Pity Sotheby's London. In selling off the collection of Mark Birley, they had to deal with eight cartoons by various artists, five of them Americans. So how did they categorize lot 452? Why, it's
Miscellaneous, of course!
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| Eight cartoons from the Mark Birley collection |
First up,
The Greeter at Annabel's strikes me as a bit primitive, particularly in the crude rendering of the hands. Perhaps I detect the influence of David Levine or Ranan Lurie in this caricature by
John Springs.
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| John Springs, The Greeter at Annabel's |
Sotheby's didn't recognize that this cartoon by
Frank Modell was published in the
New Yorker in 1977. Unfortunately, the artwork was executed in felt tip pen. Not even forty years old, it has faded exceedingly. I hope this prolific artist's other drawings have fared better.
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Frank Modell, "Look, if I'm boring you, say so."
Original artwork for the New Yorker, June 27, 1977, p. 29 |
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Frank Modell, "Look, if I'm boring you, say so."
The New Yorker, June 27, 1977, p. 29 |
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Frank Modell, "Look, if I'm boring you, say so."
The New Yorker, June 27, 1977, p. 29 |
Mischa Richter's New Yorker cartoon has fared considerably better. The magazine used to frame some of the less marketable drawings in this manner with published text revealed in windows in the matte. These were given, I believe, as corporate gifts.
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Mischa Richter, "It's very gratifying, but there's a lot of responsibility that goes along with it."
Original artwork for the New Yorker, July 16, 1984, p. 57 |
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Mischa Richter, "It's very gratifying, but there's a lot of responsibility that goes along with it."
The New Yorker, July 16, 1984, p. 57 |
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Mischa Richter, "It's very gratifying, but there's a lot of responsibility that goes along with it."
The New Yorker, July 16, 1984, p. 57 |
Gary Larson's "The Far Side" panel strip needs no introduction, I suppose. It's interesting that he inscribed this original right in the middle of the image and added a small, unrelated drawing there.
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Gary Larson, "One of the nicest evenings I've ever spent at the Wilson's...and then you had to go and do that on the rug!"
"The Far Side," November 5, 1980
Inscribed with drawing "To Mr. Birley/Happy Birthday!/Gary Larson" |
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Gary Larson, "One of the nicest evenings I've ever spent at the Wilson's...and then you had to go and do that on the rug!"
"The Far Side," November 5, 1980
As reprinted in the Tufts Daily, February 24, 1989, p. 15
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Of course, I'd like to know where and when this
Peter Arno cartoon was published. Anybody?
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| Peter Arno, "Yes, this is the 'A.1. Physical Culture School'!" 1932 |
This political cartoon by
Steve Breen from ten years ago strikes me as an unexceptional idea, although it is reasonably well-drawn. It isn't especially partisan, either.
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Steve Breen, Study Finds Owners and Their Pets Look Alike...
San Diego Union-Tribune, April 1, 2004
Inscribed "Best wishes, Steve Breen" |
Does anyone know who this cartoonist is?
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| Artist Unknown (Brewster?) [English School, 20th Century], "If there's one thing I can't stand it's being called a doyen." |
Finally, here's some rugby humor from
Terence Parkes ("Larry"), for those who can't get by on cricket humor alone.
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| Terence Parkes ("Larry"), Scrum |
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| Eight cartoons from the Mark Birley collection |
Note: Peter Arno's cartoons have been known to appear in the blog.
Here, for example.
Frank Modell's cartoons have also made the rounds
here.
Mischa Richter too. See his cartoons on the blog
here.
Maybe one day I'll give equal time to
Terence Parkes ("Larry"). Meanwhile, there's a nice selection of his artwork at Chris Beetles
here.
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