Sunday, January 26, 2020

Mischa Richter: Taming of the Shrew Scarf for Richard A. Farrar

I come to wive it wealthily in Padua;
If wealthily, then happily in Padua.
The Taming of the Shrew, Act I, scene ii


As we have seen, New Yorker artists Charles Addams, Helen E. Hokinson, Anatol Kovarsky, and Otto Soglow were enlisted by Richard A. Farrar to design scarves for his label in the 1940s and 1950s. Addams's design incorporated characters from his namesake Family before it was so named. Hokinson's design has not yet made it to the internet, apparently. Kovarsky and Soglow each contributed at least two designs. And now, via eBay, we have a standard small silk scarf, 17 x 16.5 inches, in green, black, and white by cartoonist Mischa Richter. The title is Taming  of the Shrew after the popular Shakespeare play. It has a central title area with signature that incorrectly depicts the Tower of Pisa—never located in Padua—along with a cherub and a lute. Four corners have vignettes from the play and there is a surrounding border showing phases of the moon.

Mischa Richter
Taming of the Shrew scarf design in green, black, and white for Richard A. Farrar

The Leaning Tower of . . . Padua?
Taming of the Shrew copyright Richter

Music appreciation:  Katherine and Hortensio's encounter

It is actually not at all Shakespearean for Petruchio to use a whip on Katherine. The stage practice comes from David Garrick's 1754 performing version Catharine and Petruchio.










Petruchio and Katherine head off early on their honeymoon even before the wedding feast.


Happily ever after


Richard A. Farrar tag


Saks Fifth Avenue tag


Detail of moon border


Copyright and signature



Mischa Richter
Taming of the Shrew Scarf
eBay listing accessed January 7, 2020

Mischa Richter
Taming of the Shrew Scarf
eBay item description accessed January 7, 2020
Sold for a best offer of $30




January 30, 2024 Update:  A specimen of this scarf in brown has been sold on eBay.


Note:  My sincere thanks to Joel Jacobus, specialist in Charles Addams memorabilia, who alerted me earlier this month to the eBay listing for this scarf when it showed up out of the blue.

The story of these Richard A. Farrar scarves designed by New Yorker cartoonists remains incomplete. Readers with new information about them should get in touch. Other scarf designs and color combinations, if any, are sought after here as well.

This blog can always use further examples of original art, as well as published rarities, by Mischa Richter.






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