While perhaps not as well known as Palmer Cox’s Brownies, the Teenie Weenies were very reminiscent of the diminutive sprites, created and illustrated by William Donahey.

The characters’ stories began as a comic strip in the women’s section of the Chicago Tribune on June 14, 1914, centering on tiny two inch tall characters living in a setting populated with life size real objects, which were huge in comparison. Each single panel illustration was accompanied by prose text, with art done in pen and ink with watercolor coloring by Donahey. This feature ran intermittently for over 50 years, finishing just after Donahey’s death in 1970.

Hake’s Americana, a division of Geppi’s Entertainment, is currently offering a stunning example of original Donahey Teenie Weenie art used for publication in the 1930s. This art features four Teenie Weenies ironing their clothes with a gigantic electric iron. Chinese Teenie Weenie Chuck Lee is shown as he is hurrying into his pants, along with Cook and Turk Teenie Weenies. Random articles of tiny clothing are scattered on the iron, waiting to dry. A naked Dunce Teenie Weenie sits astride the iron’s handle and an inset panel shows Turk Teenie Weenie holding a large pencil on his shoulder. This image was meant to be cut out to form a stand-up doll. This was a frequent feature, with a focus on a new Teenie Weenie each week for cut-out purposes. 

This and many other impressive pieces of art, collectibles, and more are available at Hake’s Americana. The sale ends next week from Tuesday, September 2 through Thursday, September 4, 2008. Click here to view other items for sale.