Comics: Gerda Gattel, Letterer, Proofreader, Production Manager, Editorial Assistant and Archivist

Gerda Gattel was born Sara Gerda Hammerschlag, a German national, on October 28, 1908, in Lichtenstein, according to a family tree at Ancestry.com. During World War II she was in England. Her full name and birth information was recorded on the card, Female Enemy Alien—Exemption from Internment—Refugee, which had Gerda’s address as “18, Raglan Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham”. She had been a “Radio Kindergarten Teacher and Private Secretary” and was currently unemployed as domestic help. On October 13, 1939 Gerda was exempted from internment because of ”Nazi oppression”.

In September 1945, Gerda married Gerhard Julius Gattel at Henley, Suffolk, England.

Gerhard was a German emigrant who arrived in New York City on September 22, 1938. According to the 1940 U.S. Federal Census, he resided with his uncle, Martin Gattel, in Brooklyn at 803 Beverly Road. Gerhard was a mechanic and had filed a naturalization application.

On October 16, 1940 Gerhard signed his World War II draft card which said he was born on January 18, 1912 in Chemnitz, Germany. He lived at 245 Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. Gerhard enlisted in the army October 19, 1942, and became a naturalized citizen on June 17, 1943 in Louisville, Kentucky. At some point he was stationed in England where he met and married Gerda.

In April 1946 Gerda was set to join Gerhard in the United States. The British manifest said she was a British citizen and her U.K. address was ”Great Oaks, Goring Heath, Pangbourne, Nr. Reading, Berks.” She was the “Dependent of: T/5 Gerhard Gattel, ASN 32534331, US Army. 117 Midwood St., Brooklyn 25, New York.” Aboard the M.S. John Ericsson, Gerda arrived in New York City on April 29. 

Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999 said Gerda was a letterer in the production department of Timely Comics (Marvel Comics) from 1947 to 1952. Information about her art training has not been found.

The 1948 Manhattan city directory listed the Gattel’s address as 86 Fort Washington Avenue and it was the same in 1960.

On February 7, 1949, Gerda became a naturalized citizen according to a document at Ancestry.com.

On June 26, 1952, Gerhard and Gerda were aboard the S.S. Liberte bound for Le Havre, France. The passenger list said they planned to be away for ten weeks. They returned aboard the Ile De France to New York on September 3, 1952. The passenger list recorded Gerhard’s occupation as clerk and Gerda’s as proofreader.

In Alter Ego #35, April 2004, Jim Amash interviewed Al Jaffee.

Jaffee: What about Gerda Gattel?

Jim Amash: I don’t know much about her, except she was in production, and after Timely let everyone go in 1957, she went over to DC Comics and had a long career there.

Jaffee: That’s right. I think she took over as head of the lettering department after Gary Keller left. I think she had some editorial duties, not to edit scripts, but as a traffic manager. in the 1950s, I brought in my “Patsy Walker” work to her when either Stan or his assistant Bonnie Hano wasn’t available. I think she retired as a traffic manager when she left DC.

I was very friendly with Gerda. She had survived the Holocaust. She was one of the children who was lucky enough to be accepted by Great Britain during the Kinder Transport of Jewish children over to London, right before they stopped it. She wound up in London and was a little bit older than us, so she regaled us with stories about being in London during the Blitz. Then she came over here. I don’t know of any other way to say this, but she was a hunchback, but still a very attractive woman. She was a very good letterer.

In Alter Ego #104, August 2011, Jim Amash interviewed Al Sulman.

Jim Amash: There was another lady there named Gerta [sic] Gattel.

Al Sulman: Gerta [sic] was on staff. She kept records of who was drawing what, and when it had to be finished... when it was time for publication. We knew when an issue had to be printed, and she kept track of who was drawing what, and made sure that they finished on time. She was an immigrant from Germany and spoke with a German accent. She was not a young woman, but she was a nice person.

Who's Who said Gerda was also a proofreader and production manager at Timely before moving to National Periodical Publications (DC Comics) in 1958. At National she was Irwin Donenfeld’s assistant from 1958 to 1968 and became production coordinator in 1968. Gerda was responsible for archiving the company’s publications.

In Alter Ego #56, February 2007, P. C. Hamerlinck wrote about Michael Uslan and said

In addition to Woodchucking, Uslan made time to become friendly with many of the DC staff. One in particular was Gerda Gattel. “She was one of the nicest ladies I’ve ever met in my life,” Uslan recalled. “I would talk to her about the old days at DC. At the time she was in charge of DC’s library. She knew how interested I was in comic book history. Most days around lunchtime Gerda would let me go into the library, and she would pull down volumes of books for me. Ultimately, over my summers with DC, I wound up reading every comic book they had ever published. I also had a chance to talk to Ira Schnapp, who had designed virtually every DC logo. He had refined Joe Shuster’s logo for ‘Superman.’ Amazing people … it was a phenomenal time to be there.”

The June 1973 Academy of Comic Books Arts Newsletter published a photograph of Neal Adams and Gerda who presented the 1972 Best Letterer Award to John Costanza. Below are details of pages two, four and five.

The June 1973 newsletter was reprinted in its entirety in Alter Ego #143, November 2016.

Gerda retired in 1973. The Social Security Death Index said she passed away May 14, 1993 and was laid to rest at Fresh Pond Crematory and Columbarium. Gerda’s death notice was printed Aufbau, June 6, 1993. Gerhard passed away January 18, 2002.

Further Reading
Paul Levitz: A Moment In The DC Library


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Ben Oda

Joe and Sam Rosen
Ira Schnapp

Artie Simek

Zoltan and Terry Szenics

Irv Watanabe

(Next post on Monday: W.C. Fields Shorts)

Comics: Danny Crespi, Letterer

1975 Mighty Marvel Comic Convention Program

Daniel “Danny” Crespi was born on February 13, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York. His birthdate is from the Social Security Death Index and the birthplace is based on census records. Crespi’s parents were Turkish emigrants.

According to a passenger list at Ancestry.com, Crespi’s father, “J. Nessem Crespie”, a shoemaker, sailed on the steamship Floride from Havre, France on July 1, 1911 and arrived at the port of New York on July 11. In the column “Race or People” was written “Hebrew.” Another column asked for the name and address of the “nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came”. Nessem named his father, Daniel, who lived in “Angora, Turkey”. Today the city is known as Ankara. Nessem’s passage was paid by his brother, “Jacques D. Crespie”, the oldest of five siblings, who resided at 1196 Second Avenue in Manhattan. Both brothers made minor changes to their names.

On June 5, 1917 Crespi’s father, Nissim Crespi, and uncle, Jacob Crespi, signed their World War I draft cards. Nissim was employed at a paper box manufacturer. Jacob, later known as Jack, was a porter at the Colonial Hotel. They resided in Manhattan at 75 East 110 Street. (A family tree at Ancestry.com said Jack had a son named Daniel, 1918–2015).

Nissim has not yet been found in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census.

According to Crespi’s Social Security application, his mother was Sarah Asher. Crespi’s parents obtained a marriage license in Manhattan on September 30, 1920. They married in Brooklyn on October 4, 1920 according to the New York, New York, Marriage Certificate Index at Ancestry.com. At some point Nissim adopted the name Sam.

The 1925 New York state census recorded Sam, Sarah, Sam’s daughter and mother, both named Rachel. They lived in Brooklyn at 622 Junius Street.

The same address was in the 1930 census. The household included Crespi, his parents and sister. Crespi’s father owned a shoe repair store.

On August 4, 1928, Crespi’s father filed an naturalization application. His Petition for Citizenship was approved June 28, 1932 in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of New York at Brooklyn. At the time, the Crespi family resided at 668 Georgia Avenue.

“A Journey Through Time”: Portraits of the American Jewish Family and the American Sephardic Jewish Family (1993) published the wedding photograph of Mary Asher and Israel Elias, who married on june 18, 1932. Young Crespi and his parents are in the picture.

According to the 1940 census, the family moved to the Bronx after 1935. The Crespi family’s address was 447 Claremont Parkway. That address was also on Crespi’s father’s World War II draft card which was signed on April 27, 1942.

During World War II, Crespi enlisted in the Army Air Corps, at Fort Dix, New Jersey, on April 17, 1944. According to Crespi’s veteran’s file, he was discharged May 2, 1946.

Crespi’s art training was at Burne Hogarth’s Cartoonists and Illustrators School. (I contacted Todd Klein, who contacted Nel Yomtov, a relative of Crespi, who said Crespi used the G.I. Bill to enroll in 1946 or 1947.)

Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999 said Crespi’s comic book lettering career began at Timely Comics in 1948. In 1957, most of the Timely staff was disbanded. In Comics Interview #9, March 1984, D. Jon Zimmerman asked Crespie what he did next.

Danny: I began doing freelance lettering.

Z: In comics?

Danny: No, in advertising. I told myself, “To Hell with comics—it must be dying if a big company like Timely can close up.” I went to art studios doing board work and paste ups, then went to the presentation department of BBD&O and did Speedball lettering for them for 12 years.

In John Romita and All That Jazz! (2007), Jim Amash interviewed Romita and asked about Crespi. Romita said

Danny Crespi goes back even before I got there. He was working at the Empire State Building as one of the letterers during the Timely days. And then he wasn’t working with Stan for years, and all of a sudden he was back in the Bullpen again….

Who’s Who said Crespie returned to comics in 1969. However, in Comics Interview, Crespie said, “Well, about twelve years ago [1972] I called up Morrie Kuramoto—I don’t talk to him that often and once every twelve years is enough. (Laughter.) I didn’t even know if he was still working at Marvel, but I heard he was. I asked if he had any work for me. He said, “Hey, man, I can use a hand. Come on down!’”

The New York City, Marriage License Indexes, at Ancestry.com, said Crespi and Rosalyn R. Jaffe obtained a Bronx marriage license 1952. Their daughter, Susan, also worked for Marvel in the early 1990s and may still be there.

Crespi passed away May 30, 1985, according to his veteran’s file. The Social Security Death index said his last residence was the Bronx. Crespi’s father’s death was on September 3, 1992. His oral history was recorded March 13, 1991. Crespi’s mother died October 15, 2002. The death of Crespi’s wife was on October 14, 2013. All were laid to rest at New Montefiore Cemetery.

Marvel comic books dated December 1985 had Jim Shooter’s tribute to Crespi in the “Bullpen Bulletins”.

The Comics Journal #101, August 1985, said “Crespi came on staff at Marvel in 1972 as the head letterer, having been a freelance letterer since the 1950s. In 1978, he became the assistant production manager, working closely with John Verpoorten. When Verpoorten died, Crespi became the coordinator for the art and production departments. Since then, Crespi became the central figure responsible for day-to-day operations in the Bullpen.”


Further Reading and Viewing
Todd’s Blog, The Danny Crespi Files

Eliot R. Brown
April 18, 1982, The Marvel Wack-Offs!
Danny Crespi and Stu Schwarzberg, 1979
Danny Crespi and Lenny Grow, March 1979

Scott Edelman
Marie Severin’s ’70s Marvel Bullpen map: “As for The Turk, I can’t say 100% for sure, but I believe that referred to then assistant production manager Danny Crespi….”
Cook Danny Crespi’s ribsClem Robins

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(Next post on Monday: Trademarks, September 8, 1935)

Comics: Al Avison, Artist

Alfred Dean “Al” Avison was born on July 7, 1920, in Norwalk, Connecticut. The birth information is based on a transcription of Avison’s World War II draft card, at Ancestry.com, which also had his full name. The birth date was the same at the Social Security Death Index.

1920 United States Federal Census
Home: Perry Street, Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut
Name / Age / Occupation
Geo A Avison, 34, illustrator
Edith Dalton Avison, none
Geo Marshall Avison, 10, student
Mildred Leila Avison, 9, student
Anna G Ireland, 35, housekeeper
(census enumerated in January)

1930 United States Federal Census
Home: Riverview Drive RFD. Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut
Name / Age / Occupation
George Avison, 44, illustrator
Edith D Avison, 45, none
G Marshall Avison, 21, none
Mildred L Avison, 19, none
Alfred D Avison, 9, none

Stamford Advocate
(Connecticut)
May 10, 1937

Merrill Business Schools Conduct Festival, Friday
More than 300 students and guests attended the May Night Festival given by the faculty and pupils of the Merrill Business Schools at Hubbards Heights Club on Friday evening…

Guests and Merrill students from New York, Greenwich, Port Chester, Stamford, New Canaan, Ridgefield, the Norwalks, Darien and Wilton attended….

Avison was among the attendees.

New York Sun
June 13, 1938

Prizes Awarded at Pratt Institute
…Scholarships of $50 each, from a fund raised by student entertainments were awarded to seven students in the School of Fine and Applied Arts of Pratt Institute. The winners were chosen by competition. They are Erwin Liebig, architecture; John Shelley, industrial design; Richard Brunell, advertising design; Julius Svendsen, illustrations; Alfred Avison, illustration; Joseph Amisano, architecture; Charles Wagner, advertising design.

1940 United States Federal Census
Home: McKinley Street, Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut
Name / Age / Occupation
George A Avison, 54, artist
Edith Avison, 55, blank
George M Avison, 31, blank
Alfred D Avison, 20, blank

1940 Prattonia
page 54 (slide scroll bar to 56-57): Avison, Alfred Dean, Pic. Ill. III, Rowayton, Conn….Football ’38, ’39, ’40; Basketball ’38, ’39, ’40; Softball ’38, ’39, ’40; Ping Pong ’39, ’40; Social Contact Man; Artsmen Representative.

The New York Times
June 11, 1940

Pratt Institute to Graduate 660

Four Schools of the Brooklyn Institution to Award Diplomas at the Exercises Today

School of Fine and Applied Arts
Certificates
Illustration
Alfred D. Avison

Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999
Comic book career begins in 1940

World War II Army Enlistment Record
Name: Alfred D Avison
Enlistment Date: June 27, 1942
Enlistment Place: New York, New York
Education: 3 years of college
Civil Occupation: Commercial artists

Rome Sentinel
(New York)
September 17, 1945

Map Program to Deflate Japanese Ego
MacArthur Institutes Measures Designed to Emphasize Defeat
TOKYO—(AP)—Gen. MacArthur instituted today a broad American information program to convince every Japanese of the empire's defeat, of its war guilt, to eleminate [sic] militarism and to encourage democratic principles.

The direct information program will employ the Japanese press, radio and schools.

The Army forces in the Pacific Psychological Warfare Branch has been converted into an “information dissemination section” [IDS] under Brig. Gen. Bonner F. Feller, MacArthur’s military secretary.

…At the outset the information dissemination section will operate through the Japanese Board of Information, contacting representatives of Japanese publications, radio, movie distributors and schools.

…The planning group os headed by Capt. Arthur Behrsock, former Chicago newspaperman.

The IDS staff, in charge of the various departments, will be:
Education—Maj. Harold G. Henderson, on leave from Columbia University.
Movies—Robert Perkins, OWI who was born in Japan.
Chief of Releases—-Capt. Donald F. McCammon, formerly with the United Press in Chicago.
Radio—Capt. William Roth. Helena. Mont.
Pictures and Art—Lt. Alfred D. Avison, Norwalk, Conn.
Magazines—Capt. John R. Kennedy, Washington, D. C.
Nisei and Japanese Employees—Lt. Taro Tsukahara, San Francisco.
OWI Representatives—Bradford Smith chief of the OWI in Japan who spent five years here as a teacher and writer and served with the OWI at Honolulu; and David Conde….

Avison passed away December 30, 1984, in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Connecticut Death Index
Name: Alfred D Avison
Occupation: President
Industry: Avison Associates [advertising studio in New York]
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: July 7, 1920
Birth Place: Connecticut
Address: Homewood Lane
Residence: Darien, Connecticut
Death Date: December 30, 1984
Death Place: Norwalk, Connecticut
Age: 64 Years
Spouse: Marga
Father's Surname: Avison

Further Reading
The Scudder Association
Grand Comics Database
Timely-Atlas-Comics

Allen Bellman: The Interview
Michael J. Vassallo: What about Al Avison and Al Gabrielle?
Allen Bellman: They weren’t on staff when I was there. Either they predated me, were freelancers or worked strictly for Funnies Inc. and bypassed the staff completely in which case I would have likely missed them.

(Next post on Monday: Victor S. Fox, Businessman and Publisher)

Comics: Norman Steinberg, Artist

Norman Steinberg was born on August 14, 1923, in New York, New York. The birth date is from his grave marker. His birthplace was determined from the census.

In the 1925 New York state census, Steinberg and his parents, Irving and Henrietta, resided in the Bronx at 1696 Bathgate Avenue. Steinberg’s father was a Russian emigrant and salesman.

The 1930 U.S. Federal Census recorded Steinberg, his parents and sister, Charlotte, as Bronx residents at 1729 Fulton Avenue. Steinberg’s father was a manager at “Sheffield”, possibly the milk company.

Brooklyn was the home of the Steinberg family that included another daughter, Edna. They lived at 210 Roebling Street. Steinberg’s father was a retail candy salesman.

Steinberg was eighteen years old when he enlisted in the Army. He was attached to Company C, 2638th Quartermaster Truck Battalion of the Quartermaster Corps according to his military interment record. Steinberg was discharged September 22, 1943.

Joe Sinnott was interviewed in Alter Ego #26, July 2003. Sinnott, a student at the Cartoonists and Illustrators School (School of Visuals Arts), said

…There was an another fellow at the school, Norman Steinberg, who drew horses extremely well. We started doing a lot of the movie western stories for Tom [Gill], who was doing this work for Dell Publications. Tom drew and inked the heads, so it’d look like his work.

Tom was paying us very well, and I was on the G.I. Bill, so I’d been living on a shoestring before I started with him. Working for Tom was great because I was gaining experience. I was still attending school and worked for Tom at nights and weekends. Norman and I went over to Tom’s house on the weekends and worked….

Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999 said Steinberg was associated with the Tom Gill’s studio and was a partner in a studio with Syd Shores and Mort Lawrence. Steinberg’s comic books credits began in 1951.

Steinberg took his life on December 30, 1952. His suicide was reported in the Nassau Review-Star (Freeport, New York), December 31, 1952.

Father Loses Race To Save Son’s Life
A Seaford father lost a race against death yesterday when a Meadowbrook Hospital doctor pronounced his son “dead on arrival.”

Norman Steinberg, 29-year-old comic book artist, died of carbon monoxide poisoning, the physician said.

According to First Precinct, Police, Steinberg’s father, Irving, with whom he lived, discovered his son slumped over the wheel of his car parked in front of their home at 268 Wells [sic] Court at 7 A.M.

Police say the father found a vacuum cleaner hose attached to pipe fumes from the exhaust pipe into the car. He raced to Meadowbrook, steering with his left hand and pumping his son’s arm with his right hand. He had hoped this motion would pump air into his son’s lungs until he got to the hospital.

Police said the artist was broken-hearted over marriage difficulties.

The name of Steinberg’s wife is not known. Steinberg was laid to rest at Long Island National Cemetery.


(Next post on Monday: Al Avison, Artist)

Comics: Ed Winiarski, Artist

Edward C. “Ed” Winiarski was born on May 6, 1911, in Niagara Falls, New York. The birth date is from the Social Security Death Index, and the birthplace is based on census records. New York County Marriages, at Ancestry.com, said Winiarski’s parents were Julian Winiarski and Carolina Wasiewicz.

In the 1915 New York state census, Winiarski was the fourth of five children. He had three older brothers and a younger sister. Their father had a hardware business. The family resided in Niagara Falls at 1228 East Falls. The Winiarskis have not yet been found in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census. The Winiarskis were at 1220 East Falls in the 1925 state census.

Winiarski’s drawing was featured in the Buffalo Express, November 15, 1925.

The listings in the 1929 Niagara Falls city directory said Winiarski’s father passed away March 2, 1929. The Winiarski Hardware Company was operated by Winiarski’s brother, Theofil. Winiarski was a student.

According to the 1930 census, the Winiarski family was at the same address. Winiarski’s parents were identified as Polish emigrants.

Winiarski graduated from Niagara Falls High School. The 1931 yearbook, Niagarian, included several illustrations by Winiarski, who was an art editor on The Chronicle, a bi-monthly school publication. Winiarski did not have a senior photograph in the 1931 Niagarian.

Winiarski continued his education at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 8, 1934, reported the graduation at Pratt. Winiarski was in the School of Fine and Applied Arts’ Pictorial Illustration class. Two of his classmates were Lorence Bjorklund and Monroe Eisenberg, both future comic book artists.

The New York City, Marriage License Indexes, at Ancestry.com, recorded two people, Edward Winiarski and Rose A. Poida, who obtained a license in Manhattan on April 10, 1937. It’s not clear if the man is the same person of this profile.

Several sources said Winiarski worked in animation. Evidence of such work has not been cited. Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999 said Winiarski began working in comic books in the late 1930s. Winiarski produced art for National Comics and some of the stories were signed with the pseudonym, Fran Miller, which was the maiden name of his wife.

The Schenectady Gazette (New York), June 22, 1939, noted the marriage of Winiarski.

Winnearski [sic]-Miller
Announcement has been made of the marriage of Miss Frances Anna Miller of Plainville, Conn., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Miller of Myron street, to Edward Winnearskl of Brooklyn, on Friday in the Plainville Congregational Church. Miss Margaret Miller of this city was her sister’s only attendant. Both Mr. and Mrs. Winnearskl are graduates of Pratt Institute.

Winiarski and Frances graduated in 1934. Frances was in Teacher Training in Fine and Applied Arts department. Frances was born and raised in Schenectady, New York. Her parents were Bruce and Rosa. Frances graduated high school in 1931. After graduating Pratt, Frances moved to “Bronxville, to be an arts and crafts teacher in Brantwood Hall, a boarding school”, according to the Gazette, September 25, 1934.

1931 Shucis

In the 1940 census, Winiarski resided in Brooklyn at 400 Washington Avenue. His occupation was “fine artist” for a “magazine company”. Frances was not recorded with him. Her whereabouts is not known at this time.

Winiarski’s mother passed away in 1942.

Winiarski also worked for Timely Comics, from the early 1940s to the late 1950s. On August 14, 1942, a photograph of some of the Timely and Funnies Incorporated staffs was taken at the Hotel Astor. In the detail of the photograph below, from front to back, are Syd Shores, Winiarski with glasses, George Klein and Martin Goodman.

Alter Ego #13, March 2002, published Jim Amash’s interview with Dave Gantz who provided a photograph of the Timely bullpen at the Empire State Building. Pictured were Chris Rule, Barbara Clark Vogel, Gantz, Marcia Snyder, Mike Sekowsky and Winiarski. The photograph was taken in 1943 or later. Many of Winiarski’s credits are at the Grand Comics Database.

Winiarski’s caricature of Timely publisher, Martin Goodman, was reprinted in The Secret History of Marvel Comics: Jack Kirby and the Moonlighting Artists at Martin Goodman’s Empire (2013) on page 89. Winiarski’s self-caricature, from Krazy Komics #7, April 1943, can be viewed at Timely-Atlas-Comics.

The Gazette, January 15, 1945, noted the visit to Winiarski’s in-laws, “Mr. and Mrs. Edward Winiarski of Brooklyn with their son, Bruce Edward, are visiting Mrs. Winiarski’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce D. Miller of 1436 Myron street.”

At some point Winiarski moved to Queens Village, New York. The Gazette, November 19, 1968, reported the election of Winiarski’s wife as president of the New York State Association of Teachers of Mentally Handicapped. She was one of the founders of the organization. The article also mentioned she was a Queens Village resident, mother of two sons, and teacher of art and elementary school classes.

The Gazette, December 25, 1972, reported the passing of Frances’s father and said, “Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Rosa Lasher Miller; two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Cozine of Scotia, and Mrs. Frances A. Winiarski of Queens Village, L.I., and four grandchildren.” Her mother passed away in September 1975.

Winiarski passed away December 24, 1975, in Queens, New York. The date of his death was found at the genealogy site, Geni. The Social Security Death Index said Winiarski’s last residence was Jamaica, Queens County, New York. According to Frances’s second husband and childhood boyfriend, Waldo Arthur Runner, Winiarski suffered “a severe cardiac condition”. Winiarski was laid to rest at Clovesville Cemetery, the same cemetery as Frances’s parents.

Frances passed away November 26, 2007, in New Bern, North Carolina. Runner wrote the obituary that was published in the Sun Journal, November 27, 2007. Frances was laid to rest with Winiarski. 

(Next post on Monday: How to Read an Artist’s Edition)

Comics: Marcia Snyder, Artist

Marcia Louise Snyder was born on May 13, 1907, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The birth date is from the Social Security Death Index and the birthplace is based on her parents’ residence in Kalamazoo. Snyder’s full name appeared in the Kalamazoo Gazette (Michigan), June 13, 1921, and Florida death certificate. Snyder’s parents were Charles R. Snyder and Louise P. Underwood, who married on January 20, 1898 in Kalamazoo, according to the Michigan Marriage Records at Ancestry,com.

In the 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Snyder’s parents resided with her maternal grandparents, Theodore and Katherine Underwood, in Chicago, Illinois, at 6707 Wentworth Avenue. Snyder’s father was a clerk at a shoe store. Shortly after the census enumeration, Snyder’s parents moved to Kalamazoo. The first child of Snyder’s parents died shortly after birth in 1902. The couple lost their second child in 1906.

The 1907 and 1909 Kalamazoo city directories listed Snyder’s father as a clerk who lived at 219 West Cedar Street.

The 1910 census recorded Snyder, her parents and three-month-old brother David, and an aunt, Pauline, in Kalamazoo at 1007 South West Street. Snyder’s father was a shoe store salesman. In the 1917 city directory, Snyder’s father worked in the insurance industry.

The Gazette, May 11, 1919, reported the upcoming performance of the cantata, “Childhood of Hiawatha”. Snyder was one of the 150 children in the chorus that sang with the Chicago Symphony orchestra. Music News, May 30, 1919, published an article about the May Festival; Snyder was mentioned on page 15.

Snyder was a Girl Scout. An advertisement for three screenings of the Girl Scout film, “The Golden Eaglet”, appeared in the Gazette, December 4, 1919, and said Snyder was one of the scouts appearing in a short exhibition of camp life and first aid work. The March 28, 1920 edition of the Gazette said Snyder, of Troop 4, passed the invalid bed making test. 

The Snyder household and address remained the same in the 1920 census.

The Gazette, June 13, 1921, said Snyder would be one of twenty-nine students graduating the eighth grade of the Western Normal Training school on June 16. Snyder continued her education at Western Normal High School. Apparently, her school operated under the Kalamazoo Plan, a program for teaching art, which was examined in The School Arts Magazine, March 1922.

The 1924 Kalamazoo city directory listed student Snyder and her parents at 121 West Lovell Street.

Snyder graduated in 1925. Next to her senior photograph, in the Highlander yearbook, was this quote, “I love not man less, but art more.”

Snyder may have continued her art training at another institution such as the Kalamazoo School of Art, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and Western Michigan University.

The Journal of Proceedings of the Fifty-fourth Annual Convention of the Diocese of Western Michigan (1928) listed receipts for various services. Snyder submitted an invoice of six dollars and twenty-five cents for her signs. 

Sometime in the late 1920s, Snyder moved to New York City. The 1930 census recorded Snyder as a self-employed artist who had two roommates, Lucile Cameron, a department store saleswoman, and Emma Rayhon, a bank file clerk. The trio lived at 315 West 4th Street in Manhattan.

Snyder’s brother, David, a 1927 graduate, followed her to New York City. David’s marriage to Margaret Lusty was covered in the East Hampton Star (New York), June 9, 1933, which said, “A luncheon and reception was given by Miss Marion [sic] Snyder, sister of the groom, at her home in Greenwich Village immediately after the ceremony.”

King Features Syndicate produced a women’s page with columns about fashion, child-rearing, gossip, beauty advice, etcetera. The page included illustrations and photographs. Snyder produced artwork for at least three of these pages.

Long Island Daily Press, October 6, 1934

Long Island Daily Press, October 13, 1934

Long Island Daily Pres, October 31, 1934

The Field Guide to Wild American Pulp Artists has several of Snyder’s mid-1930s pulp illustrations.

Snyder’s mother passed away February 8, 1936 in Manhattan, New York City. On August 22, 1936 Snyder’s father married Myrtle L Russell in Kalamazoo.

Snyder has not yet been found in the 1940 census. A 1942 Manhattan telephone directory had a listing for an “M L Snyder” at 141 East 45th Street.

Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999 said Snyder found work at a number of comic book publishers and a comics studio.

Regarding the Binder studio, Women and the Comics (1985) said “Most of these women were inkers and most soon left comics, but two of them, Ann Brewster and Marcia Snyder, were pencillers as well. Both stayed in the industry long after the Binder shop closed in 1943, Brewster going on to spend almost two decades with the Iger-Roche shop...”

At the Sequential Tart site, Murphy Anderson was interviewed by Laurie J. Anderson. He recalled working at the publisher Fiction House, “When I started there they were all ladies, practically. There were only two or three males in there.”

ST: What were the ladies doing? Comic books?
MA: Oh yeah, oh yeah. There was Fran Hopper, she did a number of adventure stories for Planet Comics and all over. Lilly Renée who did their lead feature for Planet Comics. Oh, Ruth McCully was a letterer. Ruth Atkinson was an artist who worked there. Her brother happened to be a very prominent jockey; he was one of the top jockeys in the country at the time. And Marcia Snyder, she did a very heavy adventure-type of material.

Five pages of Snyder’s original art for Ranger Comics (Fiction House) can be viewed at Heritage Auctions.

In Alter Ego #11, November 2001, Jim Amash interviewed Vince Fago who was an artist, writer, and third editor-in-chief of Timely Comics. In 1943, Timely moved from the McGraw-Hill building to the Empire State Building. Amash asked about the move. Fago explained what happened and added, “Later, for $90 a week, I hired Marcia Snyder, an artist who had done newspaper strips. She dressed like a man and lived in Greenwich Village with a girlfriend named Mickey. I never thought about her being a lesbian; I didn’t care….” Amash interviewed artist Dave Gantz who shared a bullpen photograph that included Chris Rule, Barbara Clark Vogel, Gantz, Snyder, Mike Sekowsky and Ed Winiarski. The photograph was taken at the Empire State Building and published in Alter Ego #13, March 2002. Some of Snyder’s comic book credits are at the Grand Comics Database.

Snyder’s father passed away January 13, 1943 in Kalamazoo.

In the 1946 Manhattan telephone directory on page 1150, Snyder was a commercial artist who resided at 64 West 9th Street.

Women and the Comics said Snyder assisted Alfred Andriola on the comic strip, Kerry Drake, which was distributed by Publishers Syndicate. The strip began October 4, 1943. It’s not known when Snyder started assisting Andriola or how long she worked with him.

The East Hampton Star, July 31, 1947, noted Snyder’s visit with her brother in Amagansett, “Miss Marcia Snyder of New York City was entertained last week-end by Mr. and Mrs. David Snyder. Miss Snyder is a commercial artist and works with syndicates in the metropolitan area.” Snyder’s visit to Amagansett was noted in the East Hampton Star, June 2, 1949: “Miss Marcia Snyder of New York, sister of David U. Snyder, with a party of friends, spent the week-end at the Windmill.”

The 1960 Manhattan directory said Snyder still resided at 64 West 9th Street. It’s not known when she moved to Florida.

Snyder passed away in February 1976 according to the Social Security Death Index which said her last residence was Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida. At Ancestry.com, the Florida death index recorded Snyder as “Marsha Louise Snyder”, who was born “May 13, 1914”, and died February 27, 1976 in Dade County.


(Updated January 20, 2018; next post on Monday: Doctor Doletter)

Comics: Elmer “Tom” Tomasch, a Timely Artist

Elmer John “Tom” Tomasch was born on November 16, 1914, in Cleveland, Ohio, according to his Social Security application at Ancestry.com. His parents were John Tomasch and Julia Kosman, both Hungarian (1920 census) or Czechoslovakian (1930 census) emigrants.

1920 United States Federal Census
Home: 3477 West 126 Street, West Park, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Name / Age / Occupation
John Tomasch, 36, “cooper”
Julia Tomasch, 28, none
Elmer Tomasch, 5, none
Helen Tomasch, 7, none
(spelled “Thomash” by census enumerator)

1930 United States Federal Census
Home: 3477 West 126 Street, West Park, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Name / Age / Occupation
John Tomasch, 44, automobile blacksmith
Julia Tomasch, 38, none
Helen Tomasch, 16, none
Elmer Tomasch, 15, newsboy route
Jack Tomasch, 4, none
Olma Taub, 21, exchange operator

Biographical Dictionary of Kansas Artists (active before 1945) said Tomasch graduated from the Cleveland School of Art and Western Reserve University. He received his master’s degree from Kansas State College. Tomasch was a Cleveland public school teacher.

Cleveland Plain Dealer
(Ohio)
June 4, 1933
May Show at the Cleveland Museum of Art
Class of Illustration.
…Other strong exhibitors are Elmer Tomasch…

Cleveland Plain Dealer
June 2, 1935
May Show at the Cleveland Museum of Art
…Entrants from the teacher training classes were…Elmer J. Tomasch.

Missouri, Marriage Records
Name: Elmer J Tomasch
Spouse: Sadie M Pelkey
Marriage: November 22, 1939, Jackson, Missouri

The Lake Placid News
(New York)
December 8, 1939

Placid Figure Skater Weds Art Teacher
A shower and reception for Mr. and Mrs. Thomas [sic] Tomaseh was given recently by friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Pelkey upon the arrival of the bridal couple from Cleveland. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pelkey and was the former Miss Sadie Pelkey.

Both bride and groom took part at the New York’s World’s Fair. They plan to spend some time here before returning to Cleveland. Mrs. Tomaseh will continue her figure skating and her husband will also take up skating and skiing during his stay here. Among those attending the shower at which the couple received many attractive and useful gifts were: Mr. and Mrs. Frank LaBare, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Pratt, Louis Perry and Richard Charland of Standish, Miss Katharine Pelkey, sister of the bride, and Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Pelkey.

1940 United States Federal Census
Home: 4012 Franklin Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio
Name / Age / Occupation
Elmer J Tomasch, 25, public school art teacher
Sadie M Tomasch, 20, New York World’s Fair figure skater

Soon after the census enumeration in April, Tomasch moved to Lake Placid, New York, where Tomasch’s first son, Lyndon, was born on June 10, 1940. Also born in Lake Placid was Kim on July 14, 1947. Tomasch had a third son, Bret. The Biographical Dictionary of Kansas Artists said Tomasch taught at Lake Placid.

An obituary for Sadie said:

As a young woman, Mrs. Tomasch was a professional ice skater and skated with the Ice Capades. While skating at the 1939 World’s Fair, held in New York City, she met and later married Elmer J. Tomasch, a caricature artist also working at the World’s Fair….The Tomasch’s lived in New York City for several years before moving to Manhattan [Kansas] in 1947….

The Lake Placid News
July 12, 1940

Three Lake Placid students are enrolled in the summer school at Syracuse University, Miss Stella McKeown, Charles F. Lehman, Jr., and Elmer J. Tomasch.

The Lake Placid News
August 16, 1940

Among the house guests this week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Pelkey are: Mrs. John Tomasch and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Becker, all of Cleveland, O. They are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Tomasch who live at the Pelkey home.

The Lake Placid News
June 27, 1941

Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Tomasch left Monday for New York City where Mr. Tomasch will remain to attend summer school. Mrs. Tomasch will return later in the week.

The Lake Placid News
March 13, 1942

Junior Class Presents Play Tonight, ‘The Late Christopher’
…The set and stage background were designed by James Mulvey and the art director Elmer Tomasch….

The Lake Placid News
September 11, 1942

Miss Kate Pelkey returned Tuesday after spending a week at the home of her sister, Mrs. E.J. Tomasch in Astoria, L.I. [New York City’s Queens Borough] Returning with her was Mrs. Tomasch’s infant son, Lyndon, who will spend some time at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Pelkey.

Timely-Atlas-Comics
an excerpt from “Allen Bellman: The Interview”

Michael J. Vassallo: Who were some of your biggest artistic influences at Timely?
Allen Bellman: At Timely there was a guy named Tom Tomasch. He taught me a lot when I arrived. He was a short guy, very sophisticated and very nice. A real classy person. He even wrote a book on anatomy. [The ABC’s of Anatomy (1947)] He knew anatomy so well. He originally lived up in Lake Placid. His real name was, I think Elmer Tomasch but he was known as Tom. He would look over my work and correct me early on. Syd Shores was also a great help.

M: Was Tom Tomasch an artist or production person?
B: Tom was an artist and a darned good one at that. He knew his anatomy extremely well. He would make suggestions to me that helped me in my drawing.

The interview has Tomasch’s illustration for “Make Up Your Mind!” which was published in Miss America, Volume 1, Number 4, January 1945. Tomasch also illustrated “It’s Fun to Act” which was in the second issue of Miss America.

In Alter Ego #11, November 2001, Jim Amash interviewed Vince Fago, artist, writer and third editor-in-chief of Timely Comics. Amash asked, “Who else sticks out in your mind from Timely?” After naming several artists, Fago said, “There was a man named Thomas who did a lot of the Human Torch stories; he later became a teacher. I don’t remember anything else about him except he was German.” Fago described Tomasch whose name sounded like Thomas.

Alter Ego #33, February 2004, published “Viva Valerie! An Interview with ‘Glamorous Girl Inker’ Valerie (a.k.a.) Violet) Barclay”. The interview was conducted by Jim Amash who asked, “What do you remember about Syd Shores?” Barclay answered

“He was a very talented artist who did Captain America. He had another artist who worked with him who was a short, blond, Irish or English type of guy. I can’t think of his name now, but he used to take Syd Shores’ work and ink it. He had a tremendous knowledge of anatomy and would sharpen up muscles. Syd would pencil very roughly, and this man was a strong inker who’d tighten it all up.”
[Note: Vince Alascia isn’t the man Valerie Barclay was trying to recall. Anybody know who it might be?—Jim.]

I believe Barclay described Tomasch.

Biographical Dictionary of Kansas Artists said Tomasch joined the faculty at Kansas State University, Manhattan in 1947. Tomasch’s work was exhibited in Prairie Water Color Painters, Derby, England, 1948, and Kansas State University, 1978.

The Lake Placid News
April 30, 1948

Infant Death
Word has been received here of the death of the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer J. Tomasch of Manhattan, Kansas, and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson of Lake Placid and Mr. and Mrs. John Tomasch of Cleveland, Ohio. Also a niece of Mrs. C.J. Martin, lake Placid, and Helen Becker of Cleveland. Burial was in the Catholic cemetery in Manhattan.

The Lake Placid News
July 27, 1951

Tomasch Home Ruined in Flood
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Pelkey gave received word by radiogram and letter from their daughter, Mrs. Elmer Tomasch, telling of her family’s safety after being caught in the flood at Manhattan, Kan. It was the first news received from the family in three weeks. The flood ruined their home where seven feet of water still remained and the family was taken for refuge to the Kansas State College where Mr. Tomasch is professor of art.

Kansas State Collegian
November 14, 1951
page 8: Kansas Magazine Features Articles, Art by K-Staters

Kansas State Collegian
November 19, 1951
page 7: Ability to Sleep on the Job Pays Off for Models in Tomasch’s Art Classes

Kansas State Collegian
December 13, 1951
page 15: Catalogs, Bulletins Win First Prizes

Kansas State Collegian
February 4, 1952
page 3: Tomasch Is Brain Behind Artistry of Publications

The Lake Placid News
August 15, 1952

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Tomasch and children of Manhattan, Kan., are visiting Mrs. Tomasch’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Pelkey. Mrs. Tomasch and children will remain here during the winter while Mr. Tomasch studies for a master’s degree at New York University. During the week they made a brief trip to Cleveland to visit the mother of Mr. Tomasch, accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pfieffer of Manhattan, who drove east with them last Friday.

1952 Royal Purple
Kansas State College, Manhattan, Kansas
Tomasch contributed over 20 cartoons
page 140: “E.J. Tomasch, whose sketches appear throughout the book, handled all cartoon artwork in the 1952 Royal Purple and gave invaluable assistance in working out page layouts for the book.”

1954 Royal Purple
Kansas State College, Manhattan, Kansas

1955 Royal Purple
Kansas State College, Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State Collegian
May 9, 1957
page 1: German Arts to Highlight Weekend Festival Program

...Saturday’s schedule includes a gallery lecture at 2:30 p.m. on drawings and graphic arts being exhibited in the art lounge by E.J. Tomasch, assistant professor in the Architecture and Allied Arts department.

Kansas State Collegian
November 6, 1957
page 3: SU Displays Kansas Art

The Kansas Federation of Art is sponsoring a display of 16 paintings in the Union lounge. The paintings will remain there until November 10.

...Six of the paintings are by members of the K-State faculty.
The faculty members are Oscar V. Larmer, assistant professor of art; E.J. Tomasch, assistant professor of architecture; …

Kansas State College Bulletin
Volume 42, Number 11, 1958
Kansas Engineering Experiment Station
Bulletin 87, 1958
Creative Drawing
E. J. Tomasch

Kansas State Collegian
October 28, 1958
page 3: SU Kansas Mag Ready Soon for Stands

Kansas Magazine will soon make its yearly appearance on the newsstands. It contains 104 pages of literature and art produced mainly by Kansans and former Kansans. All of the works are appearing in ring for the first times.…Of the eight contributors of art, one is a K-State staff member—E.J. Tomasch of the Art Department.

Kansas State Collegian
November 20, 1958
page 1: SU Contemporary Italian Music Discussed by Prof Stratton

,,,E.J. Tomasch will give a demonstration of portraiture in the art lounge at 3:15 p.m….

1959 Royal Purple
Kansas State College, Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State Collegian
February 4, 1959
page 1: Art Not Appreciated, Claims Professor

…When he came here in 1947, this was his first college position. He had previously worked in New York City for the Martin-Goodman [sic] Publications….

The Salina Journal
(Kansas)
November 19, 1965
Sandzen Gallery Plans Reception 
Lindsborg—The Sandzen Memorial gallery at Bethany college will ”…also have a new show Sunday, a one-man show by E. J. Tomasch, Kansas State university. Prof. Tomasch is recognized for his work in figures and painting….”

The Manhattan Mercury
(Kansas)
February 23, 1966

K-State Art Professor Shows Negro Paintings
Paintings of the life of Negroes is being featured in a one-man show by Elmer J. Tomasch at The Barn Gallery, 8200 Mission Road, Prairie Village, that began Sunday through March 13. Tomasch, an associate professor of art at Kansas State University, is a pioneer in the emerging period of great art of today’s America.

Explains Tomasch: “The changing status of the Negro and his role in today’s society is one of our nation’s most pressing and challenging problems. Our newspapers, radios, and television networks keep us well informed with daily reports on the latest developments in civil rights. We are permitted to see Uie Negro in his marches, as he is engaged in sit-ins, as he boycotts stores and even as he riots.

“Yet there is another side to the Negro we barely know. The side which shows him as a man devoted to his family and as one who is capable of experiencing all emotions. It is this side of the life of Negroes I depict in the series of paintings currently being displayed.”

Tomasch studied at the Cleveland School of Art. He has exhibited at the Gallery Anjoy, New York City; The Ankrum Gallery and the Paul Rival Gallery in Los Angeles; and the Cleveland Museum of Art. He has had one-man shows in Manhattan, Lindsborg and Wichita. 

The Yellow Brick Road Trip
Johnny Kaw Statute – Manhattan, KS
“In 1966, Kaw was memorialized in a 30-foot, statue that cost $7,000 to build. He was designed by Elmer Tomasch, a member of the Kansas State University’s Art Department.”

Tomasch wrote A Foundation for Expressive Drawing which was published in 1969.

The Wichita Eagle (Kansas), October 19, 1969, reported the exhibition at the Birger Sandzen Memorial Art Gallery on the campus of Bethany College at Lindsborg, Kansas. The show included a painting or paintings by Tomasch.

The Manhattan Mercury
May 21, 1974

Earns Award
Bret Tomasch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Tomasch, 809 Juniper Dr., was presented the John Philip Sousa Band award at Manhattan High School recently. A flutist, Tomasch has been selected for both the band and orchestra the past three years by the Kansas Music Education Association. He is also the holder of six gold medals in state music competition.

Tomasch passed away May 12, 1977 according to the Manhattan Mercury.

Well-known KSU artist Elmer Tomasch is dead
Popular and prolific artist Elmer Tomasch, a member of the Kansas State University faculty for 30 years, died this morning at age 62 in Memorial Hospital. Death was attributed to natural causes. Final rites for one of the most versatile K-State Art Department members where he held the rank of associate professor will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Seven Dolors Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Carl Kramer as celebrant. Interment will be in Sunrise Cemetery. The Rosary will be recited for Mr. Tomasch at 7.30 p.m. Friday at the Parkview Funeral Home. Friends wishing to contribute to a memorial 'and for an art scholarship in Mr. Tomasch's name may leave donations at the funeral home.

Mr. Tomasch is survived by his widow Sadie, of the home on Route 5; three sons, Kim and Bret of the home, and Lyndon of Olathe; one sister, Mrs. Helen Becker of Charlotte, N.C.; and two grandchildren.

The artist whose works besides his paintings included numerous illustrations, caricatures and designs for such things as the Johnny Kaw statue in City Park had been a KSU artist member of the K-State art faculty since 1947. He gained reputation as an artist concerned with the use of the human figure. Man, through his eyes, was both idea and form, and he put his thoughts into his teaching and into [missing text]

(Next post on Monday: Herb Lubalin, Air Mail Stamps)