Mischa Richter: With the U.S. Army Censor

A single-panel cartoon by Mischa Richter is set in the office of the U.S. Army Censor during the Second World War, very likely in 1944. In July, Westport Auctions offered up the original work with a broad presale estimate of $50 to $10,000. The hammer price was more narrow: $50.

"I'll thank you to mind your own business!"
Mischa Richter
Original cartoon art

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Mischa Richter
Westport Auction listing of July 16, 2024

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/181589787_mischa-richter-1910-2001-political-cartoon

Note:  Please send word if you know where and when this cartoon was published.

04745

Mischa Richter: Visiting Hours

Cartoonist Mischa Richter certainly appreciated a good turn of phrase. Presumably so did writer Melvin Shestuck, who was the recipient of this original art in 1945. And I'm sure the patient here was grateful as well.

"We want to visit another patient here tonight—sort of killing two birds with one stone."
Mischa Richter
Original cartoon art

Mischa Richter's signature

"To Melvin Shestuck
with regards—
Nov. 17, 1945  Richter"

Unless someone can make out these markings on the back, the place where this was published is lost to history. Some eighty years later, the artwork changed hands on eBay.

Verso

Mischa Richter
eBay listing ended July 19, 2024

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375530332688?_nkw=Mischa+Richter+signed&itmmeta=01J7A5G1Q4VFA9240R857K2E8Z&hash=item576f5a2210:g:bvMAAOSwQvZmjpz8&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKndUZy1%2B%2Bw5cnJej3cFUJ%2Bqd42LACulPio3YxctnO7cSe5pUgf5xX5952uBsxoaWRePz0SzGpO2pLXRv--giyLrmL0D2yVTl6nUbEAfJWDoQXuXUGolAMaVwVRhKLvlOywAly58qICyv2OKM12NvE1L9Q3PWMIzlo5i6UQ%2FmO5XNnw13IcR1mg6WRyNeJqSZzuPDfR8ET%2FYMsaIwGjXVM9Vc0YXLYOqfLFmBe1NB%2FiQODpD3djWfhmRgYqv2IvPvAQ%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9CbwMW6ZA

Mischa Richter
eBay item description

Note:  As with any of my posts, if you know more than I do about what I have presented here—such as publication history—please share it. I am always eager to share original work by Mischa Richter.

04744

Mischa Richter: Cause for Celebration

It's ridiculous for the original of a published New Yorker cartoon to sell for as little as Mischa Richter's drawing from the issue of September 24, 1990. The drawing still holds up well more than three decades after its printing, although the rogues' gallery called to mind today is decidedly more partisan and political. The drawing is fairly detailed and should be worth considerably more than the $33 it fetched on eBay. A lot of the responsibility for this goes to the seller, whose misleading title suggests the offering is a signed magazine rather than an original magazine cartoon.

Just Acquitted
Mischa Richter
Original cartoon art
The New Yorker, September 24, 1990, p. 39

Detail

Detail

Mischa Richter
eBay listing ended April 17, 2024

https://www.ebay.com/itm/386855618812?itmmeta=01HZTNBXJ3TSAQ2F18AJZKA84G&hash=item5a126448fc:g:eAcAAOSwTXdl8c0O&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4JQoBdIzjteBnIdblv6Zkxo7s0%2Bh3kpfIFFLDrOKy1LbOIQvZoRjNgGFBr3lBmeQG5GKpC01gRgxFDpwaqJe8vCkG%2BeIEETzmW9hf2VRT4

ugR31SwT394P0HJlaBcWQoD9ievATyVGyLhHeKJoI5cxdrJ4Rkm9iKDmmepUF03QPdafwnrY5hBYrZ8EQMIxNBCbJmT1IDhHF88SaTO4a4iURvkp1I16wwAV9OzECg53ICLfwshe52tzj9o0UwXIs%2BDxtgleTogAYzFK4THG5vnoGMXRPOsxH9mgbQ1Quqr--2%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4rZr9X-Yw

Mischa Richter
eBay item description

Mischa Richter
eBay bid history
If you ever feel the need to place an early bid, don't.

Just Acquitted
Mischa Richter
The New Yorker, September 24, 1990, p. 39

Just Acquitted
Mischa Richter
Original cartoon art
The New Yorker, September 24, 1990, p. 39

With a spot drawing by S. Wilson and a cartoon by Mischa Richter

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1990-09-24/flipbook/038/

Spot of a basket
S. Wilson
The New Yorker, September 24, 1990, p. 38

Note:  And just who exactly is spot illustrator S. Wilson? I know this person is not a New Yorker cover artist or cartoonist, and not author/illustrator Sandra Wilson. But that's all I know.

04664

Mischa Richter: Strictly Business

Another four original comic panels of Mischa Richter's syndicated strip Strictly Richter changed hands on eBay in March. They date from the 1950s and not the 1960s despite the eBay seller's title. According to the seller, these cartoons are "about people and life." Why didn't I think of that?

The first panel was published late in 1955. It features an impatient artist reprimanding his model, improbably named Miss Drones. Oh, that's the joke. 

"Please, Miss Drones, not during business hours!"
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, December 24, 1955

Three years later, Richter is still spelling during with an extra n. He probably could have eliminated the word the from the caption. The artist was born in Ukraine, so we'll forgive him.

"I hope you don't mind. He always comes to see me during the visiting hours."
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, November 8, 1958

Concerns about cultural insensitivity were not widespread at the time.

"Have a smoke on me. It's a boy!"
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, July 29, 1958

I don't think overdose is the best word here.

"Pretty flowery for an overdose of sunburn."
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, December 24, 1955

Mischa Richter
eBay listing ended March 25, 2024

https://www.ebay.com/itm/355448944517?itmmeta=01HZTNBXJ30BPDDKBGG1CA73GX&hash=item52c2687785:g:gSMAAOSwKz9lxN8t&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4B%2FMSv2rCa9VwvMLvuiQ5jAL%2B5XkZbeh71cJGoA5IDgdyj8wecjEe4a4rmfaFmYCiUHSiIUk8RnpblPHIfR1aDSRfjiweiZz59Z1

b%2Fb5QuUMa5KvFY24n2Con2MTX29LpHO5sr7Xd4pMDpq3w4zfUArGLSfPJmponxGN79x2HDTjVSoWm4cOSOPbC0yWzb0PgSLDZw0m5Ki7uP5RUb9ylAXZFJZ0E7wNjQ9F12L7Z4tEXB5wf2qdJN41m21n0xWpweTrRv3qlQADuHSJZ28aHheh7PQqLtdq3RLOZ5slAPzI%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4rZr9X-Yw

Mischa Richter
eBay item description

Mischa Richter
eBay bid history
The lesson is to bid late, not early.

04663

Mischa Richter: Not Spoiled

Four original 1950s comic panels from the syndicated strip Strictly Richter were sold on eBay early in December. Of course, they are the work of Mischa Richter, today best remembered for his New Yorker cartoons. The panels convey the artist's range and versatility.

"I told him that I'm not really spoiled, I just want my own way!"
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, October 22, 1958

"He put me on everything he took you off of, dear.""
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, January 6, 1955

"What flavor?"
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, November 14, 1955

"Take a good look. This will probably never happen again.""
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, September 10, 1956

Mischa Richter
eBay listing ended December 6, 2023

https://www.ebay.com/itm/355163873807?itmmeta=01HQMB2Z4KBZZ7S3JM0S085BP1&hash=item52b16aa20f:g:PA4AAOSw9aNlRkN9&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwG5JA6AQPo6SL09f4QLWjWU42ShtnDAU5WPA2I932nn5RJG%2F7en76tcDuGgLNcWp0EG6nmi0Tn8I1qbLT9%2FsufqfbotoHR7

PAeafaBAOzzYHK6jPkxxBFUvkKTY8SqFo7%2FEOkgR9qMUVCLr7kaW%2FwKc%2F2rmdKOXgrOL2mJd6EDfCDNLzHGZCcgAtUjK%2FClaM45JmoDDkUDkdVTYpnnmxsYHuPR%2BXI5Saq64m1XIscHl2j6qqZhlz0XFyDhaYcrFcHw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6zyi4u9Yw

Mischa Richter
eBay item description

Mischa Richter
eBay bid history
As I never get tired of saying, the latest bid gets it

04596

Mischa Richter: Eleven Esquire Cartoons

A group of eleven full-page Esquire cartoons by Mischa Richter was sold on eBay in November. The early drawings, to my eye, show the influence of Syd Hoff and George Grosz.

"You're such a child, but I love you[.]"       "Boy! The  progress this younger generation has made since our day[.]"

"Hey[,] Butch! The gentleman you was expecting is here[.]"                     "Suave, ain't he?"

Mischa Richter
eBay listing ended November 25, 2023

https://www.ebay.com/itm/305059847700?itmmeta=01HQ7ENEVEMBHPG7VB550RJ9DY&hash=item4706fbde14:g:OioAAOSwB4lkz8uU&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4O94w8T6eTEgO0g0ivccmACM0ixnYdH%2FFw7N9xBW91vLW%2FVBnC3jP4esLdJsMXY0gvqUdRIBU25Q2TisS%2BKq7iIa9cengjHubaKG9n

sDQn4FGkYyeAv%2BJeRYAEn%2BA0PBYXVz9WpN0Ip32l12sdoKlZ5R%2FA3xkq3aLifhs%2Fm0fmxRiQv6voI%2FXJLkBuf%2BI853IL3YPuaYrzwrm1YIZqIiFV6Sdz1Kc1Ajv%2FwkNqnQXKo6Gu2DPPImbWYI1MYG4ndSXMLs01ZTuoUbmVellglgSDv7pW9eJsR4S1jNoL7bbdvY%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-Dt1e65Yw

Mischa Richter
eBay listing ended November 25, 2023

https://www.ebay.com/itm/305059847700?itmmeta=01HQ7ENEVEMBHPG7VB550RJ9DY&hash=item4706fbde14:g:OioAAOSwB4lkz8uU&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4O94w8T6eTEgO0g0ivccmACM0ixnYdH%2FFw7N9xBW91vLW%2FVBnC3jP4esLdJsMXY0gvqUdRIBU25Q2TisS%2BKq7iIa9cengjHubaKG9n

sDQn4FGkYyeAv%2BJeRYAEn%2BA0PBYXVz9WpN0Ip32l12sdoKlZ5R%2FA3xkq3aLifhs%2Fm0fmxRiQv6voI%2FXJLkBuf%2BI853IL3YPuaYrzwrm1YIZqIiFV6Sdz1Kc1Ajv%2FwkNqnQXKo6Gu2DPPImbWYI1MYG4ndSXMLs01ZTuoUbmVellglgSDv7pW9eJsR4S1jNoL7bbdvY%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-Dt1e65Yw

Mischa Richter
eBay item description 

04590