beyond the blog

Old posts from mailing lists, usenet, and my website before I started using scripts and backend software to manage the content and eventually realized I was blogging, plus posts from any time that I’ve transferred here from other services (Instagram, Facebook, etc.).

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So this bust of Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman is something I brought home from Alaska after Dad died. He had it on his desk for years, and now I have it near mine.

I got curious (after watching a little Antiques Roadshow) and did some Googling to see what I could find out about it.

Turns out these busts were modeled by the original designer of Alfred E. Neuman, artist Frank Kelly Freas (also well known for his sci fi artwork). They were sold through the magazine starting with issue 53 (March 1960), and were available in two sizes, either 3.75” tall for $1, or 5.5” tall for $2. This is the larger size.
Apparently the larger size is more rare, and I’ve found auction prices ranging from $125 to $400 (not that I’m planning on selling mine – not only is it a nice memory of Dad, but now I know that it’s been in the family for around 57 years…that makes it an heirloom, right?). Just neat to know a little bit more about this silly (or creepy, according to Prairie) bit of kitsch.

#madmagazine #alfredeneuman #bust #statue #antique #whatmeworry #frankkellyfreas #kellyfreas