The proto-Alfred E. Neuman.

The great Letters of Note website, which publishes antique missives that have some historical value, has published an old rejection letter that Mad magazine used to send out to writers and artists who didn’t quite make the grade. It dates from the reign of editor Al Feldstein, who ran the mag for 29 years, beginning in 1956. See the original letter and stationery, and read the transcript below:

“Dear Contributor:-

Sorry, but we’ve got bad news!

You’ve been rejected!

Don’t take this personally though. All of us feel rejected at one time or another. At least, that’s what our group therapist tells us here at MAD. He says we shouldn’t worry about it.

So that should be your attitude: ‘What-Me worry?’

Besides – although you’ve been rejected, things could have been a lot worse. Your material might have been ACCEPTED!

Then where would you be?

MAD-ly

(Signed, ‘Al Feldstein’)

Al Feldstein
Editor

P.S. Our group therapist also mentioned that many people are so rejected by a rejection that they don’t try again. And we wouldn’t want THAT! We really WOULD like you to keep sending us your article ideas and scripts. . .so we can keep sending you these idiotic rejection slips!”