William James, Jr.'s, Copy of Conclusive Evidence by Vladimir Nabokov

 Vladimir Nabokov's memoir Conclusive Evidence retailed for $3.00 when it was published in 1951. Chapter 6 is "Butterflies," which was originally published in The New Yorker. In 1952, the author, a lifelong lepidopterist, signed a copy for William James, Jr., and added a detailed drawing of a butterfly. This exquisite copy of the book, with James's printed name and Cambridge address, isavailable today from Whitmore Rare Books, Inc., of Pasadena, for $35,000.

Vladimir Nabokov
AbeBooks listing accessed March 10, 2026

https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/Conclusive-Evidence-Inscribed-original-butterfly-artwork/32402485628/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&ref_=pe_aep_AEP_wants_buyer-wants&cm_ite=viewbook_high

Vladimir Nabokov
AbeBooks item description

Chapter 6 got its start in The New Yorker of June 12, 1948.

With a cartoon by Robert Day, left, and then a spot drawing of a mailbox by Esther Pressoir on the first page of "Butterflies" by Vladiimir Nabokov

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1948-06-12/flipbook/024/

April 19, 2026 Update:  Sold, apparently.

Note:  Peter Kuper pays tribute to Nabokov's passion for butterflies in Insectopolis: A Natural History (2025). I photographed the original Nabokov artwork at his Society of Illustrators show here.

05224

Richard Taylor and Robert Day for the United States Playing Card Compnay

"How long since you've bought new cards?" asked the United States Playing Card Company back in 1941. Each of their six brands could provide players "with fresh, clean cards" according to their print advertising. Cartoonists Richard Taylor and Robert Day set the scenes. But why are there no women at the card tables?

"It's the only way George can shuffle
those old, limp cards of his."
Richard Taylor

"Fred isn't sure, but he thinks
they're all hearts."
Robert Day

The source for these ads is eBay. Here are the sales details on the Taylor:

Richard Taylor
eBay listing ended April 13, 2025

https://www.ebay.com/itm/316520030353?_skw=%22Richard+Taylor%22&itmmeta=01JYZ7YMESDQD5F1EYA6271DWM&hash=item49b2106091:g:JEgAAOSwLPVj8lDX&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fmde%2B3OLxHR9JKFuRGuUujc%2F2b4CS3ad%2BrbfzJSKkJUWGCw1q0DhE%2F9cAZbXRG6%2FktgLgbpQAIdvUzUlGvCCk8ECGjR6wg4HEs0jkJyROy%2FxyBG7scHOGB3c7tsOdXWOebLIyChEjLK%2BDhv11jXZmNlFIgzD6uzwkJhm5GPd4zJBmE%2Bkaf6YNQSchmOcN6UbjTbgVadrzaYHSmCoInmpdc1RyaMmnAK00stH3QM7mzCNSD7r66QZimkjcYHhhrlpk%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8LH-uf3ZQ

Richard Taylor
eBay item description

And the same for the Day, as yet unsold:

Robert Day
eBay listing accessed June 6, 2025

https://www.ebay.com/itm/306362328650?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160811114145%26meid%3D0a3061dfe1a24b8886daee44fa09b650%26pid%3D100667%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D187261465167%26itm%3D306362328650%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2351460&_trksid=p2351460.c100667.m2042

Robert Day
eBay item description

04994

Robert Day: The Trouble With Harry

An original Robert Day cartoon that appeared in The New Yorker in October of 1961 was sold at Heritage Auctions on May 2. Heritage's caption is not as tightly worded as the published one; possibly the auction house copied it from somewhere on the artwork in Day's hand. Or it could be just sloppy transcription as the auction house got the date of the issue wrong too. Day's drawing takes us to a Manhattan construction site where things just aren't going well.

"Look, Harry, you bumped into the subway again!"
Published as "Watch it, Harry! You've hit the subway again!"
Robert Day
Original art
The New Yorker, October 14, 1961, p. 48

Day produced a fine composition here. Way up above on the right, a bishop's crook lamppost indicates where street level is. Down below, our eye is skillfully directed from left to right. The construction site is convincingly rendered so that we are all the more surprised to see what the crane has excavated. The worried expressions of the construction crew contrast nicely with the obliviousness of the seasoned subway riders. We can enjoy the laugh knowing no one has been hurt—or even mildly disturbed.

Now, in order to ascertain Day's original caption, I'd prefer to see here not the matte, but whatever may be concealed underneath:

"Look, Harry, you bumped into the subway again!"
Published as "Watch it, Harry! You've hit the subway again!"
Robert Day
Matted original art
The New Yorker, October 14, 1961, p. 48

Robert Day
Heritage Auctions sale of May 2, 2025

https://fineart.ha.com/itm/mainstream-illustration/robert-day-american-20th-century-look-harry-you-bumped-into-the-subway-again-new-yorker-cartoon-/a/8199-71131.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Archive-MyTrackedLots-101116#

Robert Day
Heritage Auctions item description

[End of Heritage Auctions listing]

Here's how this cartoon first appeared in print:

"Watch it, Harry! You've hit the subway again!"
Robert Day
The New Yorker, October 14, 1961, p. 48

"Watch it, Harry! You've hit the subway again!"
Robert Day
Original art
The New Yorker, October 14, 1961, p. 48

With a cartoon by Robert Day

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1961-10-14/flipbook/048/

04938

Saul Steinberg at "Drawn From The New Yorker: A Centennial Celebration"

Saul Steinberg's New Yorker cover of January 17, 1959, is one that needs to be not only seen but read. The central figure on the impossibly grandiose monument depicted is Prosperity unfettered, while the surrounding paired figures reveal so very much about the contradictions inherent in America that Steinberg observed through his immigrant's eyes. The striking original art is currently on view at the Society of Illustrators, part of the essential show "Drawn From The New Yorker: A Centennial Celebration" curated by Liza Donnelly.

Saul Steinberg
Original art
The New Yorker, January 17, 1959

Saul Steinberg
The New Yorker, January 17, 1959

https://www.ebay.com/itm/315976742221....

Meanwhile, the breadth of Steinberg's wildly inventive drawings inside the magazine is represented by a single image from 1963.

Saul Steinberg
Print
The New Yorker, February 23, 1963, p. 24

 

Saul Steinberg
The New Yorker, February 23, 1963, p. 24

With drawings by Saul Steinberg and Robert Day

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1963-02-23/flipbook/024/

* * *

It's not a part of the exhibition, of course, but on the printed page Steinberg's linear flight of artistic fancy is set opposite a wash drawing by Robert Day seeking humor in the not-so-humdrum daily business commute.

"A stockholder, maybe."
Robert Day
The New Yorker, February 23, 1963, p. 24

04890

Robert Day: What Would Cagney Do?

An original New Yorker drawing by cartoonist Robert Day (1900-1985) was presented by the artist to actor James Cagney (1899-1986), for whom it must have held special significance. It was given as a Christmas gift, probably in 1956, which was the year of the cartoon's publication. Day and his wife, "Rob & Buffie," were evidently on a first name basis with Cagney, whose surname alone back then would have identified him to much of the world. The artwork was sold by Doyle in 2000 at the Cagney Auction.

"I just asked myself what Cagney would have done if he were in my place, and here I am."
Robert Day
Original art
The New Yorker, December 8, 1956, p. 50

Robert Day
Doyle:  The Cagney Auction, september 27, 2000, lot 144

https://www.doyle.com/auction/lot/lot-144---robert-day-american-b-1900-i-just-asked/?lot=791977&so=4&st=Yorker&sto=0&au=&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=1&pp=96&pn=2&g=1

"I just asked myself what Cagney would have done if he were in my place, and here I am."
Robert Day
The New Yorker, December 8, 1956, p. 50

"I just asked myself what Cagney would have done if he were in my place, and here I am."
Robert Day
Original art
The New Yorker, December 8, 1956, p. 50

With a cartoon by Robert Day and a spot drawing by Arthur Getz

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1956-12-08/flipbook/050/

Mail call!

Arthur Getz
Spot drawing
The New Yorker, December 8, 1956, p. 51

04767

Robert Day: From the Collection of Paul P. Goldberg

In an autograph drawing from 1966, cartoonist Robert Day depicts himself sending friendly greetings from his drawing table. He also wishes a happy birthday to collector Paul P. Goldberg, who may have departed slightly from his usual request by mail to mention the big day.

"Hi, Paul!
Best wishes
for your birthday.
/        
Robt
Day
May 29
1966"

Robert Day
eBay listing ended January 9, 2024

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176150128865?itmmeta=01HV0AAP4YH2CGWFDMQ9V74ZYZ&hash=item29035da8e1:g:PBgAAOSwxWZllLLS

Robert Day
eBay item description

Robert Day
eBay bid history
Two bidders place two bids. The one who bides his time gets it. Maybe you know him.

04614