Pictured here are my copies of Tessie the Typist published by Timely, #3* from 1944, #13 (December 1947) and #15* (April 1948).
Timely had begun growing a niche of books in a sub-genre that would be called “working gal.” The gags were more like a modern day version of a situation comedy, like Friends. They were intended to expand upon the success of the teen humor genre into a more adult segment of the market. Tessie was the first, although ultimately not the most successful. Others included Millie the Model and Nellie the Nurse.
Tessie the Typist had a total of 59 appearances, 23 of which were under her own title. She also appeared in Comedy Comics, Hedy De Vine Comics and Gay Comics.
Many collectors recognize these issues more for the inside stories which frequently contained work by Basil Wolverton (Powerhouse Pepper) and Harvey Kurtzman (Hey Look!) whose wild and unique styles generated a large cult following of collectors.
* Sold copy.
Steven Lantz
I read some of the stuff you had her on Tessie The Typist. I was wondering if you can tell me, if you know, what the last name was of this character. I am not on The Internet. I am using a library’s computer to send you this message. The E-Mail here is invalid. It only works when I send comments or messages like this. You would have to write back to me with an answer. This is if you would want to. Nobody says everything has to be done on a computer anyway. I am giving you my name and address in case you decide to. My name is Steven Lantz. My address is 1601 West 5th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11223