Hi, this is Jeff, Dedinova's nice "twin brother"! I mentioned on the podcast that I was doing research on a novel that will take place in the Spring of 1966. While looking through the old
Springfield Daily News issues on microfilm at the Springfield-Greene County Library Center, I discovered an advertising character called Mr. AG (pictured above). I've been told A-G stands for Associate Grocery, which I believe is now known as Associate Wholesale Grocery.
After seeing this character, I tried to find pictures of him on the Internet, but couldn't remember the company name. I really thought it was Mr. A-P (A & P was in Springfield in 1966). I decided to Google a description of the character. Something like "grocery store - cartoon - advertising - big ears - pencil behind ear."
Low and behold, Google gave me pictures of a doppelganger known as Cheeky Charlie the Four Square Man (above). He has been used by the Four Square Supermarket chain of New Zealand since the 40s. As you notice, they look quite a bit alike. I wonder if they are cousins, clones or was Mr. A-G a rip off that disappeared after a lawsuit from the New Zealanders. Who knows.
