Little Nemo in Slumberland, Winsor McCay Sunday comic strip original art, August 14, 1910

28.5 inches x 22.5 inches, signed bottom right. Very good condition. In pencil, bottom edge: “Comic Sect Aug 14 - Pge 1 & Syndicate.” Newsprint cut attached lower right: (Copyright, 1910, by The New York Herald Co.)

Universally recognized as one of the twentieth century's greatest and most influential cartoonists, few came close to Winsor McCay’s stunning illustrations and imaginative genius. And though his landmark comic strips included the memorable Dreams of the Rarebit Fiend and Little Sammy Sneeze, his true masterpiece was Little Nemo in Slumberland. Taking the reader through a maze of dreamlike fantasies, Little Nemo today is considered amongst the most sophisticated, and certainly most beautiful of all comic strips.

The Sunday full-page “strip” we are honored to be offering has remained in the McCay family to his day. It has never been offered for sale before. Appearing on August 14, 1910, it was from the early years of Little Nemo and includes the title character (Nemo) and his friends - Impi and Flip.

In this strip, the threesome depart from Mars and head back to Earth while their Martian host (with scaly skin and webbed feet) is sad to see them go. Nemo, Impi and Flip are shot through a cannon-like device hoping to reach their ship and voyage home. As they hurtle though space, the three fly by signs including “KEEP OFF OF THIS AIR” and “WHY PAY RENT! BUY A HOME IN THE CLOUDS - B. GOSH & CO” Arriving at their ship just in time, Captain Drisel assures them that they’ll land “next Sunday morning, Herald Square.” (Herald Square, as many know, is on 34th Street, NYC.)

Provenance:
Family of Winsor McCay