Davis, Jack et al.

Original Uncut Cover Drafts: The Adventures of Fub (1969 Course Catalog)

Berkeley, CA, USA: Free University of Berkeley, 1969. First Edition. Single Sheets. The Free University of Berkeley (F.U.B.) was founded by Paul Goodman and Mario Savio in 1965 following the Free Speech Movement protest which took over the campus during the 1964-1965 academic year, led by Savio. This protest was the first mass act of civil disobedience on American college campuses in the 1960s though many more were to follow suit in support of various causes and goals. The students’ opposition to the regulated & restrictive education standard of traditional universities inspired the Free University phenomenon which began cropping up in different areas across the country, including here in Ann Arbor and Detroit, with a focus on underground activism, political education, and open exchanges of information. The UC-Berkeley campus was a hotbed of artistic and political expressions that reverberated across the country through a generation of young people who wanted things to be better. This poster represents the cover art for F.U.B.’s class catalog for the fall of 1969 which were artistically designed in different styles over the years. This design was created by illustrator and cartoonist of Mad magazine Jack Davis (1924-2016), and it features his signature cartoon style characterized by big heads, skinny legs, and large feet. He would go on to illustrate for record jackets, movie posters, books and magazines, including Time and TV Guide. It is unclear whether or not Davis is also responsible for the front cover since his signature is only present on what would be the back cover. Also included is a second unfinished print that is lacking the dimension and details of the first. Single sheets (appx. 17 1/2” x 23”): presumed first edition, first-&-only printings, as the course catalog would not be reproduced for any reason. This print was preserved by the influential American glass artist Marvin Lipofsky (1938-2016) from whose collection we obtained many art prints and exhibition posters. In relatively fine condition with only minor bumping to the fine edges and corners and minor dimpling to some areas. Faded blue ink is present along top edge of verso of first print that appears to be an imprint from another print for one of Lipofsky’s art exhibition as if it had been laid upon it before the ink was fully dry or somehow bled between sheets. Fine. [Item #7592]

Price: $75.00