Robert Armstrong (1950)

Robert Armstrong (as Lucky Bob) Comix Book #5 Complete 4-Page Story "Those Low-Down Crash Pad Blues" Original Art (Kitchen Sink Press, 1975). Tight on space for its final issue, the trailblazing Comix Book squeezed Armstrong's illustrated poem into a single page -- undiminished, but better seen in its authentic four-page spread, here, two panels to a page. Musician-cartoonist Armstrong adapts the traditional 1920s lyric of "Hungry Hash House (Blues)" -- associated with country singers Uncle Dave Macon and Charlie Poole -- into a modern-day hippie-squatter scenario, complete with surreal dope elements and a down-and-dirty nude scene. Page 2, Panel 2, contains a dead-on-the-money emulation of Pablo Picasso's Cubist technique. Comix Book had originated as a co-publishing venture between Kitchen Sink Press (on the creative side) and Marvel Comics (mass-marketing resources), but reverted to its Underground essence after Marvel became leery of the book's enforcement of creator-rights considerations. Armstrong also is known as the originator of the Mickey Rat comics series, and as a guitarist with Robert Crumb's Cheap Suit Serenaders. Ink with collage element (cameo-photo of Armstrong) over graphite on Bristol board, with an image area of 8" x 12". Toned, with marginal handling wear, and in Excellent condition. From the Denis Kitchen Collection. HID09710052018 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved