Popeye
c1950s–1960s. Painted plaster figure with wooden pipe, 36.5 x 7.5 x 8cm. Slight surface loss to paint, some retouching, repaired crack to shoulder area, replacement pipe. Popeye the Sailor Man is a cartoon character created by Elzie Crisler Segar, first appearing on 17 January 1929 in the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre. “When Segar began his career as a cartoonist, he took inspiration from those around him. His most popular character, Popeye the Sailor Man, was no exception. His creation was inspired by a man named Frank ‘Rocky’ Fiegel (1868–1947), with whom he shared the same appearance and personality. Born in Poland, Fiegel immigrated to the United States with his parents, who settled down in Chester, a small town in Illinois, where Segar also lived. Fiegel had a 20-year career as a sailor in the Merchant Marines. Later he became a ‘bouncer’ at Wiebusch’s Tavern in Chester and earned a reputation for getting into fights, which he mostly won. Subsequently, he got a deformed eye (pop eye). Always smoking a pipe, Fiegel spoke out of one side of his mouth. While working at the bar, Fiegel entertained the customers with exciting stories of adventures he claimed to have had over his career as a sailor crossing the ‘Seven Seas.’ Segar, who grew up in Chester, would sit for hours at the tavern listening to Fiegel’s amazing ‘sea stories.’ Later when he became a cartoonist, Segar got permission from Fiegel to model his new comic strip character, ‘Popeye the Sailor Man,’ after him.” Over the years, Segar gave a small percentage of what he earned to Fiegel from his ‘Popeye’ illustrations. Segar stated that Popeye’s girlfriend, ‘Olive Oyl,’ was also based on an actual person – Dora Paskel (1872–1953) who was an “uncommonly tall, angular lady” who ran a general store in Chester. Ref: US Coast Guard Auxiliary website; Wiki; findagrave.com. This sculpture has a more refined finish and shape compared to other works from this period.
Item #CL208-37
Price (AUD): $1,100.00 other currencies