Helen Aberson-Mayer

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Helen Aberson-Mayer
BornJune 16, 1907 (1907-06-16)
Syracuse, New York
DiedApril 3, 1999 (1999-04-04) (aged 91)
OccupationChildren's book author
EducationSyracuse University
Genrefantasy
Notable worksDumbo the Flying Elephant

Helen Aberson-Mayer (June 16, 1907 – April 3, 1999)[1][2] was an American children's book author.

Aberson-Mayer was best known for co-authoring the story that inspired Walt Disney's 1941 film Dumbo.[3] In collaboration with her then husband, Harold Pearl, Aberson-Mayer wrote Dumbo the Flying Elephant and sold it to Roll-A-Book, the publisher of a kind of novelty toy, although no copies of this original version have been found. The story was later published as a children's book.

Aberson-Mayer may have also authored several other children stories, but they were never published.[4][5]

Early life and education

Aberson-Mayer was born on June 16, 1907, in Syracuse, New York.[1][4][5] Her parents were Anna and Morris Aberson. Her father is listed in city directories as a cigar maker in 1914 and as a grocer in 1930.[4] Her parents were Russian-Jewish immigrants.[6]

Aberson-Mayer graduated from Syracuse University in 1929.[1][2][4][5] After graduation she worked in New York City doing social work. She returned to Syracuse in 1933 to direct dramatic actives at a children's camp and took a position as director of dramatical activities at a municipal recreational department. In August 1937, Aberson-Mayer started work as a radio commentator.[4]

According to her family, Aberson-Mayer may have written more children's books into the 1960s, but none of them were published.[5] Her niece recalled two of their titles: Sim, the Seal, and Otto, The Otter.[4]

Aberson-Mayer died on April 3, 1999.[1][2]

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Aberson-Mayer met Harold Pearl in October 1937, and they married on February 14, 1938.[4][5][7] They co-wrote the Dumbo story and sold it to Roll-a-Book in 1939. No copies of the roll-a-book version have been found, though proofs of the story and examples of earlier versions of the medium indicate it may have existed.[4]

Everett Whitmyre, the Syracuse advertising agent behind Roll-a-Book, sold the story to Walt Disney Productions in 1939. The story was supplemented with illustrations by Helen Durney. Aberson-Mayer may have earned about $1,000, some royalties, and credit rights for the sale. A series of Disney Golden Book versions of the story began publication in 1940.[4][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Obituary: Helen Aberson Mayer". The Independent. 1999-04-12. Archived from the original on 2022-05-09. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
  2. ^ a b c Pace, Eric (1999-04-10). "Helen A. Mayer, Dumbo's Creator, Dies at 91". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
  3. ^ Crowther, Bosley (1941-10-24). "Walt Disney's Cartoon, 'Dumbo,' a Fanciful Delight, Opens at the Broadway -- 'You'll Never Get Rich,' With Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth, Is Seen at the Music Hall -- New Film at Palace". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Kirst, Sean (2015-10-25). "The tale behind Dumbo, from Dick Case: How the little elephant took off in Syracuse". syracuse.com. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "MichaelBarrier.com -- Essays: The Mysterious Dumbo Roll-A-Book". www.michaelbarrier.com. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
  6. ^ Kindy, David. "The Original 'Dumbo' Story Would Have Had More Twists and Turns". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Syracuse Journal (Feb 16, 1938)". newspaperarchive.com. Retrieved 2019-04-07.