Now Listen, Mabel: The value of a Quarter
Here’s “Now Listen, Mabel” from 10-27 to 11-6-1919. The theme is Office Rivalry for Mabel Millarky’s affections between Jimmie Doozinberry and his best pal, “Sam”. A Quarter was really a coin of value in those days, often the love struck swains would have to decide whether calling Mabel long distance in Prune Beach or being able to afford lunch was of the greater importance. “Sam” seems to always know his way around Mabel’s schedule and things like being kind to Mabel’s mother in the 11-6. Garge again anticipates Dagwood Bumstead’s early troubles with his rivals for Blondie’s affections in Chic Young’s “Blondie” in 1930. It’s been a long time since the old Catblog had a new post, I hope you enjoy it, readers. Remember to right-click the strips above and select, “Open image in new tab”. The strips will appear in a new window, open it, click on the strips displayed and you should see them larger. Remember that the daily comics of 1919 were displayed across the top of a very wide newspaper page, and took up 10 columns. That’s why there is so much more to read and look at then our contemporary comics, which are seldom more than three columns wide and are all crowded together on one page.
Paul Groh says:
There really is a Prune Beach, along Prune Bay on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. But I think in this case it’s meant to be a play on Plum Beach in Brooklyn. Before the Belt Parkway was built through it in the 1930s, Plum Beach was known as a lovers’ lane. No wonder Jimmie was so dispirited when he found out Mabel had gone for a drive with another fellow.
Mark says:
Thanks for the geographic Herriman History, Paul!
Jonathan A Wilson says:
I’ve always yearned for a full collection of Herriman’s other comics.
Mark says:
All us Herriman fans wish we could get collections of his other comics. Baron Bean was printed by Hyperion Press many years ago, and The Family Upstairs was printed by them as well. Now Listen, Mabel has never seen a paper printing, since it’s original appearance on newsprint in 1919.
Jonathan Wilson says:
I’ve been browsing this blog for years and I just wanted to reply in saying I appreciate all the work you have done, both on and offline. Thanks Mark.
Mark says:
You’re welcome, Jonathan, thanks for being a reader!
Pete Hale says:
I prefer Krazy. Weird how George did all this other stuff during/before.