FRED KAIL THE ILLUSTRATOR
If you have followed our auctions and Blog entries, you probably know of our affection for the works of Fred Kail. His series of NFL and Major League baseball statues, banks and ash trays are some of the finest figural items in the hobby. These great works of art were produced in the late 50's/early 60's and have remained one of the most popular series in the hobby today. His current statues are also masterpieces. What we didn't know is that besides being a master sculpter, Mr Kail also was a very creative illustrator.
We recently obtained an NFL calendar illustrated by Mr. Kail. It's for the 1963 NFL season and combines wonderful artwork with comical sayings. There are pictures of NFL scenes for each of the month's too- all with funny sayings that reflect the times. It's amazing how talented some people are and then there's me who can't draw a stick figure.
Mr. Kail sent us an email with his accounts of the calendar and its beginnings.
The story behind the calendar: I was commissioned to create the calendar by Andy Robustelli. It followed my sculpting all the "Peanuts" bobble heads for United Features and Charles Schultz: and the "Beetle Bailey bobbleheads (United Features and Mort Walker) Both these projects were commissioned by Robustelli (RGU, Inc. ) I was given free reign on it as to whatever I wanted to do and had access to whatever photos I wanted.
The cartoon strip was a take-off of my "Joe Jolter" figures creating "the fan", "Lil' Louie" (I later made a figurine of "Lil' Louie") I somewhat saw myself in the character beginning simply as an avid fan and ending up personally immersed in the NFL and with so many great players of the time. Jim Hennessey of United Features was impressed with my work and Charles Schultz had approved all my interpretations of his characters after so many others had failed. Hennessey wanted me to do a syndicated cartoon strip after doing this calendar. I was still pretty bruised up and discouraged from the raw deal from Santa Claus Program. Perhaps, I should have taken him up on the offer, but that's hindsight now. Robustelli thought I was foolish not to pursue it (he was right) as there were literally hundreds of aspiring cartoonists pleading with Hennessey for such an opportunity at the time. It was Jim Hennessey that gave Charles Schultz his start at $60 a week!!! I have no regrets. It's been a great trip, a lot of great people along the way and wonderful memories. It's nice to know others enjoy my work as much as I have enjoyed doing it. And, I still enjoy creating... the next piece, whatever it may be. All the best, Fred Kail
