New Yorker cartoonist Peter Arno (1904-1968) occasionally repurposed a published gag idea for a different market. He didn't exactly copy himself, but he might on occasion revisit a very similar scenario. I got to thinking about this earlier in the month when I saw a New Yorker original of his on display at Swann Galleries a few days before the December 10 Illustration Art sale.
This gag is indeed a curiosity. First off, why are there two Peeping Toms? Wouldn't one be the more typical number? Two raises the ante. Why is this couple attracting a crowd? Well, we know it isn't because of the speaker, Arno's Timid Man. And why has Arno obscured the man's partner with the bed canopy? This means the voyeurs can see the hidden figure but we can't, a tantalizing state of affairs that leaves much to our imagination and allows for at least a possibility or two. Is his partner, as we might reasonably expect, one of Arno's typical voluptuous bombshells? That certainly would explain what all the fuss is about and I believe that is Arno's intention. But, to go out on a precarious limb, could his partner perhaps be a man? That would not be in any way typical for Arno, but the unconventional composition itself leaves just enough room for such a suggestion.
Now let's look at the published New Yorker cartoon alongside a related bit of mischief from College Humor:
The College Humor cartoon, on the other hand, doesn't try to leave anything to the imagination. I don't know the exact date it was published, but it seems to come roughly from the same time period and to be related at least somewhat to the New Yorker cartoon. My belief is that the New Yorker's cartoon came first, but it doesn't necessarily have to be so. Now the New Yorker's audience was a sophisticated and urbane crowd and they loved Arno's witty and suggestive gags. The College Humor gag seems a bit less nuanced, aimed at the younger unattached man eager to seek his pleasure at any and every opportunity. One suspects College Humor's readers must have loved Arno's work every bit as much as the New Yorker's readers did.
The listing from Swann Galleries includes the technical information and the sales result:
Note: My several posts on Peter Arno's appearances in College Humor may be eyeballed collectively here. You'll see just a few other examples of themes Arno used in both the New Yorker and College Humor. I am always eager to learn more about his non-New Yorker published gag cartoons including his original art from College Humor. Naturally, I would love to know which issue of the magazine contained "Your husband, Eleanor, what sort of a looking man is he?" I would also like to track down other College Humor Arno gags that have yet to appear on this blog. Can you help, Kind Reader?
Here's looking at you, kid.
 |
| "Pretend you don't notice them." Peter Arno Framed original art The New Yorker, March 10, 1934, page 18 |
This gag is indeed a curiosity. First off, why are there two Peeping Toms? Wouldn't one be the more typical number? Two raises the ante. Why is this couple attracting a crowd? Well, we know it isn't because of the speaker, Arno's Timid Man. And why has Arno obscured the man's partner with the bed canopy? This means the voyeurs can see the hidden figure but we can't, a tantalizing state of affairs that leaves much to our imagination and allows for at least a possibility or two. Is his partner, as we might reasonably expect, one of Arno's typical voluptuous bombshells? That certainly would explain what all the fuss is about and I believe that is Arno's intention. But, to go out on a precarious limb, could his partner perhaps be a man? That would not be in any way typical for Arno, but the unconventional composition itself leaves just enough room for such a suggestion.
Now let's look at the published New Yorker cartoon alongside a related bit of mischief from College Humor:
 |
"Pretend you don't notice them."
Peter Arno
The New Yorker, March 10, 1934, page 18
|
 |
| "Your husband, Eleanor, what sort of a looking man is he?" Peter Arno Nicholls Gallery contact sheet of original art College Humor, c. mid-1930s |
The listing from Swann Galleries includes the technical information and the sales result:
 |
"Pretend you don't notice them."
Peter Arno
Matted original art
The New Yorker, March 10, 1934, page 18
|
 |
"Pretend you don't notice them."
Peter Arno
Original art
The New Yorker, March 10, 1934, page 18
|
 |
| Peter Arno Swann Galleries |
 |
| [End of Swann Galleries Listing] |
 |
| Cartoons by Peter Arno and William Steig |
|
| "Pretend you don't notice them." Peter Arno Framed original art The New Yorker, March 10, 1934, page 18 |
Note: My several posts on Peter Arno's appearances in College Humor may be eyeballed collectively here. You'll see just a few other examples of themes Arno used in both the New Yorker and College Humor. I am always eager to learn more about his non-New Yorker published gag cartoons including his original art from College Humor. Naturally, I would love to know which issue of the magazine contained "Your husband, Eleanor, what sort of a looking man is he?" I would also like to track down other College Humor Arno gags that have yet to appear on this blog. Can you help, Kind Reader?
Here's looking at you, kid.
03122
No comments:
Post a Comment