Description:

Robert Crumb PSA MINT 9 ALS Re: "Weirdo" & Artistic Influences: "showing the true depths of humanity's whacky zaniness"

An autograph letter signed by American comic illustrator Robert Crumb (born 1943) as "R. Crumb" at lower left. November 18, 1981. N.p. Encapsulated and PSA/DNA certified and graded MINT 9. Inscribed on an unlined index card. Expected surface wear including toning, edge darkening, and wrinkles. Isolated scuffs and wrinkles verso. Extremely legible in Crumb's handwriting comprised exclusively of upper case letters. The card measures 5" x 3" while the slab measures 7.125" x 4.125."

Robert Crumb wrote this letter to one "Charley," quite possibly Charles Burns (born 1955), a fellow comic illustrator with a strong photography background known for his horror comics.

Crumb wrote in full:

"November 18th, 1981

Charley:

Thanks muchly for the copy of 'Phorbidden Photos'…very inspirational visuals!!! Showing the true depths of humanity's whacky zaniness…Here's the sketchbook h (?)and copy of Weirdo #3 (I'm all out of #1 and 2)… [not included in this lot] I shoulda sent you a copy of #3 anyway since, if you'll examine the cover closely, you'll discover that some of your work is more to me th[an] just a source of inspiration…Hope yez don't mind…yer right up there with Diane Arbus…

Say, what is Helen 'Wheels' up to these days? Do you know? She still trying to make it with her own band?

You ever seen Brassai's photos of Paris Night Life - good stuff!

There's a portrait of Helen Wheels in the sketchbook…

- R. Crumb."

Robert Crumb crams this letter with many references to artists, artistic works, and artistic influences. Crumb writes that he is enclosing a copy of one of his sketchbooks as well as a copy of "Weirdo #3." [Not included in this lot.] The "Weirdo" series was a 28-issue comic anthology published by Last Gasp between 1981-1993. The short-lived "Weirdo" series was an example of underground comics shaped by pulp and punk influences. It experimented with alternative comics formats, like using text-captioned photographs instead of hand-drawn illustrations. Crumb edited the first nine issues of "Weirdo," and also contributed extensively to each issue.

In the letter, Crumb mentions two modern photographers whose work he admired: American photographer Diane Arbus (1923-1971); and Brassaï (1899-1984) (born Gyula Halász), a Hungarian expatriate photographer living in France. Their candid photography captured the alternative lifestyles of urban outsiders, and showed a remarkable sensitivity towards the unusual, frightening, and grotesque. Crumb alludes to Brassaï's principal photography collection from 1933, "Paris de Nuit" [trans: "Paris by Night"]. Also mentioned is another creative personality: Helen "Wheels" Robbins (1949-2000), a charismatic member of the 1970s New York City punk band movement who would eventually form the eponymous Helen Wheels Band.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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