Around this day in history, March 26, 1958, J. Fred Muggs’ painting appeared on the cover of MAD Magazine.
Seen here Muggs’ work for MAD issue number 38.
J. Fred Muggs, a chimpanzee, was a featured contributor on all topics for NBC’s Today Show throughout the 1950s.
“The [Russian] Government organ Izvestia said today that J. Fred Muggs, a chimpanzee who appears on television in the United States, 'is a symbol of the American way of life.'
'Muggs is necessary in order that the average American should not hear, should not look into reports on rising taxes and decreasing pay, but laugh at the funny mug of a chimpanzee,' Izvestia said.
'The average American should not hear such unpleasant news as increasing anti-American feelings in Europe and the increase of anti-colonial movement in Asia, being absorbed by the sight of the extravagant antics of Mr. J. Fred Muggs.’” — “U.S. Drowns Its Woes In Muggs, Moscow Says,” New York Times, January 31, 1955
This entry was part of an ongoing series of works drawn from the inventory of Specific Object to be presented daily. (specificobject)
