Robert Crumb
Winters, CA, May 5, 1981
R. Crumb PSA MINT 9 ALS to Underground Photographer Charles Gatewood Re: "Weirdo" & Artistic Inspiration: "?Not too filthy, just funny and sexy"
ALS

An autographed letter signed by American cartoonist Robert Crumb (b. 1942) as "R. Crumb" at lower right. 1p, measuring 5.5" x 3.5", Winters, CA, dated May 5, 1981. Encapsulated by PSA/DNA and graded MINT 9 to the overall size of 4.25" x 7.25". Written on an unlined postcard and hand addressed to underground photographer Charles Gatewood (1942-2016) on verso. Scattered foxing throughout, with small pinhole at top left; darkened handling marks below addressee line, featuring various philatelic stamps. Very good to near fine overall with fantastic content.

In full:

"Dear Mr. Gatewood:
Yeah, you kin use my letters? I did yer photoes the most? Is it okay if I reprint some of 'em in my new magazine 'Weirdo'? I pay $25 a page for reprints and I'll plaster yer name on the page somewhere? Anyway, it's a possibility? Could you send me a copy of yer book, 'Forbidden Photos' when it comes out??
I'd send you a 'Weirdo' but I don't have any extra wons right now? I'm gettin' into using photos more? It's very technical and I've had to learn a lot, but I like doin' it? I'm into stuff like 'Titter' and 'Wink' and 'Eyeful', magazines like that, did in the forties- powerful photo humor using cute gals- not too filthy, just funny and sexy? It's hard to get it together, but I'm working on it?
Ain't got time to do you a drawing? I'm putting all energy into 'Weirdo' now (and also decorations for our local Mother's Day Dance)? Sorry? Lemme know about using your photos?
-R. Crumb
P.S. Thanks for copies for 'Flashes'- Very inspirational!"

"Weirdo" was a magazine-sized comic anthology created by Robert Crumb, which ran from 1981 to 1993 with a total of 28 issues. For the first three years of the magazine's publication, Crumb himself worked as its sole editor. He hints at this undoubtedly grueling schedule in this letter to Gatewood, noting his lack of time and resources. The relatively short-lived "Weirdo" series was an example of underground comics shaped by pulp and punk influences, experimenting with alternative comics formats such as using text-captioned photographs instead of hand-drawn illustrations.

The photography of Charles Gatewood, which showcased a range of subjects from rockstars and beatniks to sexual fetishes and body modification, would have made a fitting addition to Crumb's anthology.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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4.25" x 7.25" (slabbed)