11x17" comic artboard has inked Scooby-Doo bust w/collar. Inscribed and signed in ink "Joe Staton 2008". Includes 11x17" flyer for The Storefront Artist Project "The Art of Joe Staton" in 2008 where Staton appeared. Lt. aging/handling wear. Exc. Lawrence Klein Collection.

In the words of Lawrence Klein the founder of the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art:

"I’ve incorporated a fundraising component into this Hake’s auction that is especially meaningful to me and my family. I’ve selected several original works of art and other cool & interesting pieces from my personal collection, and 100% of my proceeds from the sale of these specific pieces will be donated to four nonprofit organizations that are close to our hearts:

The Center for Cartoon Studies

The HERO Initiative

The Berkshire Humane Society

The Berkshire Art Association

I’m hopeful that this charitable aspect of the auction, together with the breadth and quality of the material being offered, will resonate with collectors and readers alike. It’s especially gratifying to be able to share pieces from my collection while supporting organizations whose work I value deeply.

I’m also including a special group of pieces from my dear friend Joe Staton. Joe and his wife, Hilarie, are family to us, and Joe has been a wonderful friend and collaborator for many years. He has worked with me on countless nonprofit events, going all the way back to the Ramapo Comic Con in the late 1980s. Over the years, I’ve also had the good fortune to acquire a number of Joe’s pieces for my own collection, so it seemed especially appropriate to include some of his work in this fundraising portion of the auction.

Joe and Hilarie have been part of my life and my family’s life for decades, and including Joe’s work feels like a fitting way to honor that friendship and our shared commitment to supporting good causes. I’m particularly pleased that pieces I’ve collected from Joe over the years can now serve a new purpose—helping support the four nonprofits that are so meaningful to me and my family. One hundred percent of my proceeds from the sale of these pieces will be donated to these organizations."