Presented here are a number of images from various Pogo publictions which suggest progression of Walt Kelly's design of the Pogo figure produced by Wade of Ireland in 1959. Kelly retained complete quality control over the production, from detailed model sheets (like those used in animation) to personal approval of the subtle coloring of the finished product.
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Pogo by Wade
Image by Bob Rolls with editing by Steve Lawson
This figure was privately owned in Buffalo, NY and was sold to a neighbor, who was a collectibles dealer. A second dealer acquired the piece in the mid-1990s and offered it at auction on eBay in July 1999, described as a "Fabulous, hard to find Pogo figure by Wade Ireland in 1959 is in great condition with no chips, cracks or crazing."
Pogo's "Footprint"
George Wade and Son Ltd. pottery company opened a plant in Ulster, Ireland in the early 1950s, and it was there that the early Whimsical Wades were produced. William K. Harper, modeller for Wade from 1954 to 1962, is credited with creating the model for Pogo from the detailed model sheets drawn by Walt Kelly.
Pogo and Hatchling
Images from Pogo publications
Probably the most popular figure of Pogo appearing on the title pages and frontispieces of the many Pogo publications is that of Pogo playing a string instrument, with a bird hatchling in a nest on his head. The center drawing here is clearly related to the design of the 1959 Wade Pogo figure. The earlier version on the left is from a reprint on the title page of Pluperfect Pogo (1987). The most common version in the center is from an unnumbered page preceding the first selection in Pogo's Sunday Punch (1957). The unique version on the right is from page 92 of Ten Ever-Lovin' Blue-Eyed Years with Pogo (1959).
Pogo with Chick and Canterbury
In the sixth panel of the Sunday story line "Cinderola and the Fore-bears," Pogo appears with a hatchling chicken in a crude nest on his head. This story is in The Pogo Sunday Brunch (1957), compiling strips beginning in 1955. The little bird Canterbury sits on Pogo's head in the cover illustration of Walt Kelly's Can't with Pogo (1962). No nest or hatchling sitting on Pogo's head, but the imagery follows the earlier development. The complete Can't story, both as sketches and the finished book, appears in Issue 55 of The Fort Mudge Most (February 1997).
Record sleeve for Songs of the Pogo
compared with Wade Pogo front view.
The figure of Pogo and the nesting hatchling
on this 1959 product
closely resembles the design of the Wade Pogo of the same year.
(The record sleeve image is from an eBay auction offering.)
Figures illustrated copyright by Walt
Kelly.
All POGO characters copyright by The Okefenokee Glee & Perloo
Society, Inc.
Modified: 8/4/99