Peter Arno: Rank Insecurity

A work of original cartoon art by Peter Arno appears to date from America's entry into the Second World War. At the time, many civilians rushed into military service and were unfamiliar with the finer points of military protocol. Note how Arno has folded back one of the panels of the mirror to avoid drawing complicated and potentially distracting reflections. Presumably Arno only initialed the art for publication and later signed it for presentation. Owners James H. and Candace Van Alen were a society couple who were founders of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. Mrs. Van Alen died in 2002 and property from the estate was sold later in the year.

"Are you sure this is a lieutenant commander's uniform?"
Peter Arno, original art, The New Yorker, August 1, 1942, page 25
Published as "You're sure this is a lieutenant commander's uniform?"

Sotheby's New York, November 3, 2002, Lot 40

Sotheby's

Just to be clear on this question:

Lieutenant Commander Insignia, United States Navy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_commander_(United_States)

"Are you sure this is a lieutenant commander's uniform?"
Peter Arno, original art, The New Yorker, August 1, 1942, page 25
Published as "You're sure this is a lieutenant commander's uniform?"

March 16, 2017 Update:  This post has been updated to reflect the cartoon's publication with a slightly different caption in the New Yorker of August 1, 1942.

"Are you sure this is a lieutenant commander's uniform?"
Peter Arno, original art, The New Yorker, August 1, 1942, page 25
Published as "You're sure this is a lieutenant commander's uniform?"

http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=1942-08-01#folio=024

Note:  All hands on deck! Do you have original artwork by Peter Arno to share on this blog? You owe it to your country to divulge whatever you know. At ease!

Click on the handy links for more bloggery about Peter Arno, original cartoon art, or World War II. That's an order!

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