Mr. Marvel: A Mighty Man Writes...

Article by Mr. J. Lethem for the NY Times

Special thanks to W.W. Toast for sending us the link.

Historical Marvel

Although many assume that this charming publication was named after Mr. Thomas Marvel, the character in H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man, in actuality it was named in honor of real estate magnate, Charles Lincoln Marvel.

Mr. Marvel, born in 1851, was the son of wealthy land baron Warren Wagar Marvel. An adventurer in his youth, Charles Marvel spent most of his time looking for alternative ways to explore California. It was in 1890 that Charles Marvel joined with other investors in bringing the railroad through Northern California.

The railroad Mr. Marvel brought to the West Coast played an important part in the early days of California, however, the largest influence on its history has been the Madding McBean Company. Nicknamed “The Mighty Men” by locals, this terra cotta plant was the largest balloon manufacturer. An avid hot air balloon enthusiast, Mr. Marvel founded the plant in 1874 to finance his own balloon trips becoming the first man to travel from Napa to San Francisco in a hot air balloon. The Madding McBean Company later expanded its line of products to include architectural decoration and roof tiles. These unique embellishments grace many of the country’s landmark buildings today including the Wrigley Building in Chicago.

In addition to his aerial expeditions, Mr. Marvel was a staunch supporter of the arts and artists. On his travels, Mr. Marvel amassed a large collection of obscure and adventurous art from a variety of artists local and afar. The Madding McBean Company in fact hosted “Art’s Accession” one of the first California art competitions of its time.

We here at Mr. Marvel hope to continue Mr. Charles Lincoln Marvel’s early example of finding and displaying the work of unknown and daring artists. We hope this publication serves as testament to Mr. Marvel’s entrepreneurial and brave spirit.

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