My Entry in the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #578

Make way for my entry in the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #578 for July 31, 2017! The drawing is by Tom Cheney.

"More fake news."

I also pursued these two captions:

"The paparazzi are on to Paolo's pepperoni."
"You'll never guess where the Russia story just went."

August 14, 2017 Update:  The Finalists

August 21, 2017 Update:  I voted for the second caption.


August 28, 2017 Update:  Winning Caption

Note:  Last week, cartoonist David Borchart introduced the latest home dining experience. My caption wasn't even on the menu. Why not enjoy Contest #577 over a nice dinner for two at home?

Then chase down my old posts about Tom Cheney.

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Art Young: His Life and Times

Art Young inscribed this copy of Art Young:  His Life and Times (1939) to one Ethel Clyde. He also included a note dated 1940 with a drawing of a rising sun and a more elaborate inscription.

Book inscribed "To Ethel Clyde
with best wishes
From her friend
Art Young"

Note inscribed with a drawing: "To Ethel Clyde
With best wishes, and hope for
a happier world for everybody.
From your friend
Art Young/Feb. 4 1940"
Preceded by "P.S. If you would like an inscription
in my Life and Times—
tear off the following:"

Art Young
eBay Listing as of January 9, 2017

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ART-YOUNG-HIS-LIFE-AND-TIMES-1939-1ST-ED-NF-VG-INSCRIBED-W-NOTE-DRAWING-/272515066087?hash=item3f7329e8e7:g:bakAAOSwZQRYctK8

Image added May 2, 2019

https://www.abebooks.com/Art-Young-Life-Times-Edited-John/30284080210/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&cm_ite=readmore_high

Image added May 2, 2019

https://www.abebooks.com/Art-Young-Life-Times-Edited-John/30284080210/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&cm_ite=readmore_high

Note:  Tuesday is the publication date for To Laugh That We May Not Weep:  The Life and Times of Art Young. Enough time has passed since 1939 for a second Art Young Life and Times book.

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Art Young's Trees at Night

The April-May 1944 issue of Direction bills itself as the Art Young Issue. An article by Gilbert Wilson looks at the artist's Trees at Night.

Art Young
eBay Listing as of December 6, 2016

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1944-Art-Young-Issue-DIRECTION-The-Masses-Liberator-Amer-Satirical-Cartoonist-/311748962586?hash=item4895afa91a:g:i~EAAOSwA3dYOcYk

eBay Item Description

Note:  Tuesday is the official publication date for To Laugh That We May Not Weep:  The Life and Times of Art Young.

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Seen and Noted: A Note from Charles Addams

This note from Charles Addams on the New Yorker's letterhead was folded, unfortunately, over the signature, most likely by the cartoonist himself.

Charles Addams
eBay Listing Ended January 30, 2017

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Charles-Addams-signed-New-Yorker-stationery-Addams-Family-/252747856138?hash=item3ad8f2390a%3Ag%3ATOkAAOSw4DJYj54v&nma=true&si=YQGb25QThn5Fxe78BW8tTy6VzZY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Charles Addams
eBay Item Description

02258

Ziegfeld Legs: Larry Whittington Proposed New Yorker Cover Art

Cartoonist Larry Whittington never made it into the New Yorker. A cover proposal of his displays women's legs, beach blankets, and the summer sun. Of note, Whittington's sister Marjorie was a Ziegfeld's Follies star of the 1920's, known as "the girl with the million dollar legs." Her legs were insured, according to Alex Jay, for either $250,000 or $50,000. No word though on who, if anyone, posed for her brother's artwork.

Larry Whittington, proposed New Yorker cover art

Larry Whittington's signature

Larry Whittington
eBay Listing Ended November 8, 2015

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1920s-Larry-Whittington-New-Yorker-Cover-Watercolor-Original-Art-Signed-/252162530343?hash=item3ab60edc27%3Ag%3AOQAAAOSw%7EbFWP-Nv&nma=true&si=YQGb25QThn5Fxe78BW8tTy6VzZY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Larry Whittington, proposed New Yorker cover art

Note:  The source of the eBay seller's biographical information is Stripper's Guide, March 24, 2015.

Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:

Proposed New Yorker Cover Art

Attempted Bloggery's Million Dollar Index

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A Ballerina's Shadows: Donald Higgins Proposed New Yorker Cover Art

Donald Higgins published five New Yorker covers over the course of his career. All of them are scenes in very low light, the brightest being a predawn view of the rowboats on Central Park Lake. The bold linework here recalls the art of Bernard Buffett.

Donald Higgins, The New Yorker, October 2, 1965

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/19/db/82/19db82efcda1254e995c24afabe56a6f.jpg

Higgins's study of a ballerina with a multiplicity of shadows cast by stage lights is something of a departure for him in the preeminence of a figure with movement. Light and shadow are always important elements in the few pieces we have of his, and that remains true here. This composition might have made for an interesting magazine cover but, for whatever reason, it was not accepted.

Donald Higgins, proposed New Yorker cover

Ha!

Donald Higgins's signature

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Donald Higgins
eBay Listing Ended November 16, 2016

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Donald-Higgins-NEW-YORKER-Magazine-Ballerina-Cover-Acrylic-on-Board-Painting-yqz-/232135036349?hash=item360c538dbd%3Ag%3ATG8AAOSwMVdYHqWQ&nma=true&si=YQGb25QThn5Fxe78BW8tTy6VzZY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Donald Higgins
eBay Item Description

eBay Bid History
Eight bids, five in the final hour of which three were in the final minute

Donald Higgins, proposed New Yorker cover

The eBay listing is actually the second appearance of this work on the market. The piece was first offered on November 1, 2016 by William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals of Chadds Ford, PA with an estimate of $200-$400. It sold there for only $20.

Donald Higgins, proposed New Yorker cover

Donald Higgins's signature

Verso

Donald Higgins
William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals, Chadds Ford, PA
November 1, 2016

https://new.liveauctioneers.com/item/48518774_donald-higgins-20th-century-study-for-new-yorker

Note:  I don't know much about Donald Higgins and his work, but I'd certainly like to see more. Please send along scans and photos of any pieces you may have by this artist.

Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:

Proposed New Yorker Cover Art

Ballet

Attempted Bloggery's Graceful Index

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