Posted 10 years ago
vintagelamp
(1101 items)
The above letter was written to Evelyn Nichols (actress "Abie's Irish Rose" and my cousin) by famous cartoonist Percy Crosby (1891-1964) in the 1920s. He drew a picture of his famous cartoon character Skippy just for Evelyn in this letter. Skippy had the popularity of the "Peanuts" comic strip back in his day. The following comes from the website of Mr. Crosby's wonderful daughter, Joan, who was kind enough to allow me to use the information and the photo of her father on the Find A Grave Site. Please visit her website, for this is a very interesting story:
During his career as a celebrity American artist and author, Percy Crosby crusaded against corruption and stood up to the likes of Al Capone and his henchmen when American citizens were too frightened to speak out. He used his Irish humor and gift of satire to lampoon politicians, President Roosevelt, the Ku Klux Klan, and fought for civil liberties, child labor laws, rights of veterans, and freedom of the press. Although he made a profound impression with millions of Americans, primarily through Skippy, the loveable and mischievous cartoon character who became a household word, Percy Crosby was unable to prevent retaliation by those who coveted control of Skippy for their commercial gain, and wanted him silenced. Percy Crosby was falsely imprisoned in a New York mental hospital for the last 16 years of his life. He died in the mental hospital on his birthday, December 8, 1964.
See www.skippy.com for more information
