Publisher and co-editor of EC Comics (1922–1992), who published the popular satirical magazine Mad for over 40 years. Letter archive consisting one TLS, four ALSs, and six ANSs, signed "Bill" and "Bill Gaines," all addressed to young fan Fred Holtz and dated between 1975 and 1977, with some undated. The TLS and ALSs are on Mad stationery and letterhead, and the six ANSs are penned on the original letters from Holtz. Highlights include: an ALS from May 29, 1975, in part: "I'm sorry, we're out of stock on all old books & back issues. But I'm sending you a used 'Ridiculously Expensive Mad'—very rare! It'll take a week or so to get there!"; an ALS, dated June 20, 1975, in part: "Sure I read Plop! My good friend Joe Orlando edits Plop at National! But R. E. [Ridiculously Expensive] Mad was one of mine! I don't remember if Don Martin did an article for Witzend!"; and an ALS from October 28, 1975, in part: "Don Martin won't be here until next summer! Lives in Miami, Fla. I love Monty Python! M = Maxwell—Eccckk!" The ANSs concern a variety of Mad-related subjects, with Gaines offering several humorous and informative responses to questions, including: the sale of a 'Screwball MAD' game, "We sued and they stopped!"; the presence of Mad Zeppelin in Plop issue No. 10, "They stole it!"; what Alfred E. Newman's middle initial stands for, "Enough!"; where Mad magazine is actually printed, "Brooklyn"; and whether Chevy Chase had previously worked for Mad, "Not to my recollection!" In overall very good to fine condition. Accompanied by an original mailing envelope addressed in Gaine's hand for an ANS, an unsigned photo of Alfred E. Neuman, and a TLS from Mad associate editor Jerry De Fuccio to Holtz, dated August 10, 1977, in part: "George Lucas has helped us with lots of material from Star Wars and British artist Harry North has just finished the seven pages. Plus a striking cover by Jack Rickard!"
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