A satirical drawing of an admiral, done by future Doors singer Jim Morrison at age 13. Morrison’s father was a lifelong Navy officer who eventually rose to the rank of admiral, and this drawing possibly references that.

The drawing is from the collection of longtime Doors associate and manager Danny Sugerman (1954-2005). It is one of a small group of Morrison’s drawing saved by his childhood friend Girard “Fud” Ford. Ford and Morrison met when the Morrison family moved to Alameda, California and they attended school together. The two boys spent many hours drawing together in an attic room at the Morrison house at 1717 Alameda Avenue. Ford and Morrison’s friendship and Morrison’s teenage drawings have been written about, notably in No One Here Gets Out Alive by Danny Sugarman and Jerry Hopkins, Mr. Mojo Risin by David Dalton and Morrison by Frank Lisciandro.

Danny Sugerman coincidentally met and began working for The Doors at the age of 13, first handling fan mail and organizing their clippings and scrapbook, and later writing press releases.  He was close to Jim Morrison, and after Morrison’s death, became Ray Manzarek’s manager, and then manager of The Doors, overseeing their catalog releases and legacy.

Sugerman wrote several books about Morrison and The Doors, including the aforementioned Morrison biography No One Here Gets Out Alive, The Doors: The Illustrated History, and his Doors-heavy autobiography Wonderland Avenue. He was a consultant to Oliver Stone for the film The Doors.

The drawing is accompanied by a note on Danny Sugerman’s stationery reading “J. Morrison rendition of Admiral.  Age 13” and “#60 pg. 45″ suggesting that it may have been considered for publication, though we cannot find evidence it was published.  The drawing is in very good condition with two small closed tears to the top edge, and some missing paper to the top right corner (none of this affecting the image.)  It measures 8 7/8″ x 12 1/8” and has been conservation rice paper backed.

We acquired this directly from Danny Sugerman’s widow, Fawn Hall; her letter of authenticity and Recordmecca’s written lifetime guarantee of authenticity are included.

A rare opportunity to acquire a truly unique Doors collectible with impeccable provenance.