeles buzzing
Los Angeles, CA—Billy Graham, playwright/director/actor, with his entourage of actors, Billy Mitchell and Denise DuMaine, all from New York, breezed into Los Angeles, on October 22, like a tornado and captured everyone they came in contact with and virtually swept the town up in their effervescent wake.

...Graham’s “Telebrain,” was selected for the second annual competition held, by the Inner City Cultural Center, in Los Angeles. From the first moment the script for the play arrived at ICCC and was received by the competition’s coordinator, Barbara Barnes, it, as well as its creator, caused excited speculation when it was discovered that Graham’s play was one of the most unusual pieces included in this year’s competition.

From over 2,000 pieces submitted, “Telebrain” not only made it into the first round of the judges decision, it also was selected to be re-performed in the second round of the competitive one-act plays—which are usually selected after several “weeks” of judging nearly a hundred other plays until only 25 have been chosen for the finals.

Well, Graham’s “Telebrain” was selected for the 2nd round “before” the 1st round even began. By virtue of the writing and the story idea, this play is a hands down contender for the finals—which could earn the winning playwright a contract, as a writer, with Warner Brothers motion, pictures. Second prize is $1,000 and third prize is $500....


(Next post on Monday)
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Lettering: Edgar Allan Poe on Autography, Part 2

March 26, 2018, 5:00 am
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Comics: Norman Steinberg, Artist

April 2, 2018, 5:00 am
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Norman Steinberg was born on August 14, 1923, in New York, New York. The birth date is from his grave marker. His birthplace was determined from the census.

In the 1925 New York state census, Steinberg and his parents, Irving and Henrietta, resided in the Bronx at 1696 Bathgate Avenue. Steinberg’s father was a Russian emigrant and salesman.

The 1930 U.S. Federal Census recorded Steinberg, his parents and sister, Charlotte, as Bronx residents at 1729 Fulton Avenue. Steinberg’s father was a manager at “Sheffield”, possibly the milk company.

Brooklyn was the home of the Steinberg family that included another daughter, Edna. They lived at 210 Roebling Street. Steinberg’s father was a retail candy salesman.

Steinberg was eighteen years old when he enlisted in the Army. He was attached to Company C, 2638th Quartermaster Truck Battalion of the Quartermaster Corps according to his military interment record. Steinberg was discharged September 22, 1943.

Joe Sinnott was interviewed in Alter Ego #26, July 2003. Sinnott, a student at the Cartoonists and Illustrators School (School of Visuals Arts), said
…There was an another fellow at the school, Norman Steinberg, who drew horses extremely well. We started doing a lot of the movie western stories for Tom [Gill], who was doing this work for Dell Publications. Tom drew and inked the heads, so it’d look like his work.

Tom was paying us very well, and I was on the G.I. Bill, so I’d been living on a shoestring before I started with him. Working for Tom was great because I was gaining experience. I was still attending school and worked for Tom at nights and weekends. Norman and I went over to Tom’s house on the weekends and worked….
Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999 said Steinberg was associated with the Tom Gill’s studio and was a partner in a studio with Syd Shores and Mort Lawrence. Steinberg’s comic books credits began in 1951.

Steinberg took his life on December 30, 1952. His suicide was reported in the Nassau Review-Star (Freeport, New York), December 31, 1952.
Father Loses Race To Save Son’s Life
A Seaford father lost a race against death yesterday when a Meadowbrook Hospital doctor pronounced his son “dead on arrival.”

Norman Steinberg, 29-year-old comic book artist, died of carbon monoxide poisoning, the physician said.

According to First Precinct, Police, Steinberg’s father, Irving, with whom he lived, discovered his son slumped over the wheel of his car parked in front of their home at 268 Wells [sic] Court at 7 A.M.

Police say the father found a vacuum cleaner hose attached to pipe fumes from the exhaust pipe into the car. He raced to Meadowbrook, steering with his left hand and pumping his son’s arm with his right hand. He had hoped this motion would pump air into his son’s lungs until he got to the hospital.

Police said the artist was broken-hearted over marriage difficulties.

The name of Steinberg’s wife is not known. Steinberg was laid to rest at Long Island National Cemetery.


(Next post on Monday)
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Comics: Al Avison, Artist

April 9, 2018, 5:00 am
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Alfred Dean “Al” Avison was born on July 7, 1920, in Norwalk, Connecticut. The birth information is based on a transcription of Avison’s World War II draft card, at Ancestry.com, which also had his full name. The birth date was the same at the Social Security Death Index.

1920 United States Federal Census
Home: Perry Street, Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut
Name / Age / Occupation
Geo A Avison, 34, illustrator
Edith Dalton Avison, none
Geo Marshall Avison, 10, student
Mildred Leila Avison, 9, student
Anna G Ireland, 35, housekeeper
(census enumerated in January)

1930 United States Federal Census
Home: Riverview Drive RFD. Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut
Name / Age / Occupation
George Avison, 44, illustrator
Edith D Avison, 45, none
G Marshall Avison, 21, none
Mildred L Avison, 19, none
Alfred D Avison, 9, none

Stamford Advocate
(Connecticut)
May 10, 1937
Merrill Business Schools Conduct Festival, Friday
More than 300 students and guests attended the May Night Festival given by the faculty and pupils of the Merrill Business Schools at Hubbards Heights Club on Friday evening…

Guests and Merrill students from New York, Greenwich, Port Chester, Stamford, New Canaan, Ridgefield, the Norwalks, Darien and Wilton attended….
Avison was among the attendees.

New York Sun
June 13, 1938
Prizes Awarded at Pratt Institute
…Scholarships of $50 each, from a fund raised by student entertainments were awarded to seven students in the School of Fine and Applied Arts of Pratt Institute. The winners were chosen by competition. They are Erwin Liebig, architecture; John Shelley, industrial design; Richard Brunell, advertising design; Julius Svendsen, illustrations; Alfred Avison, illustration; Joseph Amisano, architecture; Charles Wagner, advertising design.
1940 United States Federal Census
Home: McKinley Street, Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut
Name / Age / Occupation
George A Avison, 54, artist
Edith Avison, 55, blank
George M Avison, 31, blank
Alfred D Avison, 20, blank

1940 Prattonia
page 54 (slide scroll bar to 56-57): Avison, Alfred Dean, Pic. Ill. III, Rowayton, Conn….Football ’38, ’39, ’40; Basketball ’38, ’39, ’40; Softball ’38, ’39, ’40; Ping Pong ’39, ’40; Social Contact Man; Artsmen Representative.

The New York Times
June 11, 1940
Pratt Institute to Graduate 660
Four Schools of the Brooklyn Institution to Award Diplomas at the Exercises Today
School of Fine and Applied Arts
Certificates
Illustration
Alfred D. Avison
Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999
Comic book career begins in 1940

World War II Army Enlistment Record
Name: Alfred D Avison
Enlistment Date: June 27, 1942
Enlistment Place: New York, New York
Education: 3 years of college
Civil Occupation: Commercial artists

Rome Sentinel
(New York)
September 17, 1945
Map Program to Deflate Japanese Ego
MacArthur Institutes Measures Designed to Emphasize Defeat
TOKYO—(AP)—Gen. MacArthur instituted today a broad American information program to convince every Japanese of the empire's defeat, of its war guilt, to eleminate [sic] militarism and to encourage democratic principles.

The direct information program will employ the Japanese press, radio and schools.

The Army forces in the Pacific Psychological Warfare Branch has been converted into an “information dissemination section” [IDS] under Brig. Gen. Bonner F. Feller, MacArthur’s military secretary.

…At the outset the information dissemination section will operate through the Japanese Board of Information, contacting representatives of Japanese publications, radio, movie distributors and schools.

…The planning group os headed by Capt. Arthur Behrsock, former Chicago newspaperman.

The IDS staff, in charge of the various departments, will be:
Education—Maj. Harold G. Henderson, on leave from Columbia University.
Movies—Robert Perkins, OWI who was born in Japan.
Chief of Releases—-Capt. Donald F. McCammon, formerly with the United Press in Chicago.
Radio—Capt. William Roth. Helena. Mont.
Pictures and Art—Lt. Alfred D. Avison, Norwalk, Conn.
Magazines—Capt. John R. Kennedy, Washington, D. C.
Nisei and Japanese Employees—Lt. Taro Tsukahara, San Francisco.
OWI Representatives—Bradford Smith chief of the OWI in Japan who spent five years here as a teacher and writer and served with the OWI at Honolulu; and David Conde….
Avison passed away December 30, 1984, in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Connecticut Death Index
Name: Alfred D Avison
Occupation: President
Industry: Avison Associates [advertising studio in New York]
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: July 7, 1920
Birth Place: Connecticut
Address: Homewood Lane
Residence: Darien, Connecticut
Death Date: December 30, 1984
Death Place: Norwalk, Connecticut
Age: 64 Years
Spouse: Marga
Father's Surname: Avison

Further Reading
The Scudder Association
Grand Comics Database
Timely-Atlas-Comics
Allen Bellman: The Interview
Michael J. Vassallo: What about Al Avison and Al Gabrielle?
Allen Bellman: They weren’t on staff when I was there. Either they predated me, were freelancers or worked strictly for Funnies Inc. and bypassed the staff completely in which case I would have likely missed them.

(Next post on Monday: )
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Comics: Victor S. Fox, Businessman and Publisher

April 16, 2018, 5:00 am
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Victor Samuel Fox was born on April 13, 1893 in Nottinghamshire, England. Birth information is based on Fox’s World War I and II draft cards, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry (volumes 7 and 9) and death certificate. The 1900 U.S. Federal Census had April 1893 as Fox’s birth month and year. However, Fox’s New York, World War I military service card had March 23, 1893 as his birth date. A third birth date, July 3, 1893, has been given by other publications and websites.

Fox’s World War II draft card had his full name as “Victor Samuel Fox”. In the 1900 census, Fox’s name was recorded as “Samuel V J Fox”. The initial J was for Joseph according to some publications and websites.

Census, military, naturalization, marriage and travel information are from Ancestry.com.


1900 United States Federal Census
Home: 129 County Street, Fall River, Massachusetts
Household Members
Name / Age
Joseph Fox, 35; born in Russia; store keeper
Bessie Fox, 37; born in Russia
Annie Fox, 16; born in Russia
Rosie Fox, 15; born in Russia
Fanny E Fox, 8; born in England
Samuel V J Fox, 7; born in England
Etta Fox, 2; born in Massachusetts
Marion Fox, 1 month; born in Massachusetts

Massachusetts, State and Federal Naturalization Records
Name: Joseph Fox
Address: 34 Ninth Street, Fall River, Massachusetts
Occupation: Peddler
Petition Age: 39
Record Type: Petition
Birth Date: May 16, 1864
Birth Place: Lubek, Novigrodac, Russia
Arrival Date: August 1, 1896
Arrival Place: New York City
Petition Date: November 9, 1900
Petition Place: Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA
Naturalization Date: April 21, 1904 (Victor S. Fox and his foreign-born siblings became naturalized Americans.)

1910 United States Federal Census
Home: 609 Cherry Street, Fall River, Massachusetts
Household Members
Name / Age
Joseph Fox, 44; merchant/cloak store
Bessie Fox, 48
Rosie Fox, 22
Frances Fox, 18
Victor Fox, 17
Etta Fox, 12
Marion Fox, 09

1915 New York State Census
Home: 555 West 151 Street, New York, New York
Household Members:
Name / Age
Joseph Fox, 48; cloak and suit retailer
Bessie Fox, 47
Anna L Fox, 26
Frances E Fox, 22
Jeanette Fox, 17
Marian G Fox, 15
(Victor S. Fox not found in state census)

The New York Times
February 24, 1916
New Incorporations
Albany, N.Y., Feb. 23.—Harry T. Johnson, Inc., ladies’ ready-to-wear apparel, $10,000; E. Goodman, V.S. Fox, H.T. Johnson, Hotel McAlpin.
The New York Times
August 16, 1916
New Incorporations.
Albany, August 15.—Thirty corporations were chartered today, with an aggregate capital stock of $396,309. They include:
Fox Costumes, Inc., theatrical costumes, theatrical, vaudeville enterprises, $5,000; L. J. Jacoves, A. L. and V. S. Fox, 555 W. 151st St.
The New York Clipper
August 26, 1916
Fox Costumes, Inc., theatrical costumes, theatrical, vaudeville enterprises, incorporated at Albany, Aug. 15, for $5,000. L. J. Jacoves, A. L. and V. S. Fox.
The New York Dramatic Mirror
September 2, 1916
New Incorporations
Albany, N. Y. (Special).—The following theatrical concerns were incorporated here last week:Fox Costumes, Inc., New York City, To deal in theatrical and vaudeville enterprises, and the manufacture of theatrical costumes. Capital, $5,000. Directors, Anna L. Fox, Victor S. Fox, and Louis J. Jacoves, 198 Broadway. New York city.














Variety
October 6, 1916
Fox Costumes Inc. advertisement

Variety
October 20, 1916
Fox Costumes Inc. advertisement

The New York Times
February 17, 1917
Business Records
Judgments.
The following judgments were filed yesterday, the first name being that of the debtor:
In New York County.
Amounts of $100 and over.
Fox, Victor S.—S.C. Lavin…$321.95

The New York Times
November 1, 1917
Business Records
Judgments.
The following judgments were filed yesterday, the first name being that of the debtor:
In New York County.
(Amounts of $100 and over.)
World Costume Corp. and Victor S. Fox—M.I. Eisfeldt…$105.35

World War I Draft Card
Name: Victor S Fox
Birth Date: April 13, 1893
Birth Place: Nottinghamshire, England
Street Address: 555 West 151 Street, Manhattan, New York, New York
Occupation: Manufacturer Military Uniforms
Employer: World Costume Corporation, 42 East 20 Street, New York, New York
Physical Build: Stout
Height: Medium
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Gray
Signature: June 5, 1918

New York, World War I Military Service Card
Name: Victor S Fox
Birth Place: England
Birth Date: March 23, 1893
Service Start Date: July 26, 1918
Service Start Place: New York City, New York
Assignment: Engineering Training Regiment Camp, Humphreys, Virginia
Grade: Private
Discharge Date: December 24, 1918

1920 United States Federal Census
Home: 555 West 151st Street, Manhattan, New York, New York
Household Members
Name / Age
Joseph Fox, 55
Bessie Fox, 58
Anna L Fox, 32
Rose S Fox, 30
Frances E Fox, 26
Victor S Fox, 25; exporter/general merchandise
Etta J Fox, 21
Marion Y Fox, 19

Port of New York Annual
Alexander Rogers Smith
Smith’s Port Publishing Company, Inc., 1920 
Shipping Agents
Fox, Victor S. & Co., 47 Broadway.
The New York Times
April 11, 1920
Ship for Hamburg Route.
Consolidated Maritime Line Here Buys Former Austrian Steamer.
[Victor S. Fox of Consolidated Maritime Line]
The New York Times
April 21, 1920
$10,813,130 for 23 Ships.
Board Announces Receipts from Sale of Former German Vessels.
[Victor S. Fox & Co. Association purchased nine vessels: Arapahoe for $165,000; Armenia for $864,375; Chillicothe for $192,500; Ceosa for $262,500; Osadomia for $690,000; Monongahela for $228,250; Moshulu for $272,250; Muscoota for $206,250; and Tonawanda for $156,585.]
The New York Times
April 21, 1920
V.S. Fox Gets Coal Tract
Purchase Disclosed Through Incorporation of New Company
[Victor S. Fox and Associates incorporated the Crystal Coal Corporation in Delaware and purchased coal acreage in Virginia to fuel its ships.]
New York Tribune
June 29, 1920
Business Troubles
Satisfied Judgments.
The first name is that of the debtor, the second that of the creditor and date when judgment was filed:
Fox, Victor S.—H. L. Oppenheim et al; July 25, 1917…$295.74
Same—Same; July 25, 1917…$164.85
World Costume Corporation and Victor S. Fox—M. I. Eisfeldt; Oct. 31, 1917…$321.90
Fox, Victor S. and David Galway—H. Little; Oct. 17, 1917…$133.21
New York Tribune
August 25, 1920
Business Troubles
Satisfied Judgments.
In New York County
The following judgments were filed yesterday, the first name being that of the debtor:
Fox, Victor S., and David Galway—A.E. Alloy; October 16, 1919…$165.55
Fox Costumes, Co., Inc.—Siegman & Well; June 19, 1917…$333.23
Fox Costumes, Co., Inc., —N.Y. Telephone Co.; Jan. 29, 1918…$391.38
The New York Times
October 1, 1920
Inquiry Under Way on Fox Ship Sale
Federal Officials at Work Following Purchase of Shipping Board Vessels.
Interest was caused in shipping circles yesterday by the report that Federal authorities were investigating certain phases of the purchase of a number of steamships by Victor S. Fox & Co., Incorporated, and the Consolidated Maritime Lines, Incorporated, of 47 Broadway….
The New York Times
October 3, 1920
Halted in Stock Sales.
Allied Capital Corporation Enjoined on Prosecutor’s Plea.
The Allied Capital Corporation and two of its officers, John A. Sacks, president, and Victor S. Fox, a director, were temporarily enjoined yesterday from continuing sales of securities by an order signed by Supreme Court Justice May in Brooklyn…
The New York Times
October 4, 1920
Recall Board Ships from Fox’s Control
Washington, Oct. 3.—Control of twelve Shipping Board vessels, valued at more than $6,500,000, obtained by Victor S. Fox of New York on the partial payment plan, has been withdrawn….

…it was understood that a receiver had been appointed for the Victor Fox, Inc., the Consolidated Maritime Lines, Inc., and other steamship lines of which Fox is President….
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
October 6, 1920
Indict Steamship Men
The New York Times
October 6, 1920
Two Fox Officials Indicted for Fraud
Federal Jury Holds President and Treasurer for Deal with Shipping Board.
False Vouchers Charged
Victor S. Fox, President, and William H. Kaiser, Treasurer, of Victor S. Fox & Co., Inc., were indicted yesterday by the Federal Grand Jury on a charge of attempting to defraud the United States Shipping Board by presenting accounts and vouchers….

…It is charged in the indictment that on Aug. 11, 1920, the defendants, “for the purpose and with the intent of cheating, swindling and defrauding the Government of the United States and the United States Shipping Board,” made a false account and certificate….

…Fox was held in $10,000 in bail and Kaiser in $7,500.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
October 7, 1920
Bankruptcy Forced on Fox, 13 S. S. Cos.
The New York Times
October 8, 1920
Receiver for Fox Company
An involuntary petition in bankruptcy was filed in the Federal Court yesterday against the Victor S. Fox Company, Inc., of 47 Broadway, by three creditors….The Fox Company and its affiliated concerns consented to the decree….
Nauticus
October 16, 1920
Legal Notices
Suits
Victor S. Fox, 47 Broadway, $1,236.16 claimed by Gordon Beattie for wages as master of s.s. Isonomia (U.S. Dis. Ct., S.D., N.Y.).
Shipping Board Operations
Hearings Before Select Committee on U.S. Shipping Board Operations
House of Representatives
Sixty-sixth Congress, Third Session, Part 11
U.S. Government Printing Office, 1921
Bulletin, Friday, January 21.
[Public Notices.]
Notice to Creditors of Victor S. Fox and Company, Inc., States Steamship Corporation, American Merchant Marines, Inc., Atlantic Adriatic Steamship Corporation, French American Line, Inc., Standard Steamship Company, Inc., International Maritime Corporation, Italian Star Line, Inc., and all Allied Lines of the Above Named.
The New York Herald
March 14, 1921
Ship and Sail under the Stars and Stripes
Keep our ships on the Seven Seas
United States Shipping Board Services
Operators
49 Fox, Victor S., & Co. 47 B’way, N.Y. Wh. 1950
New York Tribune
March 18, 1921
Shipping Companies and Agents Addresses and Telephone Numbers
Fox, Victor S. & Co. (U.S.S.B.)
47 B’way, N.Y. Whitehall 1950
American Industries
April 1921
49 Fox, Victor S., & Co.Geo. W. Sterling, Rec’ver47 B’way, N.Y. Wh. 1950
The New York Herald
April 11, 1921
Keep our Ships on the Seven Seas under the Stars and Stripes
United States Shipping Board Services
To All Parts of the World
49 Fox, Victor S., & Co.
Geo. W. Sterling, Rec’ver
47 B’way, N.Y. Wh. 1950
Harper’s Magazine
May 1921
Fox, Victor S., & Co., N. Y.

The New York Times
May 17, 1921
Misuse of Office Denied by Conrad
Shipping Board Counsel Says He Did Not Exercise Influence in Receiverships.
…Victor S. Fox of Victor S. Fox & Co., 47 Broadway, one of the thirty-nine principal and subsidiary shipping companies under receivership in this district, said that he could give important information concerning Mr. Conrad, Mr. Nicoll and Mr. Carson, if called to testify. Mr. Fox added that the indictment against his firm, now pending in the United Stated District Court, was the result of the activities of men who are now facing an inquiry themselves.
Coal Review
May 18, 1921
49 Fox, Victor S., & Co.
Geo. W. Sterling, Rec’ver
47 B’way, N.Y. Wh. 1950

The Marine Journal
October 29, 1921
One Receiver named for Many Ship Companies
Receivership for twenty-nine steamship companies, formerly arranged in seven groups in as many separate appointments, is now united, with James G. Graham, 11 Broadway, named by Judge Julius M. May of the United States District Court as receiver. The unification of receivership has been ordered in an attempt to save unnecessary expense and to simplify litigation in which the United States Government, through the Shipping Board, is the principal complainant and largest creditor. Mr. Graham succeeds Shipping Board officials previously appointed.

Notices to creditors have been published asking that all file their claims with the new receiver. John G. Pore, 11 Broadway, is Mr. Graham’s attorney….

The defendant companies named are:

…Consolidated Maritime Lines, Victor S. Fox & Co., Tonowanda Navigation Company, Muscoota Navigation Company, Moshulu Navigation Company, Monongahela Navigation Company, Chillicothe Navigation Company, Arapahoe Navigation Company, Mount Shasta Navigation Company, Jeanette Steamship Company, Isonomia Steamship Company, Coosa Steamship Company, Castlewood Steamship Company and Armenia Steamship Company.
Shipping
November 10, 1921
Shipping Legal Record
(same text as The Marine Journal)

New York Tribune
May 14, 1922
The Fate of American Merchant Marine Is in the Balance
…Victor S. Fox, a theatrical costumer, began business on a shoe string, and for a time had hopes of making himself a figure in the steamship world. He bought ships at ten per cent cash and expected to pay off the remainder from current earnings. Unfortunately he went in on the ebb tide, which soon left him stranded on the sand.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
February 24, 1924
To Start S. S. Line
The steamer City of Seattle which is due in New York from Jacksonville, Fla., tomorrow morning, will be the first boat to sail under the New York-Atlantic City Steamship Line, next month, according to Victor S. Fox, president of the new corporation….
The Evening Star
(Peekskill, New York)
August 21, 1924
New Night Line Now Operating on River
Victor S. Fox. president of the New York-Atlantic City Steamship Co., and his associates in the New York, Albany and Western Steamship Co., started a new service from New York to Albany and Troy, beginning Wednesday with the departure of the steamship, Lancaster, from Pier 46, North River. Sailings will be maintained every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Mr. Fox says that other ships probably will be added later. Associated with him is H A. Lamb, as vice-president and general manager.

The Lancaster was formerly operated from Baltimore on the Chesapeake. Mr. Fox announced that the fare will be $1 and the rates will range from 75 cents for berths to $5 for staterooms. The ship has accommodations for 400 passengers. The dining service will be cafeteria style.
United States Investor
October 25, 1924
Financial Inquiries
New York & Atlantic City Steamship Co.
41732. (Buffalo, N. Y.) Will you kindly favor us with an expression of your judgment relative to New York Atlantic City Steamship Company, whose address Is Pier 12, East River, New York? A client of ours who has made an investment In the company is desirous of securing some information concerning the stability and the possibility of the stock in the above company.

Ans.: We are not favorably Impressed with the line-up of the New York and Atlantic City Steamship Co., which has moved its headquarters from Pier 12, East River, New York, to 82 Wall Street, New York. Stock in the company was sold by the [missing text]
1925 New York, New York, City Directory
Name: Victor S Fox
Street address: 82 Wall R305
Occupation: President, NY & Atlantic City Steamship Co

1925 New York State Census
Home: 514 West 114th Street, Manhattan, New York, New York
Household Members
Name / Age
Joseph Fox, 61; merchant
Bessie Fox, 63
Marian Fox, 22; stenographer
Josephine Verderber, 24; maid
(Victor S. Fox not found in state census)

The New York Times
December 23, 1925
Business Records
Judgments.
Filed yesterday, the first name being that of the debtor:
In New York County.
Fox, Victor S.—Longacre Bank...$4,312.10

Massachusetts Reports, Volume 256
Decisions Supreme Judicial Court
1926
Victor S. Fox and Company

Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: February 11, 1928
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida
Ship: Iroquois

Florida, Passenger ListName: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: February 17, 1929
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida

The New York Times
May 17, 1929
Tuttle ‘Coup’ Ends Tipster Concern
…Victor S. Fox of the Allied Capital Corporation, 49 Broadway and 331 Madison Avenue, was arraigned yesterday before United States Commissioner A. O’Neill and held in $7,500 bail on a charge of using the mails to defraud….Fox, according to the prosecutor, operated a “sell and switch” stock concern. He said Fox also had a desk room at 230 Park Avenue as “Fox Motor and Bank Stocks, Inc.,” and as “American Common Stocks, Inc.”…Fox was arrested yesterday.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
September 5, 1929
First Financial “Speakeasy” Trial in Crusade Opens
…Victor S. Fox of the Allied Capital Corporation of 49 Broadway and 331 Madison ave., was arraigned and held in $7,500 bail on a mail fraud charge….
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
September 6, 1929
Ford Stock Firm Banned by Court
…a temporary injunction restraining the Allied Capital Corporation and Victor S. Fox from doing further business. It is charged that they accepted money from investors for foreign Ford stock and failed to deliver the stock….
The New York Times
November 28, 1929
4 Indicted in Stock Sales.
Mail Frauds Charged to Group That Dealt in Ford of France.
The Federal grand jury late yesterday indicted Victor S. Fox, Fred H. Hallen, I. Lloyd Zimmer and William McManus on a charge of using the mails to defraud in connection with their stock-selling activities for the Allied Capital Corporation at 300 and 331 Madison Avenue and 49 Broadway….
New York Legislative Documents
J.B. Lyon Company, 1930
The Allied Capital Corporation was another pretentious enterprise of this kind. Its principal, Victor S. Fox, is now being held under a charge of larceny.
Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox [name crossed out]
Arrival Date: February 8, 1930
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida
Ship: Evangeline

Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: January 3, 1931
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: November 29, 1931
Port of Departure: New York, New York
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Ship Name: Paris

Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: February 25, 1934
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida

Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: January 5, 1936
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida

Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: February 10, 1936
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida

Miami Herald
(Florida)
May 17, 1936











Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Place: March 1, 1937
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida

The New York Times
October 28, 1938
Business Records
Judgments.
The following judgments were filed yesterday, the first name being that of the debtor:
In New York County.
Tax Commission:
…Fox, Victor S., $390.92
New York Post
December 29, 1938
The Stars vs. McKesson & Robbins
World Astrology Magazine, for January, 1939, recommends purchase of McKesson & Robbins securities.

Victor S. Fox, editor of the magazine, was called before Assistant Attorney General McCall of New York State to explain. Fox said McKesson & Robbins was included under the “armament group,” and that since January looked like a good month for armament stocks. World Astrology recommended it.

This untoward event and its even more un toward explanation need not cause loss of astrological faith, however. It may be an astrological phenomenon in reverse.

The McKesson & Robbins investors undoubtedly will see stars on the next dividend date.
Fox Feature Syndicate’s first comic book was Wonder Comics, #1, May 1939, which featured Wonder Man.  On the third issue, Wonder Comics was retitled Wonderworld Comics. 

Stripper’s Guide
1939 Fox Feature Syndicate Advertising Campaign

Stripper’s Guide
1940 Fox Feature Syndicate Advertising Campaign

The New York Times
February 1, 1940
Business Records
Satisfied Judgments
The first name is that of the debtor, the second that of the creditor and the date when judgment was filed:
In New York County
Fox, Victor S.—State Tax Comm., Oct. 27, 1939…309.92
Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: March 6, 1940
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida

1940 United States Federal Census
Home: 142 East 49 Street, New York, New York
Citizenship: Naturalized
Occupation: Publisher
Industry: Magazine
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 1st year
Class of Worker: Working on own account
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 1000
Income Other Sources: Yes
Household Members
Name / Age
Victor Fox, 45

Broadcasting
April 15, 1940
N. Elliott Stuckel, for nine years with CBS, has been named director of the promotion division of Fox Feature Syndicate, according to an announcement by Victor S. Fox, president. Mr. Stuckel will handle radio, newspaper and merchandising contacts.
Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: March 1, 1941
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida

World War II Draft Card
Name: Victor Samuel Fox
Residence Place: New York, New York, USA
Residence Address: 142 East 49th Street
Age: 49
Birth Date: April 13, 1893
Birth Place: Nottingham, England
Employer Name and Address: Self, 247 Park Avenue, New York, New York
Height: 5’ 3”
Weight: 178 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Signature: April 26, 1942

Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office
November 1942
List of Patentees to Whom Patents Were Issued on the 3d Day of November, 1942
Fox, Victor S., New York, and R.W. Farrell, Bronx, N.Y., said Fox assignor, by mesne assignments, to said Farrell, Optical projector. 2,301,114; Nov. 3.
New York City, Marriage Indexes
Name: Victor S. Fox
Marriage Date: August 7, 1943
Marriage Place: Queens, New York City, New York
Spouse: Carolyne Marion Bellvage [spelled Caroline Balevich on Fox’s death certificate]

Long Island Daily Press
(Jamaica, New York)
August 13, 1943
Marriage Licenses
Fox-Bellvage—Victor Fox, 50, of Manhattan, and Carolyne Bellvage, 36, of 84-46 Smedley street, Jamaica.































The New York Times
November 7, 1944
Gould Court Hears of Contract Fund
Testimony that a special account to pay Army contract officers for aid in obtaining Government war business had been set up by the Cornwall Shipbuilding Company, was given yesterday by Victor S. Fox, a former partner of the company, at the general court-martial of Capt. Joseph (Joe) Gould, former prize fight manager until he entered the Army Transportation Corps two years ago….
The New York Times
November 14, 1944
Army Court Finds Joe Gould Guilty
…Named by the trial judge advocate as co-conspirators were the Cornwall Shipbuilding Company of cornwall Landing, N.Y., and its three partners, Milton A. Henry, Victor Fox and Henry Glassgold, and in summing up for the prosecution Assistant Trial Judge Advocate Lieut. Kenneth F. Graf described them as “nothing more than a gang of modern buccaneers, who took to fighting among themselves over the division of the spoils.”
The New York Times
December 21, 1944
Not Involved in Plot
…The attention of The Times has now been called to the fact that Victor Fox was not named as a co-conspirator. Mr. Fox, who was a witness for the Government, testified that he sold his interest in the company as soon as he learned of the contract involved in the proceeding.

The Times is glad to take this opportunity of expressing its regret for the error.
1945 New York, New York, City Directory
Name: Victor S Fox
Street address: b 60E42

1946 New York, New York, City Directory
Name: Victor S Fox
Street address: b 60E42

The New York Times
May 29, 1946
Four Apartments in Broadway Deal
Victor S. Fox, magazine publisher, has purchased for occupancy from Mrs. Amy E. Wing the five-story dwelling at 59 East Eighty-second Street. The property occupies a lot 18 by 100 feet and is assessed at $40,000….
New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Fox
Address: 142 East 49th Street, New York
Arrival Date: June 5, 1946
Occupation: Publisher
Port of Departure: Bermuda
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Airline: Pan American Airways

The New York Times
July 15, 1946
Manhattan Transfers
82d St, 59 E; Amy E. Wing to Victor S. Fox, 59 R. 82d St; mtg $15,000 ($41.25)

Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: January 1, 1947
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida
Airline: National Airlines

The New York Times
October 23, 1947
Comics Group Buys Paper Mill
Potsdam Paper Mills, Inc., of Potsdam, N.Y., on the Racquette River, has been acquired by a syndicate headed by Victor S. Fox, president of Fox Feature Syndicate, Inc., publisher of comic magazines, and Central Color Press, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., printer of such magazines, it was announced yesterday. The purchase, Mr. Fox said, gives his group a completely integrated operation.
Rome Daily Sentinel
(New York)
October 24, 1947
Potsdam Paper Co. Sold to Syndicate
New York—(AP)—Potsdam Paper Mills of Potsdam, N.Y., have been sold to a syndicate headed by Victor S. Fox, New York comic magazine publisher.

The price was not disclosed in the company’s announcement yesterday.

Fox is president of Fox Feature Syndicate, Inc.

The Potsdam plant manufactures newsprint and cover stock, chiefly from reclaimed waste from the binding operations of the Central Color Press, Inc., at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Additional machinery and equipment are being installed.

Roland I. Mead has been named mill manager. He formerly was consulting engineer with American Industrial Company.
1948 New York, New York, City Directory
Name: Victor S FoxStreet address: b 60E42

Florida, Passenger Lists
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: February 22, 1948
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida
Airline: Pan American

1949 New York, New York, City Directory
Name: Victor S Fox
Street address: b 60E42

Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Departure Place: Marseille, France
Arrival Date: October 29, 1949
Arrival Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Airline: Pan American Airways

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Fox
Address: 142 E 49th St., NY
Arrival Date: October 30, 1949
Port of Departure: Lisbon, Portugal
Port of Arrival: LaGuardia Airport, New York, New York
Airline: Pan American Airways

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Fox
Arrival Date: 7 Jan 1951
Place of Origin: New York
Port of Departure: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Airline: Pan American Airways

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: July 1, 1951
Port of Departure: New York, New York
Port of Arrival: London, England
Airline: Trans World Airlines
Flight Number: 960-1

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Fox
Arrival Date: July 8, 1951
Port of Departure: Paris, France
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Airline: Trans World Airlines

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Fox
Departure Date: May 12, 1953
Departure Place: New York, New York, USA
Airline: Trans World Airlines, Inc.
Flight Number: 968/12

Who’s Who in Finance and Industry
Volume 7
Marquis-Who’s Who, 1953
FOX, Victor Samuel, publisher; b. Nottingham. Eng., Apr 13, 1893: s. Joseph and Betsy (Duschae) F.: came to U.S., 1898, naturalized, 1904: grad. B.M.C. Durfee High Sch., Fall River, Mass., 1911; m. Carolyne Bellvage, Aug. 8, 1943: 1 dau. Victoria Ann. Pres. and chmn. bd. Consolidated Maritime Lines. Inc, shipbuilders and operators, 1919-22: Industrial engr., adviser on reorganizations to large corporations. 1922-35; chmn. and pres. Fox Feature Syndicate, Inc., New York, N.Y., also 10 affiliated companies, since 1935; president Central Color Press, Incorporated, publication printers, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.: pub. 20 monthly newsstand mags.; creator and owner of 119 comic feature characters appearing in Magazines and newspapers throughout the world. Home: Palmer Hill Rd., Greenwich, Conn. Office: 60 E. 42d St., N.Y. City 17.
New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Fox
Arrival Date: July 29, 1953
Port of Departure: Geneva, Switzerland
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Airline: Trans World Airlines

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Fox
Departure Date: May 20, 1954
Departure Place: New York, New York, USA
Airline: Trans World Airlines, Inc.
Flight Number: 962/20

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Fox
Arrival Date: June 29, 1954
Port of Departure: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Airline: Pan American Airways

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Fox
Arrival Date: July 26, 1954
Port of Departure: Zurich
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Airline: Trans World Airlines

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Samuel Fox
Arrival Date: September 26, 1954
Port of Departure: Mexico
Port of Arrival: Idlewild Airport, New York
Airline: Air France

Who’s Who in Finance and Industry
Volume 9
Marquis-Who’s Who, 1955
page 374: (same as volume 7)

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Fox
Arrival Date: May 16, 1955
Port of Departure: London, England
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Airline: Pan American Airways
Flight Number: PA 74/16

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor Fox
Arrival Date: July 2, 1955
Port of Departure: Zurich, Switzerland
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Airline: Swiss Air

Who’s Who in Commerce and Finance
Volume 10
Marquis-Who’s Who, 1957
FOX, Victor Samuel, pres. Key Industries. Inc.. Renard Investments, Ltd. Address: 142 E. 49 St., N.Y.C. 17.
Florida, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Place: April 5, 1957
Arrival Place: Miami, Florida
Airline: British Overseas Airways Corporation

New York, Passenger List
Name: Victor S Fox
Arrival Date: April 7, 1957
Port of Departure: Nassau, Bahamas
Port of Arrival: Idlewild Airport, New York
Airline: Pan American Airways

The New York Times
July 6, 1957
Deaths
Fox—Victor S.
With profound sorrow we announce the passing of our believed fellow member, Victor S. Fox.National Democratic Club.
Carmine G DeSapio, President,
Thomas A. Lenane, Secretary.
Connecticut Death Index
Name: Victor S Fox
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: April 13, 1893
Residence: Greenwich, Fairfield, Connecticut
Death Date: July 3, 1957
Death Place: Greenwich, Fairfield, Connecticut
Age: 64 Years
Father: Joseph Fox
Mother: Bessie Duchefsky

Social Security Applications and Claims Index
Name: Victor Samuel Fox
Birth Date: April 13, 1893
Death Date: July 3, 1957
Claim Date: August 6, 1957
SSN: 093166348

According to the death certificate, Fox was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery. In response to an email request, Woodlawn Cemetery provided the location: Arbutus plot, section 184, lot 16592.

Find a Grave
Fox’s death information is incorrect.

Social Security Death Index
Wife: Carolyne B. Fox, December 12, 1906 – February 12, 1995
Daughter: Victoria A. Fox, August 21, 1944 – December 5, 2002


Further Reading
Alter Ego #101, May 2011

The Phantom Lady Archives
Volume 2: The Fox Years, 1947 to 1949
Extras

The Blue Beetle Companion: His Many Lives from 1939 to Today
Christopher Irving
TwoMorrows Publishing, 2007

The Comics Detective
DC vs Victor Fox

Field Guide to Wild American Pulp Artist
Excellent profile but date of death is incorrect.


(Next post on Monday)
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Comics: Henri A. Fluchere, National Comics Production Manager

April 23, 2018, 5:00 am
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Henri Andre Fluchere was born July 31, 1914 in Marseille, France, according to his Petition for Naturalization at Ancestry.com. On November 11, 1925, Fluchere, his parents, Armand and Emma, and sister, Odette, sailed aboard the S.S. Aquitania from Cherbourg, France. They arrived in the port of New York City on November 27.

1930 U.S. Federal Census
Home: 166 South Street, Quincy, Massachusetts
Name / Age / Occupation
Armand Fluchere, 46, draftsman/shipyard
Emma Fluchere, 37, blank
Henri Fluchere, 15, blank
Odette Fluchere, 10, blank

Something About the Author, Volume 40 (1985) profiled Fluchere and said he attended Brooklyn College from 1933 to 1935, then City College from 1935 to 1936.

Fluchere filed a Petition for Naturalization on September 1, 1936. Fluchere stated that he had resided in New York County since June 30, 1933. His occupation was commercial artist and residence at 234 West 22nd Street, New York City. Fluchere was naturalized on December 23, 1940.

1940 U.S. Federal Census
Home: 234 West 22nd Street, New York, New York
Name / Age / Occupation
Armand Fluchere, 54, draftsman/building concern
Emma Fluchere, 47, blank
Henry Fluchere, 25, new worker
Odette Fluchere, 24, blank
(The census was enumerated in April.)

Manhattan, New York City telephone directories, from 1942 to 1946, listed Fluchere at 125 West 58th Street.

Fluchere enlisted in the army on April 28, 1942. According to Fluchere’s son, Michael, his father served in the “Military Intelligence as an Interpreter (French) as a Master Sergeant with the 28th Infantry Division. After the 28th Infantry Division crossed the Rhine River into Germany, his services were no longer needed and he was reassigned to The Stars and Stripes Newspaper in Paris as an illustrator and artist. After returning from World War II, he worked for Superman Magazine as an illustrator.” Something About the Author said Fluchere received the Purple Heart. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, Fluchere was discharged December 11, 1945.

According to Something About the Author, Fluchere married Ruth Allen in 1944. They divorced January 1946. Fluchere married Maud Elliot Hall (a musician) on September 4, 1946. Earlier, the Philadelphia Inquirer, May 3, 1946, published the engagement announcement. On August 2, 1946, the Inquirer reported the upcoming September wedding. A full account of the marriage appeared in the Inquirer on September 5, 1946.
Maud Elliott Hall Is Bride of Henri A. Fluchere
The Swarthmore Presbyterian Church formed the setting for an attractive wedding yesterday, when Maud Elliott Hall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Howe Hall, became the bride of Henri A. Fluchere, son of Mr. and Mrs. Armand Fluchere, of New York.

The ceremony was solemnized at half after two o'clock, with Rev. David Braun officiating.

The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, wore a period sown of ivory tone slipper satin, the model featuring a square neckline, with short sleeves and a train suspended from the shoulders. The gown was trimmed with heirloom duchess lace. Her tulle veil fell from a lace cap which had been worn by her great-grandmother, the late Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, and she carried a bouquet of roses and bouvardia.

Grisella C. Hall, who acted a s maid of honor and only attendant for her sister, wore a frock of aqua taffeta, made on tailored lines, with a high neckline. She carried a bouquet of chrysanthemums in autumn shades and her headdress was an artistic arrangement of matching flowers.

Gowned in Black

Mrs. Hall chose a graceful black marquisette gown, with a matching hat, the latter trimmed with flowers in variegated colors. With this went an orchid corsage. The bridegroom’s mother also chose black in a floor-length crepe gown, with a ribbon-trimmed hat of the same color. She, too, wore a corsage of orchids.

Murray Boltinoff, of New York, served as best man. There were no ushers. A small reception at the home of the bride’s parents for members of the immediate families followed the ceremony. Upon their return from a wedding trip, the couple will make their home in New York.

The bride is a granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Prescott Hall, of Plainfield, N. J., and of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Henry Earnshaw, formerly of this city. She is a great-niece of Mrs. Maud Howe Elliott, of Newport, R.I.
Fluchere worked at National Comics beginning in 1946. Something About the Author said Fluchere attended Columbia University from 1946 to 1948.

The Daily News (Tarrytown, New York), March 1, 1949, reported Fluchere’s upcoming talk in the column, Happenings Here and There in the Village.
Comic Books—Henri A. Flushers [sic], commercial artist and production manager of National Comics, will tell the story behind the tremendous volume of comics produced today, to the Irvington Kiwanians at their meeting in the Hotel Florence at 7:15 P.M. tomorrow. He is also expected to discuss the recent trend to legislative control of comics.
The Daily News, March 3, 1949, reported the event.
Advertising Art Explained
Irvington Kiwanians heard Henri A. Fluchers [sic], commercial artist and production manager of National Comics, talk last night on the different aspects and kinds of art used in advertising and commercial art.

Fluchers brought illustrations of every kind of art used commercially, including photographs, half tones, line drawings, color reproductions and several others.

He was expected to speak on comic books, but touched only briefly on that subject when he said that his company was very much opposed to the bill now in the Legislature, to control comics. He also said that his company employs a child psychologist to go over every strip and suggest improvements and changes.
Something About the Author said Fluchere began his freelance writing career in 1950. He was art director for McGraw’s Technical Writing Service from 1950 to 1953.

The Irvington Gazette (New York), November 5, 1953, noted Fluchere’s new home, “Mr. and Mrs. George Hinckley of Oak street moved on Monday to Chicago. They have sold their home to Mr. and Mrs. Henri A. Fluchere who will occupy it shortly.”

Something About the Author said Fluchere was an Irvington village trustee from 1958 to 1960; police commissioner from 1958 to 1960; and acting mayor from 1959 to 1960.

Popular Science published Fluchere’s tip in the August 1961 issue, and his article in January 1962.

Something About the Author said Fluchere wrote “The Westchester Winetaster,” a weekly column in Westchester newspapers. He was a member of the American Wine Society.

The Patent Trader (Mount Kisco, New York), February 15, 1973, noted this event, “The wine-tasting will be conducted by Henri Fluchere, a wine expert whose weekly column appears in The Weekly News.”

Fluchere also conducted workshops as reported in the Courier and Freeman (Potsdam, New York), November 23, 1976, “We enjoyed a workshop with Henri Fluchere, wine writer of the Consumer Wineletter and noted author. His guest speaker was Marcia Mondavi of the Robert Mondavi Winery in California.”

Fluchere passed away November 25, 1991.


Books illustrated by Fluchere
How To…
Jack Woodford
Arco Publishing, 1951

Airbrush Techniques for Commercial Art
with John Musacchia and Melvin Grainger
Reinhold Publishing, 1953

Using Mathematics
Kenneth B. Henderson and Robert E. Pingry
McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1955

Course in Beginning Watercolor
with John Musacchia and Melvin Grainger
Reinhold, 1956

You and Your Cells
Leo Schneider
Harcourt Brace & World, 1964

Man and the Living World
Karl Von Frisch
Time-Life Books, 1965

Microbes of Your Life
Leo Schneider
Harcourt, 1966

Relativity: An Introduction for Young Readers
Michael Chester
W. W. Norton, 1967

Long Life to You: Modern Medicine at Work
Leo Schneider
Harcourt, 1968

The Story of the United States Flag
Wyatt Blassingame
with Victor Mays
Garrad, 1969

The Indus: South Asia’s Highway of History
Jane Werner Watson
Garrad, 1970

Flying
Barry Schiff
Golden Press/Western Publishing, 1971

Wines
Henri André Fluchere (author)
Golden Press, 1973


(Next post on Monday)
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Comics: Lin Streeter, Artist

April 30, 2018, 5:00 am
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Lindsay Robert “Lin” Streeter was born on May 6, 1915 in Englewood, New Jersey, according to his New York, New York National Guard Service Card. However, the Social Security Death Index said Streeter’s birth date was May 4, 1916. According to My Heritage, Streeter’s parents were Robert Lindsay Streeter and Mary (Marie) Louise Klenk. Streeter’s full name was also at My Heritage, the Internet Speculative Fiction Database, Archie Comics Wiki, and World Wrecker: An Annotated Bibliography of Edmond Hamilton (2009).

In the 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Streeter was the oldest of two children born to Robert, a brokerage office clerk, and Marie. The family resided in Brooklyn, New York at 352 East 23rd Street.

The 1930 census recorded the Streeter family in Westfield, New Jersey at 419 Colonial Avenue. Streeter’s father was a broker at a brokerage firm.

Streeter attended the University of Pennsylvania which had this listing in its Directory of Officers, Faculty, Students, Departments 1934–1935: “Streeter, Lindsay Robert Wh 1 Westfield NJ 27 Thomas Penn Dorm”.

On December 19, 1935 Streeter enlisted in the New York City National Guard. He was assigned to Company L of the 107th Infantry. Streeter was a Westfield, New Jersey resident.

Streeter’s address was unchanged in the 1940 census. He was a freelance artist who had two years of college and lived with his parents and sister. Information about Streeter’s art training has not been found.

From 1940 to 1942, Streeter’s illustrations were published in the science fiction pulps, Future Fiction and Science Fiction.

According to Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999, Streeter’s comic book career began in the early 1940s.

During World War II Streeter enlisted in the army on April 3, 1942 at Newark, New Jersey.

A Soldier’s Journal: With the 22nd Infantry Regiment in World War II (2005) described the origin of a new weekly newspaper with Streeter as its cartoonist.
September 18 [1942].
Izzy Goldstein decided that his energy and talent were not being utilized to the fullest as a reporter for the Division weekly newspaper, The Ivy Leaf. He organized a staff and began a regimental publication. He named it Double Deucer, for “22nd” Infantry Regiment. By the second issue the paper received a hearty commendation from the Division commanding general, Major General Barton. By the their disuse the weekly had become virtually a tradition in the regiment. One reason is the pithy cartoons by ex-civilian professional cartoonist Lin Streeter. Another is the writing of fiction writer John Cheever, renowned for his stories in The New Yorker….
Streeter was named in John Cheever: A Biography (2016). 
Things began to look up, a little, when Cheever was transferred to Special Services a couple days later and declared editor of a weekly regimental newspaper, The Double Deucer. Paired with a cartoonist, Lin Streeter (best known for “Pat Patriot, America’s Joan of Arc”), Cheever tried to make the newspaper as entertaining as possible. Spoofing such hackneyed features as the Inquiring Reporter (I don’t know how the Major will take it, but I’m sure the men will like it”). Meanwhile he almost fell in the line of duty. On a cold day in February, an officious lieutenant insisted on helping him build a fire in the Recreation Hall, near the newspaper office, and ended up burning the place to the ground. With flames licking at his feet, Cheever ran out the back door with a typewriter and the stencil for the latest Double Deucer, which became “a special fire issue”: when copies arrived from the printer, he and Streeter singed the bundle with a blowtorch as if it had been yanked from the fire in the nick of time.
The Star-Journal (Long Island City, New York), September 28, 1942, published this United Press article.
Painter and Cartoonist Do Stuff in Army
Augusta, Ga. (UP)—Whether the men in the 22nd Infantry are comic book fans or prefer the art galleries, they can keep up either interest—thanks to Lin Streeter and Red Robin.

Private Red Robin is a member of the Zuni Tribe, ancient Indian group discovered by Coronado 300 years ago. Robin attended art school in Denver and studied under John Sloan, high ranking American painter. He has exhibited at the Museum of Modem Art, the Brooklyn Museum and several other outstanding galleries. At present he is working on the rough sketches of a mural depicting the progress of the 22nd Infantry, to which he is attached.

Streeter also recently in the 22nd Infantry, is the creator of comic book super-supers. He is doing his stuff now for the “Double Deucer,” the 22nd Infantry’s mimeographed publication.

The South Carolina, County Marriages, 1910–1990, at Ancestry.com, said Streeter married Eleanor E. Hershey on January 5, 1943 at Edgefield.

Streeter was mentioned in three letters Cheever wrote to his wife Mary. A summary of each letter is at the Morgan Library and Museum: undated; February 9, 1943; and February 24, 1943.

The Pittsburgh Courier (Pennsylvania), December 18, 1943, reported the results of an art contest that included Streeter.
Wins 2nd Prize In Art Contest
Camp Gordon Johnston, Fla.—Pfc. Cornelius Griffin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Griffin, 316 North Calhoun street, Baltimore, Md., second prize winner in the recent special service branch art content at Camp Gordon Johnston…

…Other participants in the art contest were professional artists Cpl. Lin Streeter, former staff artist of the Bell Syndicate, publishers of the famed character, “Captain Valor of the Marines” and “Nightime Tally,” featured in the popular comic book “The Shield;” Cpl. Larry Spivack, Pfc. Steven Vegh, Jr., and Cpl. Roy Bolitser.

Streeter was mentioned in Hemingway at War: Ernest Hemingway’s Adventures as a World War II Correspondent (2016). 
Whiting goes on about Hemingway’s failure to interact with the common soldiers. This is contradicted by several accounts of his behavior. Sergeant Rothbart quotes 4th Division journalist Lin Streeter, who had comments about the civilian journalists he encountered: “Some of them were pretty arrogant….Ernest Hemingway and Ernie Pyle were among the unassuming.”
One of Streeter’s cartoons was described in Hell in Hürtgen Forest: The Ordeal and Triumph of an American Infantry Regiment (2001). 
One of the cartoons drawn by Lin Streeter, Double Deucer graphic artist and originator of the cartoon character “The Flash,” shows a new “older” recruit walking down the company street while a corporal standing on the side comments, “That’s the guy who promised me my ol’ job back after the war.”
In Editor & Publisher, April 26, 1969, Harry Shorten was profiled and said, “In 1943,” he explains, “Henry Aldrich was a popular radio show and the kid made a tremendous impact. I suggested to Sunbell that we start a strip with a Henry Aldrich-type kid. In those days everything we did concerned blood, thunder and guts. I created ‘Wilbur’ with Lin Streeter as the artist and the character came out looking exactly like him….”

Life, April 23, 1951, printed several 1944 Christmas cards including Streeter’s hand-drawn card.

When Streeter finished his army service he returned to comics. American Newspaper Comics (2012) said Streeter was one of the cartoonists to draw the strip “Sergeant Stony Craig”, which began with Don Dickson on September 20, 1937. Gerald Bouchard took over in 1941 to March 3, 1945. He was followed by Bill Draut from March 5, 1945 to July 13, 1946. Streeter continued the strip from July 15 to December 14, 1946. The strip was distributed by the Bell Syndicate. Streeter went on to work for a number of comic book publishers in the late 1940s into the mid-1950s. A chronological list of Streeter’s credits is at the Grand Comics Database. Original art of Streeter’s “The Enchanted Fish” can be viewed at Heritage Auctions here and here.

In Alter Ego #13, March 2002, Jim Amash interviewed artist Dave Gantz. Amash asked, “Do you remember Lin Streeter?” Gantz answered, “I sure do. Lin Streeter was a wild, funny guy who did a lot of teenage stuff. He came from a family that made ice cram. I think he went back into the ice cream business after comics, but I’m not sure. We were about the same age. He was a pretty good artist who pencilled and inked. He wasn’t at Timely too long and he worked for other companies, too. I think he even worked for Archie Comics.”

Streeter passed away October 18, 1968 in Basking Ridge, New Jersey according to an estate notice in The Courier-News (Bridgewater, New Jersey), October 31, 1968: ”Lindsay Robert Streeter, 139 S. Ave., Basking Ridge, died Oct. 18. Left estate to wife, Mrs. Eleanor Streeter.” 

Streeter’s first name was spelled “Lindsley” in the Social Security Death Index.

Streeter had at least one child. The Echoes-Sentinel (Warren Township, New Jersey), March 28, 1985, reported the engagement of his son, Richard, and Gail Bennett.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bennett of Basking Ridge have announced the engagement of their daughter, Gail Ellen Bennett, to Richard S. Streeter, the son of Mrs. Eleanor Streeter, also of Basking Ridge, and the late Lindsey [sic] Streeter. Both are graduates of Ridge High School. Miss Bennett attends Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. Mr. Streeter is the owner of Streeter’s Taxidermy. No date has been set for the wedding.

Further Reading
Lambiek Comiclopedia


(Next post on Monday)
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Lettering: Autograph Ghosts

May 7, 2018, 5:00 am
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Lettering: Warren P. Lovett, Entrepreneur

May 14, 2018, 5:00 am
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June 1891
“Warren P. Lovett. His design speaks for itself. It is printed on the front of the envelope.”






















October 7, 1891
“In the way of return envelopes the one gotten out by Mr. Warren P. Lovett, and shown on this page, is specially ingenious.”

I thought Lovett was a designer, he wasn’t, but Lovett was creative in other ways.

About Warren P. Lovett

Warren Parks Lovett was born on July 27, 1850, in Georgia. His parents were Napoleon Bonaparte Lovett and Miriam Ferrell, Napoleon’s second wife who died after Lovett’s birth. His father remarried to Sarah S. Parham.
The 1860 US Federal Census recorded Lovett, his father, step-mother and older brother, Byrd, in Meriwether, Georgia. Lovett has not yet been found in the 1870 census.

I believe Lovett was mentioned in Poultry World, August 1874, “W. P. Lovett, Ogeechee, Ga.” and in The Pet-Stock, Pigeon, and Poultry Bulletin, July 1875.
Fraud.
The following we clip from the Poultry World, for June. We regret that we must confirm the statement, as the same parties, during last winter, swindled us out of a small amount:

“We alluded, last month, to W. P. Lovett, a poultry dealer of Ogeeche, Ga., in terms not complimentary. We have learned that “Burns & Co.” so designated, are their allies; or the latter firm is simply another name for Lovett. Look out for them, for they are reported to us, on the best of authority, as swindlers of the worst type.”
The Macon Telegraph, October 12, 1877, said Lovett arrived at the Brown House yesterday.

Lovett was listed in the Sholes’ Directory of the City of Atlanta for 1877, “Lovett Warren P, with G S Lowndes, bds 117 S Pryor”; and 1878, “Lovett Warren P., agt r Alabama, ne cor Pryor”.

Lovett was mentioned in the Atlanta Constitution (Georgia), July 31, 1878, “Mr. Warren P. Lovett, left on a trip to Louisville and Cincinnati yesterday and will be absent a few days.” and in a November 9, 1878 article on a wedding, “…Mr. Warren P Lovett, of Atlanta, was master of ceremonies, and was an invaluable acquisition to the party.”

The Atlanta Constitution society column mentioned Lovett on January 19, 1879, “Mr. Warren Lovett and family are in Jacksonville, Fla.”

The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), August 7, 1879, published this article. 
Shooting a Scandal-Monger.—A fatal shooting affair occurred in Meriweather county. Ga., Monday. Warren Lovett, a well-known whisky “drummer,” was recently made the subject of a social scandal, and his name coupled with that of a lady of one of the first Georgia families. Lovett denounced the report as an infamous lie. He traced it to W. B. Reynolds as the author. Monday afternoon Lovett and two friends, riding on a country road, met Reynolds. Lovett dismounted from his horse and said: “Reynolds, you have told an infamous lie about me, and you must retract it here, in the presence of these gentlemen.” Reynolds said: “It is no lie, and I won’t retract it.” Reynolds then drew a pistol and fired, missing Lovett. Lovett drew a revolver and shot Reynolds in the breast. He died Tuesday morning and in his dying statement declared that he bad no pistol, and that one of Lovett’s friends fired the pistol and laid it by his side in the road. The case has created great excitement. Reynolds was of bad reputation and sympathy is with Lovett.
Another account of the incident appeared in the National Police Gazette (New York), September 6, 1879.
The Reynolds Homicide.
Near Griffin, Ga., on Sunday, the 3rd inst., Warren P. Lovett, a well-known and esteemed citizen of Atlanta, while on his way to pay a social visit, in company with two friends, named Trammell and Thorne, encountered in the road one J. K. Reynolds, a farmer, residing in the vicinity, who, Lovett had been informed, had circulated a scandalous report concerning him and involving a respectable young lady of the neighborhood.

Lovett, upon seeing Reynolds, addressed him as follows:

“You have circulated a report of me which you know to be utterly untrue, and now I want you to correct it to Mr. Trammell and Mr. Thorne, which will be satisfactory to me.”

Reynolds replied, “Yes, I started the report, and God damn you, I’ll kill you too!”

Wherepon [sic] Reynolds proceeded to draw a pistol and Lovett jumped out of the buggy. Just as Lovett had gotten out on the ground Reynolds fired at but did not hit him. Lovett then returned the fire the ball from his pistol taking effect in Reynold’s left side.

As Reynolds fell he remarked that Lovett had got the best of the fight but that he would fix it so Lovett would suffer. Reynolds died the following day. He had repeatedly threatened Lovett’s life.

The killing was justified by general opinion as having been strictly in self-defense. An authentic portrait of Lovett is given on another page.

Warren P. Lovett, killed J. K. Reynolds, a slanderer,
in self-defense, near Griffin, Ga.
Lovett was recorded twice in the 1880 census. In Griffin, Georgia, Lovett was a commercial broker married to Sallie. The oldest of three children was born in Texas; the others in Georgia. The family had a servant. Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Georgia, Lovett was a liquor dealer. According to the census all of his children were born in Georgia and the family did not have a servant.

Lovett’s visits to Macon were noted in the local newspaper.

Macon Telegraph and Messenger, December 23, 1882, “Warren P. Lovett was in the city last night.”

Macon Telegraph and Messenger, April 16, 1884, “Mr. Warren P. Lovett, representing the house of W. Ferst & Co., Savannah, was in Macon yesterday. Warren has a large number of friends in Macon and feels a pride in Macon’s greatness as shown yesterday.”

Macon Telegraph and Messenger, August 2, 1884, “Mr. Warren P. Lovett, who divides his time between traveling on the road and writing poetry, was in town yesterday.”

Macon Telegraph and Messenger, January 21, 1885, “Warren P. Lovett, Esq., is in the city to-day.”

Macon Telegraph, October 13, 1887, “Arrivals at Brown’s Hotel Yesterday. Warren P. Lovett, Savannah”

Lovett’s whereabouts was noted in the People’s Journal, (Pickens, South Carolina), August 16, 1894: “Warren Lovett, of Sanderville [sic], Ga., is visiting his niece, Mrs. J.P. Carey.”.

Lovett ran an advertisement in the New York Daily Tribune, March 5, 1895, and Albany Evening Journal (New York), January 15, 1896.
The Best Thing In Its Place.
Gentlemen: "After a thorough trial, in more ways than one, I have found Pond’s Extract the very best thing in its place I ever saw and I make this assertion on my own free will and accord. If a party will use it according to directions in any of the troubles for which it is recommended in your circular, I will refund the amount to him if not benefited by its use. I write this hoping it may meet the eyes of some who need just such a medicine, if medicine it be called. I am a convert to its use and not until I thoroughly tried it. This is written without your knowledge or consent. I don’t know either of your firm nor am I the least interested in the sale, simply written for the benefit of some fellow creature who has yet to use Pond’s Extract. Wishing you every success and believing you have a good thing, which is honestly manufactured.”—Warren P. Lovett, 64 N. Forsyth Street, Atlanta, Ga.

In 1897 Lovett’s questionable business practices became news.

American Druggist and Pharmaceutical Record, April 26, 1897.
A Warning to Wholesalers.
Mail addressed to Warren P. Lovett, Sandersville, Ga., has been returned by the United States postal authorities stamped “fraudulent.” We are informed that several whole sale druggists have received orders from Lovett, and in at least one instance the goods were shipped, but have not been paid for.
Printers’ Ink, September 1897: “Warren P. Lovett, Sandisville [sic], Georgia, is a fraud.’

Lovett was a Sandersville, Georgia resident in the 1900 census. His occupation was assistant editor. In the household were Lovett’s wife, three children, son-in-law and granddaughter.

Lovett’s business dealings caught up with him and was reported in many newspapers including the Indianapolis Journal, Richmond Times, Maysville Evening Bulletin and Semi-Weekly Messenger. A long account was published in the Ilion Citizen (New York), June 21, 1901.
A Smooth Operator.
The Alleged Schemes of Warren P. Lovett, a Man with Several Aliases.
His Arrest on Charge of Using the Mails for Fraudulent Purposes—He Tried His Game in Ilion But It Failed to Work.

An Associated Press dispatch dated Macon (Ga.) June 3, stated that Warren P. Lovett, a prominent citizen of Sandersvilie, had been arraigned before the United States Commissioner charged with using the mails for fraudulent purposes. He was put under a $900 bond. It is claimed that he bought all sorts of goods from all parts of the country without any intention of paying for them, using various names. According to the government’s contention he secured goods in small quantities—mostly in sample lots— and sold them to his acquaintances at greatly reduced prices, whatever he received being profit.
The Macon News has the following concerning Lovett and his transactions:
If the affidavit under which Lovett was arrested be true, one of the slickest and smoothest swindlers that the state of Georgia has had within its borders was arrested in Sandersville yesterday and brought here this morning.

The names under which this smooth gentleman transacted his swindling business are very numerous and the following are just a few of them, but they will serve to show that he was an adept in selecting names, as well as merchandise and other articles which he succeeded in securing from his unsuspecting victims: Warren P . Lovett, alias Robert L. Jaxon, alias Jim Crow, alias Wm. Parker, alias Warren Parker, alias Seco Poultry Company, Sandersville, Ga.

The modus operandi of Lovett was to have struck letter heads and other stationery, in the latest and most approved style, lithographed, generally, and when he wanted a bill of goods of any kind, no matter what they were, he would write to the firm from whom he desired the goods, and by using his lithographed stationery and a most business-like tone, he generally succeeded in securing what he desired, and when time came for making payment on the goods, no such person could be found, and the consignor of the goods would have to suffer the loss, and Mr. W. P. Lovett would be the gainer by that much.

He has conducted this business for several years, and while several attempts have been made to locate him he has always worked his game so finely that not one of the many postoffice inspectors that have worked on the case has been able to fasten anything on him, until quite recently, when Inspector Peer dropped on to him.

From what could be learned of Lovett this morning he was at one time a traveling salesman, and during his career as a commercial traveler he represented many of the leading firms of this country, and by this means he was enabled to obtain all the goods he wanted, for he was perfectly familiar with ways and channels through which goods were obtained.

His mode of living and the grand style in which be lived kept suspicion diverted from him for a long time. He lived in a place in Sandersville in what is known as “The Elms,” and bis house is said to be most magnificently furnished. He is a regular Beau Brummell in appearance, and wears the finest clothes and jewelry that are to be had. He is sharp and shrewd, and no one not acquainted with his dealings would ever suspect him of being, what is charged, an expert and slick swindler. He is rather clerical looking about the face and has a most pleasant address, and is as polite as a Chesterfield.

When ordering goods Lovett always made it a rule to request that no goods be sent C.O.D., but that they be sent prepaid, and he would never under any circumstances receive goods that were sent any other way.

It is said that on one occasion a firm of lawyers in Sandersville had placed in their hands papers against Lovett with instructions to serve them on any goods that might come to him. Lovett heard of this and he quietly left Sandersville and went to Savannah, where he purchased two large trunks and filled them with brick, tin cans, and any kind of old rubbish he could get, and labelled them “jewelry,” and “glass,” had them sent by express C. O. D. to himself at Sandersville.

The unwary lawyers learning that the trunks were in the express office at once seized on to them and took them to the court house where they gave notice that the contents would be sold. On the day appointed there was a large crowd present, and Lovett was also present. He went among the crowd with a cast-down countenance and seemed to feel deeply what was going on, but when the trunks were opened and their contents became known, the lawyers were thrown into consternation, for among the rubbish was a note addressed to them and it stated that it was the compliments of W. P. Lovett to the lawyers, and it gave them the sage advice to. “Be sure you are right, then go ahead.”

It was claimed this morning that Inspector Peer had sufficient evidence against Lovett to convict him under the charge for which he was arrested, that of using the mail for fraudulent purposes, and that when the hearing comes off on the 24th there will be no trouble in producing all the documents necessary to send him up for a term of years.
The Gazette-News (Daytona, Florida), April 19, 1902, published news of Lovett’s conviction. 
At Augusta, Georgia, the ease [sic] of Warren P. Lovett, charged with using the mails for fraudulent purposes, was disposed of by the United States Court Monday morning. Lovett was sentenced to serve eighteen months in the Federal Prison at Atlanta, but Judge Speer stated that he would sign a recommendation to have him taken to the Federal asylum for the same at Washington, D.C. Lovett was well known to some of the older business man of Daytona, he at one time being in the employ of Price & Robbins, of Jacksonville, as a traveling representative.
Lovett’s condition was reported in the Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), December 2, 1903. 
In Unconscious Condition.
Warren P. Lovett, fifty-two years old, an inmate of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for the insane, was found in an unconscious condition at the Riggs House this afternoon, said to have been due to morphine poisoning. The ambulance was summoned, and he was removed to the Emergency Hospital. It is believed he will recover. The patient formerly lived in Georgia, and has been in the asylum for about one year. He left there yesterday for the purpose of visiting friends. He will be returned to the institution when he recovers.
At some point Lovett was released and returned home.

Guida Numismatica Universale (1903) had a listing for Lovett.
Landersville [sic] (Georg,)
5593. Lovett Warren P., Box 116. — Coll. num.
The Tampa Tribune (Florida), December 18, 1904, published “My Creed” which appeared to be credited to Lovett.
Do not keep the alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them, and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier by them, the kind things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go. The flowers you mean to send for their coffins, send to brighten and sweeten their homes before they leave them. If my friends have alabaster boxes laid away full of fragrant perfumes of sympathy and affection, which they intended to break over my dead body, I would rather they would bring them out in my weary and troubled hours, and open them, that I may be refreshed and cheered by them while I need them. I would rather have a plain coffin without a flower, a funeral without an eulogy, than a life without the sweetness of love and sympathy. Let us learn to anoint our friends beforehand for their burial. Post-mortem kindnesses does not cheer the troubled spirit. Flowers on the coffin cast no fragrance backward over life’s weary way.
Lovett did not write the above which was published, with minor differences, in The London Journal, May 18, 1878; The British Friend, June 1878, as “Alabaster Boxes”; The Shaker Manifesto, July 1878; The Sunday Magazine, March 1881, as “The Alabaster Box”; The Crown of Life: From the Writings of Henry Ward Beecher (1890) and other publications. The author is unknown.

The Macon Telegraph, February 2, 1908, noted Lovett’s whereabouts, “Mr. Warren P. Lovett spent several days in Davisboro.”

In the 1910 census, Lovett was the head of the household, in Sandersville, which included his wife, son, daughter and her family, and two boarders. Lovett was a commercial traveler.

The Macon Telegraph, May 26, 1912, said “Warren P. Lovett was delegate from the Violet Rebekah lodge to the Rebekah assembly.”

Lovett passed away  October 6, 1913, in Georgia. The Macon Telegraph, October 7, 1913, noted his passing.
Sandersville, Oct. 6—Warren P. Lovett, a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow of this city, and most highly respected citizen, died at his residence here early this morning at the age of 65, after an illness of only a few days.

Mr. Lovett is survived by his wife, daughter, Mrs. E.B. West, and two sons, John J. and Byrd H., all of Sandersville. He was well known throughout the state.

The funeral services occurred here this afternoon from the Episcopal church at 3 o’clock.
Lovett was laid to rest at Old City Cemetery. 


(Next post on Monday: Penmen Signatures)
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Lettering: Penmen Signatures

May 21, 2018, 5:00 am
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Comics: Danny Crespi, Letterer

May 28, 2018, 5:00 am
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1975 Mighty Marvel Comic Convention Program

Daniel “Danny” Crespi was born on February 13, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York. His birthdate is from the Social Security Death Index and the birthplace is based on census records. Crespi’s parents were Turkish emigrants.

According to a passenger list at Ancestry.com, Crespi’s father, “J. Nessem Crespie”, a shoemaker, sailed on the steamship Floride from Havre, France on July 1, 1911 and arrived at the port of New York on July 11. In the column “Race or People” was written “Hebrew.” Another column asked for the name and address of the “nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came”. Nessem named his father, Daniel, who lived in “Angora, Turkey”. Today the city is known as Ankara. Nessem’s passage was paid by his brother, “Jacques D. Crespie”, the oldest of five siblings, who resided at 1196 Second Avenue in Manhattan. Both brothers made minor changes to their names.

On June 5, 1917 Crespi’s father, Nissim Crespi, and uncle, Jacob Crespi, signed their World War I draft cards. Nissim was employed at a paper box manufacturer. Jacob, later known as Jack, was a porter at the Colonial Hotel. They resided in Manhattan at 75 East 110 Street. (A family tree at Ancestry.com said Jack had a son named Daniel, 1918–2015).

Nissim has not yet been found in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census.

According to Crespi’s Social Security application, his mother was Sarah Asher. Crespi’s parents obtained a marriage license in Manhattan on September 30, 1920. They married in Brooklyn on October 4, 1920 according to the New York, New York, Marriage Certificate Index at Ancestry.com. At some point Nissim adopted the name Sam.

The 1925 New York state census recorded Sam, Sarah, Sam’s daughter and mother, both named Rachel. They lived in Brooklyn at 622 Junius Street.

The same address was in the 1930 census. The household included Crespi, his parents and sister. Crespi’s father owned a shoe repair store.

On August 4, 1928, Crespi’s father filed an naturalization application. His Petition for Citizenship was approved June 28, 1932 in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of New York at Brooklyn. At the time, the Crespi family resided at 668 Georgia Avenue.

“A Journey Through Time”: Portraits of the American Jewish Family and the American Sephardic Jewish Family (1993) published the wedding photograph of Mary Asher and Israel Elias, who married on june 18, 1932. Young Crespi and his parents are in the picture.

According to the 1940 census, the family moved to the Bronx after 1935. The Crespi family’s address was 447 Claremont Parkway. That address was also on Crespi’s father’s World War II draft card which was signed on April 27, 1942.

During World War II, Crespi enlisted in the Army Air Corps, at Fort Dix, New Jersey, on April 17, 1944. According to Crespi’s veteran’s file, he was discharged May 2, 1946.

Crespi’s art training was at Burne Hogarth’s Cartoonists and Illustrators School. (I contacted Todd Klein, who contacted Nel Yomtov, a relative of Crespi, who said Crespi used the G.I. Bill to enroll in 1946 or 1947.)

Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999 said Crespi’s comic book lettering career began at Timely Comics in 1948. In 1957, most of the Timely staff was disbanded. In Comics Interview #9, March 1984, D. Jon Zimmerman asked Crespie what he did next.
Danny: I began doing freelance lettering.

Z: In comics?

Danny: No, in advertising. I told myself, “To Hell with comics—it must be dying if a big company like Timely can close up.” I went to art studios doing board work and paste ups, then went to the presentation department of BBD&O and did Speedball lettering for them for 12 years.
In John Romita and All That Jazz! (2007), Jim Amash interviewed Romita and asked about Crespi. Romita said
Danny Crespi goes back even before I got there. He was working at the Empire State Building as one of the letterers during the Timely days. And then he wasn’t working with Stan for years, and all of a sudden he was back in the Bullpen again….
Who’s Who said Crespie returned to comics in 1969. However, in Comics Interview, Crespie said, “Well, about twelve years ago [1972] I called up Morrie Kuramoto—I don’t talk to him that often and once every twelve years is enough. (Laughter.) I didn’t even know if he was still working at Marvel, but I heard he was. I asked if he had any work for me. He said, “Hey, man, I can use a hand. Come on down!’”

The New York City, Marriage License Indexes, at Ancestry.com, said Crespi and Rosalyn R. Jaffe obtained a Bronx marriage license 1952. Their daughter, Susan, also worked for Marvel in the early 1990s and may still be there.

Crespi passed away May 30, 1985, according to his veteran’s file. The Social Security Death index said his last residence was the Bronx. Crespi’s father’s death was on September 3, 1992. His oral history was recorded March 13, 1991. Crespi’s mother died October 15, 2002. The death of Crespi’s wife was on October 14, 2013. All were laid to rest at New Montefiore Cemetery.

Marvel comic books dated December 1985 had Jim Shooter’s tribute to Crespi in the “Bullpen Bulletins”.




The Comics Journal #101, August 1985, said “Crespi came on staff at Marvel in 1972 as the head letterer, having been a freelance letterer since the 1950s. In 1978, he became the assistant production manager, working closely with John Verpoorten. When Verpoorten died, Crespi became the coordinator for the art and production departments. Since then, Crespi became the central figure responsible for day-to-day operations in the Bullpen.”


Further Reading and Viewing
Todd’s Blog, The Danny Crespi Files

Eliot R. Brown
April 18, 1982, The Marvel Wack-Offs!
Danny Crespi and Stu Schwarzberg, 1979
Danny Crespi and Lenny Grow, March 1979

Scott Edelman
Marie Severin’s ’70s Marvel Bullpen map: “As for The Turk, I can’t say 100% for sure, but I believe that referred to then assistant production manager Danny Crespi….”
Cook Danny Crespi’s ribsClem Robins

(Next post on Monday)
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Search

Lettering: Trademarks, September 8, 1935

June 4, 2018, 5:00 am
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Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office


















































(Next post on Monday)
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Street Scene: B. Shackman and Co.

June 11, 2018, 5:00 am
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•N E WY O R KC I T Y•
Fifth Avenue at 16th Street, Manhattan


(Next post on Monday)
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Comics: Joe Letterese, Letterer

June 18, 2018, 5:00 am
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Photograph of Joe Letterese at DC by José Luis García-López; courtesy of Todd Klein

Joseph F. “Joe” Letterese was born on June 14, 1917, in the Bronx, New York. His birth date is from the Social Security Death Index and the birthplace is based on census records.

In the 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Letterese was the oldest of two sons born to Pasquale and Katie (Catherine Devirgiles), both Italian emigrants. Letterese’s father was employed as a hatter. The family resided in the Bronx at 4547 Park Avenue. 

According to the 1925 New York state census, the address was the same and included two more children, Frances and Marie. 

The 1930 census said the Letterese family’s address was 1926 Yates Avenue in the Bronx. 

Letterese was the subject of “DC Profiles Number 50” which appeared in DC comic books dated November 1979. The profile said he graduated from the School of Industrial Art in the late 1930s and “started as a commercial artist”.

However, in the 1940 census, Letterese was a helper in the milk industry. He lived with his parents and four siblings in the Bronx at 1921 Melrose Avenue. 

During World War II Letterese was drafted and enlisted in the army on July 8, 1942. His occupation was stock clerk. The DC profile said he served “in England, fighting Hitler’s bombers as an aircraft identification expert, injured during the bombing of London, Joe returned to the U.S.…” Letterese’s veterans Beneficiary Identification Records Locater Subsystem file said he was discharged October 6, 1943. Letterese received the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal in 2001. 

The profile said: 
After a brief stint doing art and lettering for Parents Magazine, Joe moved to the production department of Atlas (later Marvel) Comics where he worked on covers, designed logos (several of which are still being used today) and served as Stan Lee’s assistant.”

When Atlas shut down and nearly went out of business in the late 1950s, Joe approached DC for some freelance work. Then-Assistant Editor Murray Boltinoff and Editor Mort Weisinger admired Joe's abilities and gave him the assignments that ultimately led to his being hired as a full-time Corrections Artist in DC’s Production Department….
In John Romita and All That Jazz! (2007), Romita was interviewed by Jim Amash who mentioned Letterese. Romita said, “Oh, yes, I knew Joe Letterese from my DC years. He worked at Marvel in the ’40s, before I knew him. But in the ’50s, whenever I delivered a story to DC and had to do corrections, I’d go into the Bullpen, so I got to know Joe Letterese, Stan Starkman, Eddie Eisenberg, and Sol Harrison. I got to know a lot of guys in the Bullpen….”

Some of Letterese’s credits are at the Grand Comics Database and Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1922–1999. 






Ridgewood, New Jersey city directories for 1954, 1956 and 1960 listed Letterese as a letterer in New York. His wife was Katherine and their address was 10-03 Canger in Fair Lawn.

Letterese passed away June 3, 1991. The Record (Hackensack, New Jersey), June 5, 1991, said:
Joseph F. Letterese Sr., 73, of Wyckoff, formerly of Fair Lawn, died Monday. Before retiring in 1981, he was a commercial artist for DC Comics/Warner Communications, New York City.

He was an Army veteran of World War II.

Surviving are his wife, Katherine Kondogianis Letterese, and a son, Joseph Jr. of Wyckoff.
Letterese was laid to rest at George Washington Memorial Park.


Further Reading and Viewing
Todd’s Blog
Logo Study: Batman part 2

The Beat

(Next post on Monday: The Rising Son)

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Anatomy of a Logo: The Rising Son

June 25, 2018, 5:00 am
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The Rising Son was an African American newspaper published weekly, beginning in 1896, in Kansas City, Missouri. An image of the first logo is not available. The earliest available issues are from 1903. In the early 1900s, J. A. Haner designed a new logo for the newspaper. His signature is below the pen and inkwell.


















ABOUT JAMES ALTHA HANER

Born: June 21, 1871, Mifflin or Marseilles, Ohio

1880 United States Federal Census
Exeter, Nebraska
Name / Age
J.G. Hainer, 43
Harriet Hainer, 44
Wilroy Hainer, 20
Elnorah Hainer, 18
Angie Hainer, 11
Altha Hainer, 9

An Ancestry.com family tree profile said Haner graduated from the Exeter high school and attended Cotner College in Lincoln, Nebraska then studied at “College for Art” in Omaha, Nebraska. Haner joined the staff of the Kansas City Journal around June 1899. On December 28, 1899, he married Olive Patton. The newlyweds moved to Kansas City Missouri.

1900 United States Federal Census
1425 Oak Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Name / Age / Occupation
Altha J Hauer, 28, artist
Olive P Hauer, 24

1910 United States Federal Census
1324 Hudson Avenue, Rosedale, Kansas
Name / Age / Occupation
James A Haner, 38, illustrator
Olive P Haner, 34

1915 Kansas State Census
Rosedale, Kansas
Name / Age
James A Haner, 43
Olive P Haner, 38
Margaret Haner, 3

1917 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory
Name: J A Haner
Street address: 3924 Hudson rd Rosedale
Occupation: Artist

The family tree profile said Haner was affiliated with the Holland Engraving Company for many years.

1920 United States Federal Census
3924 Rainbow Boulevard, Rosedale, Kansas
Name / Age / Occupation
James A Haner, 47, engraving company artist
Olive P Haner, 43
Margaret P Haner, 8
George W Patton, 77
Margaret A Patton, 75
Pamelia J Nettleton, 64

1921 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory
Name: J A Haner
Street address: KCK [Kansas City, Kansas]
Occupation: Pesmen & Haner

Name: Louis A Pesmen
Street address: 3834 Garfield
Occupation: Pesmen & Haner

Name: Pesmen & Haner (Louis A Pesmen JA Haner)
Street address: 1331 Oak
Occupation: Artists

1925 Kansas State Census
Kansas City, Kansas
Name / Age
J A Haner, 53
Olive P Haner, 47
Margaret Haner, 13

1930 United States Federal Census
3924 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas
Occupation:
Name / Age / Occupation
James A Haner, 57, commercial artist
Olive P Haner, 54
Margaret Haner, 18
Margaret Patton, 85

1940 United States Federal Census
3924 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas
Name / Age / Occupation
James A Haner, 69, proprietor, tea room
Olive P Haner, 63, waitress, tea room

1946 Iowa City, Iowa, City Directory
Name: J A Haner
Street address: 615 N Dubuque apt 10
Occupation: Commercial Artist
Spouse: Olive P Haner

Died: July 3, 1961, Kansas City, Missouri
Burial: Exeter Cemetery

Further Reading
Biographical Dictionary of Kansas Artists (active before 1945)
Haner, James A. fl. [flourished] 1910-40s, Kansas City. Commercial artist. Married to Olive. Lived at 3924 Rainbow Blvd., 1942; 1324 Hudson Road, Rosedale, 1910-12; 3924 Hudson Avenue, Rosedale, 1916.
Kansas City Dir. 1910, 1911, 1912, 1916, 1942.

Related Post
The Freeman

(Next post on Monday: Harvey Kurtzman, 4th of July Barbecue)
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Comics: Harvey Kurtzman, 4th of July Barbecue

July 2, 2018, 5:00 am
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Address and phone numbers removed for privacy reasons.

(Next post on Monday: Trademarks, September 10, 1935)


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