NEW OLD STOCK: Rockwell planned a series of Saturday Evening Post covers about a soldier-a quiet, lovable young innocent who could be anyone's son or kid brother. The first cover in the series presented a newly drafted soldier receiving a package from home. Needing a name for the address label on the package, Rockwell consulted his wife, Mary, who came up with the name "Willie Gillis" after thinking of a book she had read to the children called Wee Willie Winkie. Attentive Post readers pointed out that the Gillis package from home showed insufficient postage, and from then on Rockwell weighed his packages and letters at the post office before he painted any stamps-an important detail since so many of Rockwell's wartime covers included mail to and from home. Individually numbered. 7 1/4" tall. Made in China. Comes in original gift box.
