Thursday, August 31, 2017

Gregory d'Alessio: Summer Fishing

The June 11, 1949 cover of Collier's features an illustration by Gregory d'Alessio. The summery image features an overcrowded recreational fishing boat. The illustration is very busy, probably too busy, but its message is clear: the big winners seem to be the seagulls.

Gregory d'Alessio, Collier's, June 11, 1949




Note:  Yesterday marked Gregory d'Alessio's first appearance on Attempted Bloggery. As I noted, Ink Spill has documented his work for the New Yorker appearing between 1934 and 1940. As you might guess, Attempted Bloggery seeks scans or photographs of original cartoon art by Mr. d'Alessio and other New Yorker artists. Clippings of cartoons and illustrations from Collier's and other publications are also needed to round out our appreciation of this artist.

Mr. d'Alessio's informative New York Times obituary may be seen here.


Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:

Summer
02289

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Gregory d'Alessio: Innocent Ankles

Cartoonist Gregory d'Alessio (1904-1993) published work in the New Yorker, Esquire, College Humor, and Collier's, and was syndicated nationally in newspapers. Later, he taught drawing at the Art Students League in New York. A clipping of a 1951 color cartoon of his published in Collier's can be found on Amazon, of all places. It illustrates the legal tactic of professing a female client's innocence to an all-male jury.

Gregory d'Alessio, Collier's, October 13, 1951

Amazon Closed Listing as of March 30, 2017


Note:  This is the artist's first appearance on this blog. According to Ink Spill, Gregory d'Alessio's New Yorker work appeared between 1934 and 1940. Attempted Bloggery seeks scans and photographs of original cartoon art by Gregory d'Alessio as well as other New Yorker artists. Clippings of cartoons and illustrations from other publications are also sought to round out our appreciation of this artist. Mr. d'Alessio's New York Times obituary may be seen here.


Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:

Lawyers
02288

Monday, August 28, 2017

My Entry in the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #581

I'm handing down my entry in the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #581 for August 28, 2017. The drawing is by Benjamin Schwartz.

"It's not a commandment, but if you
love Me you'll wear it."



I had to leave the computer for a few hours and when I returned, I saw that my daughters had left me a few captions:
"The sorting sweater assigns you... Team Turtleneck!"
"We shall call you Waldo."
"Wear this to your manicure; make a left at The Gates."
"This sweater has no commandments, but it's cute."



September 4, 2017 Update:  The Finalists



September 11, 2017 Update:  I voted for the first caption.


September 18, 2017 Update:  Winning Caption



Note:  Last week, cartoonist Frank Cotham set up a comfy hammock in the throne room. I must have nodded off while writing my caption. Set your alarm for Contest #580.

Benjamin Schwartz has been known to create a caption contest or two.

02287

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Mischa Richter: Sporting Lady Liberty

Cartoonist Mischa Richter included Lady Liberty—usually accompanied by her partner Uncle Sam—as a recurring character in many of his New Yorker cartoons. Back in a 1977 cartoon, he showed her sporting side. Now, as the U.S. Open gets under way in Forest Hills, it seems a good time to revisit the original art, which was just sold on eBay.

Mischa Richter
Original art
The New Yorker, August 8, 1977, page 28


The item is marred by cracked glass in the corner of the frame.

Detail showing the paper has signs of handling

Detail





Mischa Richter
eBay Listing Ended June 4, 2017

Mischa Richter
eBay Item Description

Mischa Richter
The New Yorker, August 8, 1977, page 28

Mischa Richter
Original art
The New Yorker, August 8, 1977, page 28
Mischa Richter
The New Yorker, August 8, 1977, page 28

Cartoons by Mischa Richter and James Stevenson
The New Yorker, August 8, 1977, pages 28-29


Note:  Attempted Bloggery seeks scans and photographs of original cartoon art by Mischa Richter and other New Yorker artists. If you are in possession of such artwork, the ball is in your court.


Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:

Mischa Richter
02286

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Mischa Richter: Waiting for the Evidence

Original cartoon art by Mischa Richter for a 1987 New Yorker cartoon raises the issue of just when skepticism becomes unhealthy. Now, thirty years later, skepticism has become denial and more deniers than ever are pretending the evidence has yet to come in!

"Then we've agreed that all the evidence isn't in, and that even if all
the evidence were in, it still wouldn't be definitive."
Mischa Richter
Original art
The New Yorker, 
June 15, 1987, page 30

"Then we've agreed that all the evidence isn't in, and that even if all
the evidence were in, it still wouldn't be definitive."
Mischa Richter

The New Yorker, June 15, 1987, page 30

Mischa Richter
eBay Listing Ended May 4, 2017

Mischa Richter
eBay Item Description

eBay Bid History
The penultimate bid wins.


"Then we've agreed that all the evidence isn't in, and that even if all
the evidence were in, it still wouldn't be definitive."
Mischa Richter
Original art
The New Yorker, 
June 15, 1987, page 30

Drawings by Mischa Richter and Tom Cheney
The New Yorker, 
June 15, 1987, pages 30-31


Note:  Still skeptical about whether New Yorker cartoons are fine art? Then Attempted Bloggery clearly needs more evidence to make the case. Please send along scans and photographs of original cartoon art by Mischa Richter or other New Yorker artists. Do you have the definitive New Yorker masterpiece that can convince the doubters? Of course you don't; nothing can convince the doubters.


Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:

Mischa Richter
02285

Friday, August 25, 2017

Mischa Richter: Canine Considerations

A dog seen in the original art to a 1988 Mischa Richter's New Yorker cartoon rethinks his traditional relationship with humanity. Things were rough back then. What on earth would the dog think today? More to the point here, why should a cartoon that's kept its relevance for thirty years remain so undervalued by the market?

I FIND IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO  REMAIN MAN'S BEST FRIEND
Mischa Richter original art
The New Yorker, February 22, 1988, page 96


Mischa Richter
eBay Listing Ended February 8, 2017


Mischa Richter
eBay Item Description

eBay Bid History
Twenty-one bids and the second-to-last one wins.



I FIND IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO  REMAIN MAN'S BEST FRIEND
Mischa Richter original art
The New Yorker, February 22, 1988, page 96


http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=1988-02-22#folio=096


Note:  Why is some New Yorker art so undervalued? Perhaps it's because it's still relatively underappreciated. Attempted Bloggery seeks to educate the public on the artistry that goes into New Yorker cartoons. I am eager to publish scans and photographs of original cartoon art by Mischa Richter and other New Yorker artists. Please see what you can do to help. My dog will thank you.

Yesterday's blog post about  a faux Peter Arno drawing was mentioned on Ink Spill, a blog about New Yorker cartoonist news and events written by Michael Maslin, Arno's biographer. His book Peter Arno: The Mad Mad World of The New Yorker’s Greatest Cartoonist (Regan Arts, 2016) is available on Amazon now for a ridiculously low price here.


Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:

Mischa Richter
02284