William M. Gaines’ Shoes on LIFE.com

When MAD Founder and Publisher Bill Gaines died in 1992, MAD editor John Ficarra asked his widow, Annie, if he could have Gaines’ shoes — a pair of size 13 desert boots that Gaines always wore. (Ficarra felt he had no choice since Gaines, inexplicably, cut him out of his will, despite Ficarra’s years and years of dedicated service. Sometimes staying as late as 5 P.M.) But Ficarra showed no bitterness and immediately had the shoes bronzed and proudly displayed them on his desk. Recently, LIFE.com found out about the shoes and asked if they could include them in their “Shoes of the Very Famous” photo gallery. The collection, which includes the footwear of Princess Di, Derek Jeter and the 18th century Pope Clement XIII, can be found here!