Heading:
Author: [EC Related]
Title: Patrissy's Ashtray: Rare Artifact of Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein's Favorite Eatery
Place Published:
Publisher:
Date Published: 1950s
Description:

Rectangular glass ashtray, text and decorations in black and red: "PATRISSY'S / Authentic Neapolitan Cuisine / 98 Kenmare Street, New York / CAnal 6-8509." Approximately 1x3½x3¾". Excellent condition, no flaws, blemishes, chips or cracks. Provenance: From the Collection of Thommy Burns, head of the EC Fan-Addict Club on Facebook and author of numerous essays for Fantagraphics's EC Artists' Library series.

Patrissy's was an Italian restaurant located on Kenmare Street, a block and a half from EC's offices at 225 Lafayette in NYC. In-the-know Fan-Addicts regard Patrissy's with a certain warm reverence, as it was Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein's favorite lunch spot during the most fruitful era of their collaboration. Foremost Fan-Addict Thommy Burns says:

"First generation EC Fan-Addict and pop culture historian Bhob Stewart described a Patrissy's ashtray as 'the ultimate EC collectible' in a 2009 blog post. They are exceptionally rare, and this is a beautiful vintage example, with the classic red and black logo, single old-school telephone exchange, and lack of a zip code. Patrissy's looms large in the EC legend; as Al Feldstein noted in Digby Diehl's 1996 'Tales From The Crypt: The Official Archives:' 'We'd plot in the morning, then go to Patrissy's, the local Italian restaurant. We'd gorge ourselves on spaghetti and manicotti and bread. I got fat.' Who knows - this very ashtray could have been at Gaines and Feldstein's table while they gorged! A true piece of EC history."

Patrissy's provided a rare bit of comfort to Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein during the dark days of the Senate Subcommittee hearings, when, as Gaines later recalled, "all of a sudden you find that everyone you know kind of regards you as a criminal." David Hadju tells the story in The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How it Changed America:

"Gaines, bedridden with stomach pains for days after the hearings, did not return to work until Monday, April 26. Having lost a good ten pounds during the previous week, he invited Feldstein to lunch and found an unexpected benefit of his Foley Square ordeal. The waiters at Patrissy's seemed especially attentive, and they brought a full plate of biscotti for dessert, on the house. Feldstein supposed that word of the hearings had spread around Little Italy, and Gaines was now presumed to be in with the Mob."

A limited edition of 150 softcover and 15 hardcover catalogues is available. 400 lots, fully illustrated. Fun reference, great keepsake. Softcover $30, deluxe hardcover with dust jacket and limitation plate $200. Ten of the 15 hardcovers are pre-ordered and the rest will go quickly, so reserve yours now. To order, contact [email protected].

Consignments welcome for PBA's December 2021 Comic Book sale. Top prices for Pre-Code Horror, Golden Age, Silver Age, original art and ephemera. Send inquiries to [email protected].

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by PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers
October 28, 2021 11:00 AM PDT
605 Addison St
Berkeley, CA, US 94710

PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000