Sheldon Mayer Comic Art: Values & How to Sell
To auction, sell or consign your Sheldon Mayer original comic art, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
Who Was Sheldon Mayer?
Sheldon Mayer was a comics artist, writer and editor. Almost all of his work was done for the company that would be later called CD Comics. He’s best known for the comic strips “Sugar & Spike”, “The Three Mouseketeers” and “Scribbly the Boy Cartoonist”, which is semi-autobiographical. Mayer was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1992.
Some Sheldon Mayer Comics We’ve Sold:
“Scribbly” Comic Art From 1939 — Sold for $29,845
Original ”Scribbly” artwork hand-drawn by comic pioneer Sheldon Mayer, published in ”All-American Comics” #6 from September 1939, and then reprinted in ”The Greatest Golden Age Stories Ever Told” (DC, 1990). These iconic four pages of Scribbly appeared as four complete stories in the #6 issue, chronicling Scribbly Jibbet’s journey of getting hired as a 13 1/2 year old boy cartoonist, a storyline based on Mayer’s own experiences in the comic book industry during the early 1930s. Four large pages each measure 14” x 17”, signed by Mayer on each page, and also signed ”by Scribbly” on the single-panel topper ”Why Big Brudders Leave Home”, the title of Scribbly Jibbet’s series. Mayer also writes a note on the margin of the first page to color match the 1939 #6 issue. Mild wear, overall in very good to near fine condition. From the Sheldon Mayer estate. Sold for $29,845.
Original “Sugar and Spike” Comic Book — Sold for $19,889
Complete issue comprised of twenty-six pages of original ”Sugar and Spike” comic art hand-drawn by creator Sheldon Mayer, from the June 1958 issue #16. Pages include the stories ”How They Began (A Request Number)” (6 pages complete), ”Doll-Boy and the Boy Dolly” (6 pages complete), ”Pint-Size Pin-Ups” with a Batman costume for Spike (2 pages complete), ”The Picnic” (4 pages complete), ”Scribbly’s Cartoon Corner” (1 page complete), ”Spike Rebels” (6 pages complete), and ”The Eating Machine” (1 page complete). Additional copied pages for ”Play Ladder” and ”Rudy Riddles” (which weren’t drawn by Mayer) are also included. Large pages of original artwork by Mayer each measure approximately 12.5” x 21” on thick illustration paper, all with ”Comics Magazine Code Authority” approved stamp at bottom. Also with DC Comics header at top of most pages, and signed or initialed by Mayer throughout. Pages are near fine with exception of slightly larger Scribbly page which has some toning, chipping to left edge and 1.25” closed tear to right edge. From the Sheldon Mayer estate. Sold for $19,899.
Original 1958 “Sugar and Spike” Comic Book — Sold for $16,444
Complete issue comprised of twenty-six pages of original ”Sugar and Spike” comic art hand-drawn by creator Sheldon Mayer, from the February 1958 issue #13. Pages are filled with plenty of adventures for our pair, including their first snowball fight, discovering the yo-yo, and a wonderful day of sledding. Pages include the stories ”The Big New Word Mystery” (6 pages complete), ”The Yo-Yo Mystery” (1 page complete), ”First Snow-Ball Fight” (4 pages complete), ”Pint-Size Pin-Ups” (2 pages complete), ”The Substitute Mommie” (6 pages complete), ”The Wonderful Day!!” (6 pages complete), and ”Write Your Own Comic Page!” (1 page complete). Large pages of original artwork by Mayer each measure approximately 12.5” x 21” on thick illustration paper, most with DC Comics header at top. Several pages are also signed or initialed by Mayer. Light wear, overall in very good to near fine condition. From the Sheldon Mayer estate. Sold for $16,444.
Hand-Drawn ”Sugar and Spike” Comic Book — Sold for $16,444
Complete issue comprised of twenty-six pages of original ”Sugar and Spike” comic art hand-drawn by creator Sheldon Mayer, from the April 1958 issue #15. Pages include the stories ”Mommies Must Be Managed” (6 pages complete), ”The Tail of the Tick-Tock” (1 page complete), ”Beatin’ Eatin”’ (6 pages complete), ”Pint-Size Pin-Ups” (2 pages complete), ”Shirley the Sheep-Dog Rides Again” (4 pages complete), ”Write Your Own Comic Page!” (1 page complete), and ”First Train Ride” (6 pages complete). Additional copied page for ”Bulls Eye” (which wasn’t drawn by Mayer) is also included. Large pages of original artwork by Mayer each measure approximately 12.5” x 21” on thick illustration paper, all with ”Comics Magazine Code Authority” approved stamp to versos. Also with DC Comics header at top of most pages, and signed or initialed by Mayer on several pages. Light wear, overall in very good to near fine condition. From the Sheldon Mayer estate. Sold for $16,444.
Hand-Drawn ”Sugar and Spike” Comic Book — Sold for $16,444
Twenty-six pages of original ”Sugar and Spike” comic art hand-drawn by creator Sheldon Mayer, from the February-March 1959 issue #21, released on 18 December 1958 and with Santa Claus content as a result. Pages include the stories ”Santa’s Tough Day” (6 pages complete), ”Don’t-Touch-Thing” (4 pages complete), ”Write Your Own Comic Page!” (1 page complete), ”Pint-Size Pin-Ups” (2 pages complete), ”The Time the Trees Got Undressed” (6 pages complete), ”The Rope” (1 page complete), and ”The Flying See-Saw” (6 pages complete). Large pages of original artwork by Mayer each measure approximately 12.25” x 19” on thick illustration paper, some with partial ”Comics Magazine Code Authority” approved stamp to versos. Also with DC Comics header at top of most pages, and signed or initialed by Mayer on several pages. Fist page in two sections due to changes by Mayer. Light wear, overall in very good to near fine condition. From the Sheldon Mayer estate. Sold for $16,444.
Hand-Drawn ”Sugar and Spike” Comic Book — Sold for $16,444
Complete issue comprising twenty-eight pages of original ”Sugar and Spike” comic art hand-drawn by creator Sheldon Mayer, and signed by him throughout. Pages are from issue #22, the April-May 1959 book featuring the stories ”A Visit to Daddy’s Office” (6 pages complete), ”Write Your Own Comic Page!” (1 page complete), ”Little Arthur Strikes Again!” (7 pages complete), ”Pint-Size Pin-Ups” (2 pages complete), ”Billy the Borrower” (6 pages complete), and ”Sugar’s Big Invention” (6 pages complete). Large pages of original artwork by Mayer each measure approximately 13.25” x 19” on thick illustration paper. Most pages have DC Comics header at top, and an additional copied page for ”Hey! Look at Our Mail!” is also included. With Mayer’s partial stamp on verso of most pages, as well as the partial stamp of ”Comic Magazine Code Authority” to several pages. Closed tear of approximately 1.25” to margin of first page, overall in very good condition. From the Sheldon Mayer estate. Sold for $16,444.
Hand-Drawn ”Sugar and Spike” Comic Book — Sold for $12,021
Nineteen pages of original ”Sugar and Spike” comic art hand-drawn by creator Sheldon Mayer, from the October 1957 issue #11, including a Halloween themed story where the two toddlers try to figure out why they’re wearing ”funny clothes”. Pages include the stories ”New Method” (1 page complete), ”The Indoor Ocean” (6 pages complete), ”Pint-Size Pin-Ups” (2 pages complete), ”Trick or Treat” (4 pages complete), ”Write Your Own Comic Page!” (1 page complete), and ”Grown-Up Party!” (5 of 6 pages). Large pages of original artwork by Mayer each measure approximately 13” x 21” on thick illustration paper, a few with Mayer’s stamp on verso, and also with DC Comics header at top. Several pages are also signed or initialed by Mayer. Some buckling and light wear, with chipping and some discoloration to a few pages; overall in very good condition. From the Sheldon Mayer estate. Sold for $12,021.
Original Hand-Drawn ”Sugar and Spike” Comic Book — Sold for $11,663
Complete issue comprised of twenty-seven pages of original ”Sugar and Spike” comic art hand-drawn by creator Sheldon Mayer, from the June-July 1959 issue #23. Masterful at immersing readers in the wonder-ful world of children, ”Sugar and Spike” here introduces our hero-toddlers to movies, has them talk to a mouse and also includes a story with Little Arthur. Pages include the stories ”Tiny Visitor” (6 pages complete), ”Pint-Size Pin-Ups” (2 pages complete), ”First Movie” (6 pages complete), ”Write Your Own Comic Page!” (1 page complete), ”Sympathy!” (4 pages complete), ”The Mystery of the Flying Split-Peas” (7 pages complete), and ”New Gadget!” (1 page complete). An additional copied page for ”Hey! Look at Our Mail!” is also included. Large pages of original artwork by Mayer each measure approximately 12.5” wide x 18.75” to 21.5” long on thick illustration paper, with ”Comics Magazine Code Authority” approval stamps on verso. Also with DC Comics header at top of most pages, and signed or initialed by Mayer throughout. Some light wear, overall in very good to near fine condition. From the Sheldon Mayer estate. Sold for $11,663.
Sketchbook & Diary From 1935-1937 — Sold for $9,279
Incredible journal and sketchbook by comic pioneer Sheldon Mayer at the dawn of the Golden Age of Comics, from 1935-1937 when Mayer was working at companies that would ultimately become DC Comics, while also hustling to market his own strips like ”Scribbly” which he joyously recounts selling in this book. Journal is trademarked ”The Scribble-in Book”, giving clarity to the inspiration behind Mayer’s first commercial success with ”Scribbly the Boy Cartoonist”, and is also titled on the front cover by Mayer ”Sketch Book and Worthless Observations of Yours Trooly / 1935” with a self-portrait. The very first page is also a self-portrait of Mayer at his drawing table, signed ”Sheldon Mayer” at bottom and dated ”June – ’35” with ”Scribble In Book” written at top.
Sold for $9,279.
Original Sketches From The Early 1930s — Sold for $3,125
Collection of 18 sketches by comic icon Sheldon Mayer during the early 1930s when Mayer was still in high school. Beginning when he was barely a teenager, Mayer was being published in juvenile comic magazines and by this point, in his late teenage years, his maturity as a cartoonist was evident. These 18 sketches were possibly done for his high school newspaper, as several mention the tribulations of a student and one even mentions his school, the George Washington High School. Several sketches also poke fun at marriage, and trying to make a living as an artist. The first sketch, on artist board measuring 8.5” x 6”, is entitled ”Introducing Our Annexes”, which might have been an attempt at a high school comic book. One other sketch on board (measuring 9” x 6”) is about detention, and the other 16 sketches are on illustration paper, each measuring 9.5” x 6.25”. Each sketch is signed by Mayer, and some also have his doodles on the verso. Pinholes to corners and light toning to paper, overall in very good to near fine condition. Housed in a period envelope heavily doodled by Mayer. From the Sheldon Mayer estate.
Sold for $3,125.
Cover Artwork For “The Best of DC” #4 — Sold for $3,021
Gorgeous “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” cover artwork hand-drawn by Sheldon Mayer for “The Best of DC #4″ March-April 1980 issue, released for sale on 4 December 1979. Artwork measures 23″ x 16.75” with front cover art on right side, signed by Sheldon Mayer at bottom, and back cover art on left side, initialed by Mayer. Acetate overlay with titling is hinged at top. DC Comics copyright stamp on verso, along with Mayer’s stamp and indicia. Very good to near fine condition, with bright coloring. From the Sheldon Mayer estate. Sold for $3,021.
Hand-Drawn 1944 Calendar — Sold for $2,954
Fun artwork by ”Sugar and Spike” creator Sheldon Mayer, a hand-drawn calendar in the eventful year of 1944, when both of Mayer’s children were born. It was his children who inspired the antics of Mayer’s protagonists ”Sugar and Spike”, the babies who secretly communicated to each other in language indecipherable to adults. Colorful and lively ink and watercolor artwork on flexible illustration board measures 22.25” x 14.5”. Some edgewear and light discoloration, with heavier soiling on verso, but not detracting from the brightly colored content in very good plus condition. From the Sheldon Mayer estate. Sold for $2,954.
To auction, sell or consign your Sheldon Mayer original comic art, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my Sheldon Mayer comic art?
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What factors determine the value of Sheldon Mayer comic art?
The value of your Sheldon Mayer art can vary based on condition and subject matter.