12.75x15.75" frame contains 8x10.25" artboard w/original onionskin overlay w/additional inkwork. Preliminary artwork was created by legendary "Mad" artist Jack Davis and depicts Mad's mascot Alfred E. Neuman having crashed into a tree while skiing, his head sticking through the other side of tree's trunk. This art was done in graphite and overlay has inking that gives art an almost finished look, despite it being a "rough" sketch, showing the level of detail Davis imbued in all his work. Art has been signed to "Mad" editor John Putnam at lower right by Davis, who inscribed it "For Uncle John - Ol' Jack Davis 79." Davis provided the cover art for the Jan., 1980 issue of "Mad," this likely being one of the last pieces of art Putnam would approve as he died in Nov. 1980. Art is slightly aged but o/w Exc. Comes w/uncut sheet of magazine covers for this issue, which featured Davis's artwork, altered ever so slightly. Rolled w/slight margin wear. VF/Exc. Rare as uncut.