Thursday, September 21, 2017

Books Signed by Abner Dean and Peter Arno

Two books signed by New Yorker cartoonists were sold together on eBay in June. Come As You Are: A book about people at parties is a 1952 first edition inscribed by Abner Dean. Dean is not so well remembered today although he was a master at rendering busy crowd scenes. Peter Arno's Man in the Shower is a classic 1944 collection named for one of Arno's most outrageously funny cartoons. The book is signed Peter with an inscription, but it has some serious condition issues.

Abner Dean, Come As You Are: A book about people at parties, 1952                           Peter Arno's Man in the Shower, 1944                  

Abner Dean, Come As You Are: A book about people at parties, 1952
Endpaper

Inscribed "To Catherine and Joe Porter—
Cordially,
Abner Dean"
Abner Dean,
 Come As You Are: A book about people at parties, 1952, first edition

The Arno book is marred by separation of the spine.
Peter Arno's 
Man in the Shower, 1944, second printing

Inscribed "To Anyse/with love/Peter"
Peter Arno's Man in the Shower, 1944, second printing




Peter Arno's Man in the Shower, 1944, second printing
Title page


"O'Hallihan, you know too much!"                                           "Have you tried an oculist!"


"Oh come now—a little Pousse Café never hurt anyone!"                  "Just what do they mean by 'untouchable'?"   

The Classics
III.  Macbeth
IV.  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

"That reminds me of a parable they were telling in Scranton, P-A."                     "Now, Arthur! No more remarks like that!"                    

"Mammy's little baby loves short'nin', short'nin',                                      "Then this is goodbye?"                
Mammy's little baby loves short'nin' bread..."                                                                                                 


Abner Dean and Peter Arno
eBay Listing Ended June 14, 2017

Abner Dean and Peter Arno
eBay Item Description

Abner Dean and Peter Arno
eBay Bid History
One bid



Note:  Whoops. I failed to record this seller's eBay auction of the rare cartoon book signed by cartoonist Mary Petty. By chance, did any reader succeed in copying the photographs?

I'm in the market for scans and photographs of rare and unusual books by the likes of Abner Dean, Peter Arno, Mary Petty, and other New Yorker artists. What's in your library?


Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives

Peter Arno

Abner Dean

Signed Books


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