Rob Stolzer

No worries at all. It's a lot of info to go through. And since you mentioned Ralph, I should mention that he is a HUGE fan of Bill Mauldin's work. In fact, Ralph worked with Mauldin to try and get a Willie and Joe animation special in the 1970s, but they could not get the TV studios interested. Still, Ralph loved working with Mauldin. I'll add one more Mauldin story. Some of you might recall Lew Sayre Schwartz, one of Bob Kane's many, many Batman ghosts. Lew was an art collector as well and he loved to chat. In the 1940s, not long after Mauldin returned home from the Mediterranean Theater, he attended a National Cartoonists' Society event in NYC. Mauldin was able to bring his Willy Jeep home with him from the war, and he gave Lew a ride to the function. But Mauldin got so blasted at the event, he wound up driving down one of the one-way streets in NYC the wrong way. If you've read the wonderful Todd DePastino biography about Mauldin, you'll know that he was a tea-tottaler before the war, but what he saw in Italy changed him forever. He apparently felt a lot of guilt for having the success he did while so many people he knew were killed in battle. Finally, before I drone on too long, if you're interested in this kind of stuff, please consider checking out my Gregor Duncan website. Duncan was a well-known illustrator and even had stories in the first 10 issues of Whiz Comics before heading out to war. He got to know Mauldin at the Stars & Stripes office, but was sadly killed in action just days later. Duncan's comics work was not all that good, but it was an industry in its infancy and a way to put food on the table during the Depression His illustration work was far better, but his life was fascinating. He and his wife were in the club Cafe Society when Billie Holiday introduced "Strange Fruit". Now that's something.

The reason why Mauldin's WWII originals are so scarce is because he donated the bulk of them to the 45th Division Museum in Oklahoma City.

Many thanks for the attribution and link to my website. One clarification: I did not know Mauldin, though I wish I did. I do think he's one of the most important wartime cartoonists ever to put pen to paper. He influenced a bunch of the EC guys and I'm sure influenced M*A*S*H as well. One final note: I'm lucky enough to own that Bloody Ridge original, which is an incredible piece in context to what Mauldin wrote about it.

I don't use the Photomerge function in Photoshop, but use both Auto-Align-Layers and Auto-Blend-Layers (under Edit in the top menu) frequently. If you are scanning a large Sunday page and have six pieces to join, those two functions make it so much easier. Plus, the Auto-Blend function removes the discoloration where pieces are joined.

For anyone interested in reading about odd, eccentric and sometimes forgotten cartoonists and illustrators, you might like to check out my website at inkslingers.ink The latest blog post is about the cartoonist Mal Eaton and his often wonderful Peter Piltdown Sunday page. You can see that post here: Mal Eaton's Scratchy Big Feet I've pictured a bunch of nice Eaton artwork from my collection in the post. Thanks and take care. Best, Rob

Yep, I've been supporting Farel Dalrymple's Patreon for years, and I recently started supporting Noah Van Sciver's as well.

Hi Everyone, I forgot to post that I put up a bunch of stuff for sale in my CAF sale gallery a couple of days ago. It's most comic strip stuff, but there is a sweet Mike Royer Mister Miracle piece listed as well. You can check things out at: Rob's CAF Sales Gallery Many thanks. Best, Rob

It won't be this one, since it's in my collection.

Hi Everyone, I have a number of new items available for direct sale, including a great Kevin Nowlan piece, a signed/ltd edition of the Joe Kubert Artist's Edition book, and much more. You can see the art at: Rob's Eclectic Art for Sale Many thanks. Best, Rob

Hi Everyone, I have a new round of weekly eclectic eBay art auctions up and running, including work by the illustrator David Stone Martin, Gaar Williams, Paul Rigby and more! There's also a pair of cool Art Nouveau nature illustrations. To check them out, please go to: Rob's eBay Auctions Thanks for looking and take care. Best, Rob

Wow! Thanks so much! I really appreciate the research and help. And images! Thanks again. Best, Rob

1) As many folks have said, but what you like/love. If you love the piece, even if you decide to sell or trade it at some point, someone else will love it. 2) Don't worry too much about what is popular. See #1. Buy what you like/love. Best, Rob

Hi All, I've recently picked up the pages below from Anthony Snyder. Anthony had them listed on his site as a DPS, but I have my doubts about that, as the action on the two pages doesn't appear to connect. Anthony also did not know where the pieces were published and I'm hoping that one of you eagle-eyed Nino fans might now something about the page(s). Thanks in advance! Best, Rob

Hi All, I've got five new eBay art auctions up and running, with work by Gene Colan, Roy Crane, Paul Maybury, Edwina Dumm and Clifford McBride. To check them out, please go to: Robart's eBay Auctions Thanks and take care. Best, Rob

Hi Everyone, I have five new pieces of art up and running on eBay, including work by Michael Kaluta, Dave Cooper and Phil Mendez. To check them out, please click Robart's eBay Auctions Thanks for looking and take are. Best, Rob