Mad #49 (Albert Feldstein) - Frank Jacobs Issue - September 1959

Frank Jacobs has been the most prolific writer for Mad.  In No. 49, he wrote "Mad Looks at Book Clubs" and "Half-Finished Billboards."  He was the only non-celebrity writer to receive byline credits prior to issue No. 49.  Artists have always been the stars for a magazine that grew out of the comic book era.  Jacobs receives much of the credit for the equal billing that Mad writers finally achieved.  Since all artists and writers were given byline credits, contributors were grouped as "the usual gang of idiots" in issue No. 51.

As Kurtzman before him, Feldstein wrote many articles and provided some drawings for early issues.  Neither ever showed byline credits for their articles.  When Mad began listing contributing writers on the index, Feldstein listed his efforts under the pseudonym "Alfred E. Neuman."  Fourteen such listings appeared in Mad Nos. 29 to 49.  There was also one curious listing for "Melvin Cowznofski" as a writer for No. 45. [PSA2]

David Nelson cut Ricky's guitar strings. ("Family Magazines" - page 23)

Departments:
Readin' an' Writhin' - The Mad Horror Primer
Don Martin - The Boy and His Toy; The Sculptor in His Studio; The 17th Floor
Binding Offer - Mad Looks at Book Clubs
Edifice Complex - Functional Architecture
Fun for the Road - Half-Finished Billboards
Hollywood - Scenes We'd Like to See
What's Buzzin' Cousin - Family Magazines
Motorvational Research - America's Dream Car
Sid Caesar - Shrunk World
Brave of the Home - Mad Medals for Everyday Heroes
Anything for a Buck - A Best Seller Hits the Commercial Trail
Television - TV Ads We'd Like to See
Two Weeks with Prey - Mad's Specialized Resorts Page
Big Build-Up - Vic Tinny Gyms