SUPERMAN JERRY SIEGEL DESTITUTE LETTER Memorabilia
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Superman Co-Creator Jerry Siegel Signed "Shame" Letter Attacking National Comics Executives
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Superman Co-Creator Jerry Siegel Signed "Shame" Letter Attacking National Comics Executives
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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 "Shame" Letter Attacking National Comics ExecutivesThis troubling signed letter from Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel exposes the internal drama as the writer began a poison-pen campaign against executives at National (later DC) Comics. The embittered Siegel--who, with artist Joe Shuster, sold the rights to Superman for $130 in 1938--sent letters to National's business associates in a bid to shame the company (and its distributor) by blasting them for leaving Siegel "destitute" and "on an involuntary hunger strike."
The holiday-themed missive seen here was mailed in late Nov. of 1951, with Siegel noting that it's the season to "think of the plight of the less fortunate." Siegel notes, however: "There is no joy in my house. Millions for the owners of Superman. Misery for his creator."
Instead of finding support, Siegel seems to have motivated National's associates to reach out to the company. In addition to Siegel's original signed letter, this lot includes a memo (dated Dec. 3, 1951) from George R. Klein, president of the Geo. R. Klein News Company.
"I do not know whether you know about this letter or not," Klein writes to Paul Sampliner, "but I thought you should know about it." National executive Sampliner was also a founder of Independent News--accused of living "in a swanky hotel" while Siegel and his wife were in a "crowded apartment without funds." Along with National executives Harry Donenfeld and Jack Liebowitz, Sampliner's home address is included in the original letter.
Superman Co-Creator Jerry Siegel Signed "Shame" Letter Attacking National Comics ExecutivesThis troubling signed letter from Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel exposes the internal drama as the writer began a poison-pen campaign against executives at National (later DC) Comics. The embittered Siegel--who, with artist Joe Shuster, sold the rights to Superman for $130 in 1938--sent letters to National's business associates in a bid to shame the company (and its distributor) by blasting them for leaving Siegel "destitute" and "on an involuntary hunger strike."
The holiday-themed missive seen here was mailed in late Nov. of 1951, with Siegel noting that it's the season to "think of the plight of the less fortunate." Siegel notes, however: "There is no joy in my house. Millions for the owners of Superman. Misery for his creator."
Instead of finding support, Siegel seems to have motivated National's associates to reach out to the company. In addition to Siegel's original signed letter, this lot includes a memo (dated Dec. 3, 1951) from George R. Klein, president of the Geo. R. Klein News Company.
"I do not know whether you know about this letter or not," Klein writes to Paul Sampliner, "but I thought you should know about it." National executive Sampliner was also a founder of Independent News--accused of living "in a swanky hotel" while Siegel and his wife were in a "crowded apartment without funds." Along with National executives Harry Donenfeld and Jack Liebowitz, Sampliner's home address is included in the original letter.