Monday, September 14, 2009

Al Capp's "Li'l Abner"

There was a time when comic strips and the artists who created them were so popular, they'd appear on the cover of major national magazines -- as is the case here with Li'l Abner and his creator, Al Capp.  Time and Life both cover-featured Capp's comic strip. 

The Shmoo was a hugely popular Capp character  -- shown here on a certificate given out to kids who'd  bought government savings bonds.

Mammy and Pappy Yokum make an appearance on this child's valentine.

Abner and his folks in a B&W still from the motion picture version of the wonderful Broadway musical based on the strip.

A pair of Abner frame tray jigsaw puzzles.  Y'know if you turn these upside down to place 'em on a scanner bed, comedy  and/or tragedy may ensue....


The Harvey Comics Group, which published the Abner comic book, put together this promotional booklet showing media coverage of the strip.  Cover and first page shown.


Li'l Abner sheet music cover illustration.


One of many examples of licensed Abner merchandise.  This candy box comes from the defunct Dogpatch theme park in Kentucky.


I have more Capp/Abner items I'll eventually share here.  Stop by again....

1 comment:

James Robert Smith said...

Sometimes I try to explain to people how popular newspaper comics were to the general population. Most people don't believe, and even the ones who do don't care.

There have been times when I've tried to impress upon folk the popularity of strips like L'il Abner, Dick Tracy, Terry and the Pirates, Prince Valiant, Flash Gordon, etc.

Alas.