Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact was similar to True Comics in that it was aimed as a “healthy” alternative to standard comics of the day. It was different in that it wasn’t available at newsstands, but rather distributed in bulk to classrooms in the Catholic parochial school system. It was also tremendously long lived, being published by George A. Pflaum for 496 issues over 26 years (1946 -1972).
V6#1 [87] shown here is dated September 14, 1950. The cover story “Here Comes Harmon” features Michigan Wolverine football star “Old 98” Tom Harmon. Leading a charmed life, the 1940 Heisman Trophy winner survived two separate plane downings during WWII and the military hero was awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for actions with the 449th Fighter Squadron. After a short post war stint in professional football with the Los Angeles Rams he developed a successful career in the broadcasting booth. But perhaps more importantly, time in LA led to meeting and subsequently marrying movie actress and model Elyse Knox.
Elyse Knox
Elyse Knox
The marriage resulted in three children who all achieved notoriety in their own right. The eldest Kristin married recording artist and film star Ricky Nelson.
Second child Kelly married automaker John DeLorean and after a divorce, publisher Robert Miller. And lastly, son Mark Harmon became a college football star for the UCLA Bruins and subsequently a popular film and television actor. He is married to actress Pam Dawber.
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