Iconic Robert Crumb Mr. Natural #1 Original Cover Art to Be Auctioned by Heritage!
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Few Underground Comix characters are as well-known or beloved as Robert Crumb's Mr. Natural. Whether he's exhorting one to "Keep on Truckin'," or simply kickin' the keister of some hapless soul, few characters define the underground comix movement of the 1960s and ‘70s as clearly and distinctly as Crumb's iconic philosopher.
Mr. Natural was born in the mid-1960s, while Crumb was experiencing a trip on what he called "fuzzy acid," given to him by a former girlfriend. For several weeks, Crumb lived a bizarre, dream like existence, in which he was helpless to do anything save doodle in his sketchbooks. "...what a boon to my art!" Crumb says in Rebel Visions: The Underground Comix Revolution, 1963-1975, by Patrick Rosenkranz (Fantagraphics Books, 2002). "It was during that fuzzy period that I recorded in my sketchbook all the main characters I would be using in my comics for the next ten years: Mr. Natural, Flakey Foont, Schuman the Human, the Snoid... it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, like a religious vision that changes someone's life, but in my case it was the psychotic manifestation of some grimy part of America's collective unconscious."
Mr. Natural made his print debut in the third issue of the underground newspaper Yarrowstalks, an issue that featured all Crumb artwork. Published by Brian Zahn and sold through head shops in the San Francisco area, the issue was so successful that Zahn suggested Crumb create more comics that he, Zahn, would publish, a suggestion that eventually led to the creation and publication of Zap Comix (which was published by Donnie Donahue and Charles Plymell, not Zahn, as Zahn had gone to India by that time). With the publication of Zap Comics #1 — an issue that was sold by Crumb himself on the streets of San Francisco out of a baby carriage — Crumb and Mr. Natural were certified hits, a popularity that continues to this day.
"It's hard to overstate the importance of Robert Crumb to the Underground Comix movement," said David Tosh, Heritage's resident UG Comix expert, "and, in an evolutionary sense, to today's independent comics. Crumb was one of the movers and shakers of the form, the creator who wasn't afraid to take his art to the next level and hold up a mirror to polite society, a mirror that often reflected some rather disturbing truths. Crumb was a visionary, a pioneer, in the same way that Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creators of Superman, were pioneers, and his place in comics — and comix — history reflects that."
"Of all the covers that Crumb created for his various comic projects," Tosh said, "few are as iconic as that which graced Mr. Natural #1, released in 1970. This deceptively simple piece of art showcases the inimitable Mr. Natural in all his glory, doing what he does best: kicking butt. The ink and Zipatone on paper art measures approximately 10" x 14"; the ‘key line’ for the logo and border color is drawn in ink on the back side of the page. The art has been professionally matted and framed to an overall size of approximately 15.5" x 19.5", and is absolutely gorgeous in every detail."
"Anyone who has the slightest interest in American pop culture should avail themselves of the opportunity to view this incredibly important and historic piece of art on our Web site at HA.com," Tosh said. "While there, you'll have a chance to view enlargeable, full-color images of this and every other piece in our upcoming auction, read our complete and informative catalog descriptions, and even place bids online from the comfort and convenience of your home or office. We know you want this piece... it's only natural!"
Robert Crumb's Mr. Natural #1 Original Cover Art will be offered in Heritage's upcoming Vintage Comic and Comic Art auction, to be held November 15-17, 2007, in Dallas, Texas.
Prospective consignors and sellers of Comics and Comic Art are invited to www.HA.com/Sell. Or simply e-mail Ed Jaster at EdJ@HA.com, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1288.
To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1150, or visit http://www.ha.com/Catalog to order by e-mail.
This is a guest article. The thoughts and opinions in this piece are those of their author and are not necessarily the thoughts of the Certified Collectibles Group.
