In 1956, Ima Rosada purchased a home on Quiogue Point in Southampton Town. The following year New Yorker cartoonist Charles Addams was her houseguest. He presented his hostess with a personalized copy of his 1950 book Monster Rally from its second printing. It was a housewarming gift of sorts as well a means of reciprocating her hospitality.
The original drawing in the book features the boy Pugsley as we now call him—he was as yet unnamed before "The Addams Family" television show. He holds the family's pet lizard, if you will, on a leash.
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| Charles Addams AbeBooks listing accessed November 4, 2023 |
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| Charles Addams AbeBooks item description |
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| Realty Sales The Southampton Press, November 29, 1956, p. 12 |
Note: Charles Addams, bless him, gave away many copies of his books to which he added personalized inscriptions and drawings. Other such volumes were no doubt obtained at book signings. Whatever the story behind them, consider this blog the home away from home for images of the superb Addams books in your library.
See Dan's Papers for a helpful 2013 primer on Quogue and Quiogue here.
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