Winsor McCay utilized the device of dreams in a number of his comic efforts, most notably in "Little Nemo in Slumberland". The dreams allowed McCay to take readers on flights of fancy. These In the Land of Wonderful Dreams images were created in 1911, just after McCay stopped "Little Nemo". At that time, McCay was employed by William Randolph Hearst at the New York American.

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1.

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Midsummer day dreams. Oh! If only I could get an idea! The hot weather has befuddled me! Oh! For an idea! What is funny? What can I draw? Oh! For a joke! Let me think! Ha! There is an idea! I knew I'd get one! Oh! You are a dandy! You are cutest idea! Isn't it hot? Eh? Here! Come back to me! Do not leave me! Oh! You pretty scheme! .........

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2.

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Midsummer day dreams. I have let the air out of the tires so that I can show how the automatic air pump will fill them up again! Huh! That's wonderful! That's great! Just by pressing the lever. Well, press it back now! They're full! No matter how fast I am going up hill or down all I have to do is_ I know. But press it back now! If the wind is out of 'em instead of pumpin'_ Yes! Yes!! .........

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Midsummer day dreams. I'll never forget. Neither can I ever forgive the cops in this town! They will not let me sleep! Oh! I must be more careful! I nearly fell off this forty two story building! The cops won't bother me up on this beam! I can get a good sleep but I must not fall off! I am not only safe from the cops but is so nice and cool up here! There I go again!.........

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Midsummer day dreams. Yep! I'll go to Europe and look for one! I can not find a wife to suit me here in America! I'll look through Europe! Well, here I am in Europe! Ha! There is the kind of wife I want ! I'll propose to her! Ahem! I mean it! Marry me and go to America with me to live! Yah! Do you take this woman to be your lawful wife to love honor and obey her as a husband and_.........

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Midsummer day dreams. You'll take six dollars for him eh? I could use him to good advantage! I've got an excellent idea. I think I'll buy him from you sir! Six dollars an' he's yours. I just caught him! Is it on solid, Mr. Carpenter? How near done are you? Um! It is good and solid! I'll be done in a few minutes! It is O.K. Well goodbye, folks! ....

6.

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Midsummer day dreams. Well, I might as well go to it! A luxury like this does not present itself very often in a man's life-time during July and August! I might as well enjoy it while I have the opportunity! Um! Huh! There comes General Washington an' his troopes! I am trying to get to Trenton. Trenton, N.J.? Sure I'll help you George! ....

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It was only a dream. One_four-eleven_UM_ forty-four! No bones broke! Just a slight shock to his senses! Where am I? Oh! I was out!

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Twas only a dream. Ah! There's a fine spring day sun- Huh! Um! Before I can mix my color scheme is changed! It is now summer! Wow! I'm not prepared for a storm scene! The weather changes so quick I can't mix my colors! Now! There is a beautiful autumn color scheme. Pshaw! It is snowing I don't want to paint a snow scene. I'll go home! Oh! Here is my street. I was asleep! Umpt Umph street!

9.

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It was only a dream. I knew when aero planes were invented that they would be followed by simpler vehicles of air travel. Why have powerful motors when we can soar like a bird_ Well. There's my building_ Gracious! I've hit it instead of alighting in front of it. I was to attend a director's meeting in this building today._ I hope I shall not be prevented from doin' so! ...

10.

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Autumn day dreams. I wish I was up in a balloon, so's I could out of this old town! Oh! I am sinking fast! I'll have to throw out a lot of sand quick! There goes enough to lighten me! Now I'll go up. What was I sitting on, a dynamite bomb! This is fierce! Oh! Hello! Say! Take me along with you, will you? No! No! I couldn't think of it, sir! You can't eh! Then I'll start you thinking! ...