Heading:
Author: Crumb, Robert
Title: R. Crumb Handwritten Letter to Marty Pahls, September 14, 1974, Three Sheets
Place Published:
Publisher:
Date Published:
Description:

Three-sheet letter measuring 6x9", hand-written by Robert Crumb in black ink in a neat and tiny script on lined note paper, both rectos and versos densely packed with text, dated September 14, 1974 with a dateline of "Box 1035 / Winters / California / – 95694." Signed "R.C." Excellent condition, original folds, with an inky fingerprint at the bottom of the first page, presumably Crumb's, and a modern notation by Crumb in ink: "Envelope postmark: Sept. 14, 1974." Provenance: From the Collection of R. Crumb, who explains: "I got these letters back after [Pahls] died in 1989, found among his possessions." Note: This letter is not collected in Fantagraphics' "Your Vigor For Life Appalls Me: Robert Crumb Letters, 1958-1977."

"For all practical purposes, Aline is living here with me now."

A lengthy letter from Crumb to Marty Pahls, filling six sides of paper from border to border. The letter is packed with personal revelations about future wife Aline Kominsky, who Crumb reveals has just moved in with him: "For all practical purposes, Aline is living here with me now. But it's alright... it's not bad... she's a sensible girl and leaves me be in most instances... she stays off my case, and we get along pretty well."

Crumb briefly and chillingly hints at horrors: "Nothing ever came of Terry's involvement with that twelve-year old... He chickened out or she did, or somethin.'" Next comes a brawl between Crumb and his sister Sandra ("Sandra is sitting in the corner getting morose and drunk on the beer that I bought for her.... She starts giving me dirty looks and then she starts hassling me about money... Why don't I give her money? I'm a rich capitalist chauvinist pig.... She's a mooch and a bum.... The next thing I know, I turned around just in time to see her smash [my] banjo down on the edge of a table.... I went crazy.... I kept pounding her on the head and yelling at her in rage and vexation till Maxon pulled me off of her.... It was awful."

A limited edition of 100 softcover and 15 hardcover catalogues are available. Over 200 pages, fully illustrated. Fun reference, great keepsake. Softcovers $40, dust-jacketed hardcover with limitation plate $200. To order, contact ivan@pbagalleries.com or call 415-989-2665

R. Crumb says, "I found [PBA's catalogue] so interesting that I am saving it for the texts that accompany the comics which were put up for auction. This is some of the best commentary I've yet seen on the quality of the content of comic books. I especially enjoyed the reviews of the post-war horror comics. Great. Priceless."

Consignments welcome for PBA's Spring 2021 Comic Book sale. Pre-Code Horror, Golden Age and Silver Age comics, original art and ephemera sought. Send inquiries to ivan@pbagalleries.com or call 415-989-2665