Ronald Searle: "All in the Family" (1972)

Until Saturday, there have been no original drawings by Ronald Searle listed on eBay since I started this blog almost seven months ago. Now less than two weeks after his death was announced to the world, some original magazine art has been put up for sale. It is the original illustration art for the TV Guide cover of May 27, 1972, featuring caricatures of Caroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton of "All in the Family." Has it really been forty years?

Anyway, the timing seems right to take advantage of all the recent attention to Searle's incredible legacy. Indeed, the artwork is already sold, for a Buy It Now price of $4,500, fewer than 24 hours after it was listed on Saturday. The price of $4,500 (plus $150 for shipping) is by no means trivial, but interest in Searle is especially keen right now, and magazine cover art, I suppose, can command a premium. It doesn't hurt that the subjects are still familiar to many of us after forty years. Nevertheless, I really didn't expect this to sell in less than a day! The seller's instincts were clearly very good, although he may now wish he had asked for more, or even tried a traditional auction format!

From the eBay listing:

Ronald Searle, Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton of "All in the Family,"
TV Guide, May 27,1972

And so, less than 24 hours after this was listed, it was all over:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390382239371?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_793wt_1180

Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, and Sally Struthers backstage at the 1972 Emmy Awards.

 http://www.vcstar.com/photos/galleries/2011/oct/13/sally-struthers-stars-miss-hannigan-annie/30516/

June 1,  2013 Update:  It was announced today that actress Jean Stapleton has died at the age of 90. Carroll O'Connor passed away in 2001.

Note: You can see more of Searle's work for TV Guide at the Ronald Searle Tribute blog. My own previous post on Ronald Searle is here.

0207