Saturday, 9 April 2016

THE BAXENDALE LETTERS - PART ONE...


Click to enlarge, then click again for optimum size

Sometime back in 1977, I sent a letter to cartoonist LEO BAXENDALE, care of GERALD DUCKWORTH, to let him know how much I'd enjoyed his first WILLY The KID book.  It's likely that I already had the second book when I received an unexpected reply (above) to my letter from the great man himself.  I was slightly astonished  that he'd taken the time and trouble to respond to one lone Scottish fan, but appreciated the fact that he had.  Not that I think I was singled out for special attention - no doubt it was his custom to reply to fans as I think reader feedback was important to him.

I've had a few letters from Bax over the years, which I've still got.  Not that we were pen pals or anything, or that he considered me anything other than a fan and customer of several of his books, but back when I was assistant editor of The ILLUSTRATED COMIC JOURNAL, I had occasion to contact him a few times and he always took the time to courteously respond.  There's nothing 'confidential' about them, so I may post more of them in the future as no doubt they're bound to be of interest to other Leo Baxendale fans.

So keep your peepers peeled for pending posts of pertinent epistles.  And if you've ever received a letter from the legendary Leo (or met him, even), tell your fellow Criv-ites all about it in the captivating comments section.  Go on, get typing.  (Sadly, despite Leo's hopes, the third Willy book was the last one to see print so I assume sales weren't as expected.)
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4 comments:

  1. moonmando10 April 2016 at 10:26

    There is a man that likes to mention his Willy,quite a lot. Hmm...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kid10 April 2016 at 10:58

    If your willy looked like a turnip, so would you, Moony!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous10 April 2016 at 12:34

    Best ever quote from Margaret Thatcher: she was praising her deputy PM, William Whitelaw, and came out with the line "Every Prime-Minister needs a Willie". By the way, Kid, are you following all the Panama Papers controversy - it looks like cabinet ministers and MPs may be forced to reveal all their financial affairs... about time, eh ?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kid10 April 2016 at 12:58

    Not really following it, CJ ('though I'm aware of it), as it comes as no surprise to me. As for MPs declaring their financial affairs - well past time, I'd have said.

    ReplyDelete

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