SUPERMAN JERRY SIEGEL DESTITUTE LETTER Memorabilia
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Superman Co-Creator Jerry Siegel Signed Letter Pleading To National Comics Executives: "My Fate is in Your Hands"
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Superman Co-Creator Jerry Siegel Signed Letter Pleading To National Comics Executives: "My Fate is in Your Hands"
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A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
Superman Co-Creator Jerry Siegel Signed Letter Pleading To National Comics Executives: "My Fate is in Your Hands"This troubling signed letter from Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel put a (very brief) end to one of the most vicious feuds in comics history -- as Siegel attempts to calmly reach out to the executives of National Comics after blasting them in an explosive poison-pen mail campaign.
This lost letter -- dated Dec. 19, 1951 -- was originally sent to National executive Jake Liebowitz, but is also addressed to comics pioneers Harry Donenfeld and Paul Sampliner-- who'd Siegel had earlier targeted for making millions after paying him and artist Joe Shuster $130 for the rights to Superman in 1938. Here, however, Siegel attempts a more pleading tone after a possible intervention.
Having earlier publicly accused the three of "illegal, unjust acts," Siegel addresses them as "Gentlemen," and begins: "I have recently been blowing my unhappy top, not because you or I are either saints or sinners, but because I have created successful properties and am now facing economic destruction."
This pleading letter also reveals that Siegel had been involved in what he calls "prolonged discussions" with notoriously ruthless comics attorney Dave Alterbaum, as well as Dr. Samuel Faigin--a noted Jewish academic who was active in counseling within the community. Dr. Faigin is even :cc'd in the correspondence. The attempt to reach out would do little to change Siegel's situation, however, and he would later return to blasting National executives with angry letters.
Superman Co-Creator Jerry Siegel Signed Letter Pleading To National Comics Executives: "My Fate is in Your Hands"This troubling signed letter from Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel put a (very brief) end to one of the most vicious feuds in comics history -- as Siegel attempts to calmly reach out to the executives of National Comics after blasting them in an explosive poison-pen mail campaign.
This lost letter -- dated Dec. 19, 1951 -- was originally sent to National executive Jake Liebowitz, but is also addressed to comics pioneers Harry Donenfeld and Paul Sampliner-- who'd Siegel had earlier targeted for making millions after paying him and artist Joe Shuster $130 for the rights to Superman in 1938. Here, however, Siegel attempts a more pleading tone after a possible intervention.
Having earlier publicly accused the three of "illegal, unjust acts," Siegel addresses them as "Gentlemen," and begins: "I have recently been blowing my unhappy top, not because you or I are either saints or sinners, but because I have created successful properties and am now facing economic destruction."
This pleading letter also reveals that Siegel had been involved in what he calls "prolonged discussions" with notoriously ruthless comics attorney Dave Alterbaum, as well as Dr. Samuel Faigin--a noted Jewish academic who was active in counseling within the community. Dr. Faigin is even :cc'd in the correspondence. The attempt to reach out would do little to change Siegel's situation, however, and he would later return to blasting National executives with angry letters.