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Pop Culture e Memorabilia

Thursday 19 February 2026, 04:00 PM • Milan

113

Gilbert Shelton

Gilbert Shelton - Original Illustration - Fat Freddy's Cat - Framed - 26x20 cm

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€ 220 - 300

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Original illustration of Fat Freddy's Cat by Gilbert Shelton, framed and measuring 26x20 cm: the sheet alone measures 21x15 cm. The bond between Gilbert Shelton and his character Fat Freddy's Cat (also known in Italy as "Il gatto di Ciccio Freddy") is one of the most brilliant examples of how a supporting character can become an independent icon, sometimes surpassing the original protagonists in popularity. Gilbert Shelton, a Texan born in 1940 and a pillar of underground comics (comix), created the cat in 1969. Initially, his stories appeared as "toppers," short strips placed at the bottom of The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers comics. Unlike sly and cuddly house cats, Fat Freddy's cat regards his humans (the Freak Brothers) with a profound and amused contempt, calling Fat Freddy "the obese." One of the most beloved recurring themes is his eternal battle with cockroaches. Shelton transforms this domestic nuisance into a grotesque epic: cockroaches are not simple insects, but a hierarchical society complete with an army, weapons, and military strategies, turning the home kitchen into a veritable battlefield. The success was such that the cat earned his own series, "The Adventures of Fat Freddy's Cat," published in seven volumes. In these stories, the cat experiences surreal adventures ranging from political satire to parody of literary genres, philosophizing on Nietzsche or facing global catastrophes with the typical nonchalance of someone who has seen it all. In Italy, his adventures have been historically published in magazines such as Linus and Skorpio, and in dedicated volumes by publishers such as Comicon Edizioni, remaining a timeless symbol of hippie culture and the most scathing social satire.

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Condition report

To request a Condition Report, please contact pop@finarte.it The department will provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that what Finarte declares with respect to the state of conservation of the objects corresponds only to a qualified opinion and that we are not professional conservators or restorers. We urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. We always suggest prospective buyers to inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition during the exhibition days as indicated in the catalog.