Thursday, April 9, 2015

Barbara Shermund's Big-Game Hunter

A lovely, framed piece of preliminary New Yorker art by Barbara Shermund was sold on eBay in March. Such preliminary artwork lets us compare the artist's original conception of the cartoon with the final published 1934 version incorporating editorial changes. Along the way to publication, the big-game hunter's name is changed from the made-up Mr. Macspratton to the more plausible Mr. Mackintosh. The hunter's position has become more central in the published version where he holds up his rifle to demonstrate his shooting stance. As a result of this change, the speaker addressing her dog Toby, in order for us to see her, has to lean down a bit, which works well as it brings her closer to the dog. The overall result is a more dynamic composition in the published drawing, albeit a little less subtle.

Barbara Shermund, "Come, Toby--Mr. Macspratton won't hurt you."
Preliminary art. The New Yorker, October 20, 1934, page 23

Detail

The hand-written caption

Sticker on back of frame

Barbara Shermund, "Come, Toby--Mr. Macspratton won't hurt you."
Preliminary art. The New Yorker, October 20, 1934, page 23

Back of frame

Barbara Shermund, "Come, Toby--Mr. Macspratton won't hurt you."
Preliminary art. The New Yorker, October 20, 1934, page 23

EBay Item Ending March 28, 2015

EBay Item Description


Barbara Shermund, "Come, Toby--Mr. Macspratton won't hurt you."
Preliminary art. The New Yorker, October 20, 1934, page 23
[End of eBay listing]

Barbara Shermund, "Come, Toby, Mr. Mackintosh won't hurt you."
The New Yorker, October 20, 1934, page 23

Barbara Shermund, "Come, Toby, Mr. Mackintosh won't hurt you."
The New Yorker, October 20, 1934, page 23



May 26, 2016 Update:  This Barbara Shermund piece has been resold. The eBay seller has incorporated my images of the published New Yorker cartoon in the listing as well as my text comparing the preliminary art with the published art, lifted almost verbatim from this post without credit. The artwork has been removed from the good-looking frame and sold at a Buy It Now price that is double the original sale price.
Barbara Shermund, "Come, Toby--Mr. Macspratton won't hurt you."
Preliminary art. The New Yorker, October 20, 1934, page 23

Barbara Shermund's signature

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Barbara Shermund, "Come, Toby--Mr. Macspratton won't hurt you."
Preliminary art. The New Yorker, October 20, 1934, page 23

Barbara Shermund, "Come, Toby, Mr. Mackintosh won't hurt you."
The New Yorker, October 20, 1934, page 23

Barbara Shermund, "Come, Toby, Mr. Mackintosh won't hurt you."
The New Yorker, October 20, 1934, page 23

eBay Listing Ended May 6, 2016

eBay Item Description
I couldn't have said it better myself


eBay Bid History
The buyer used the Buy It Now option at a premium of $100 



Image added May 28, 2016


Note:  Many thanks to Michael Maslin for bringing this eBay item to my attention. Be sure to check out his Ink Spill blog and stay up to date with news about New Yorker cartoonists.

Take aim at my blog archives which have more work by Barbara Shermund, I'm happy to say.

Then you may hunt for the older posts featuring preliminary New Yorker cartoon art.

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