Alonzo had Christmas cards made from woodblocks for a number of years. 7 different designs survive. We have the woodblocks for 4 designs and prints of 4 designs (only one design has woodblock & print). Each design has Dr. A.S. Neely or ASN and all but one are signed by artist Bob Hertz.
According to Joe, this reflects Dr. Neely's personality - charging forward with intensity. This card was during WWII according to Joe.
Other designs include Dr. Neely in fishing gear; Dr. Neely as Santa Claus driving the sleigh through the skies; and Dr. Neely in front of his desk.
This Christmas Dr. Neely must be commenting on a recent operation. He has a pillow tied to his back end and is telling Santa to put the turkey on the mantel and "I'll take mine standing up this year." This is rather ironic because one of Dr. Neely's specialties was rectal surgery. Believe it or not Joe still has some instruments used for that surgery! Joe said Trapper "designed" the surgery he needed and had it performed by a doctor in Chicago.
Read more about Dr. Neely by clicking the FamilyHistory label on the right
I just learned that I am distantly related to Alonzo Solon Neely. Are you related to him as well?
ReplyDeleteJoe Todd is his grandson.
DeleteI am the grandson of Bob Hertz. It is great to see some of his work for Dr. Neely. I have one of those original Christmas card drawings, but I have never seen a wood block of one of his cartoons. Pretty neat.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Jay Hertz, 859-420-6446
Yes, your grandfather did very nice work. My husband, Joe, said the drawings reflect his grandfather's personality. I wonder how Alonzo Neely knew your grandfather. Was he from Indiana?
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was a pharmacist for 35 years at Wade Drugs on Fountain Square and later Hook's Drugs on South Madison Ave in Indianapolis. He sketched customers at the drug store and had a reputation for his caricatures. I seem to recall several drawings of Dr Neely. They may have known each other through the drug store, church or one of the civic organizations they belonged to. Unfortunately, his house was taken when I-65 was built and much wonderful artwork and history was lost. I was the family accumulator and begged for some of grandpa's cartoons whenever we visited my grandparents. I have about 30 or so of his original drawings. Only the one of Dr Neely though. I would be glad to forward a picture.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Jay Hertz
Wade Drugs is the connection. Dr. Neely's office was on Fountain Square. His grandson, Joe Todd, remembers many stops at Wade Drugs with his Grandfather Neely. Yes, please forward a picture of the drawing you have. jhtod@earthlink.net Would you like pictures of the prints we have? If yes, what is your email?
ReplyDelete