Sunday, February 14, 2021

William Steig: A Proposal

William Steig's original cartoon for The New Yorker of December 6, 1958 has been listed by bookseller James Cummins with the caption "Sandra, my happiness is in your hands." Perhaps that's what's written on the original, or perhaps it's a transcribing error, but in either case it isn't the full published caption, which reads, "Sandra, my whole life's happiness is in your hands." That's much better, or at least more earnest, and it may reveal the guiding editorial hand of The New Yorker. The original can be yours, or your Valentine's, for a grand.

"Sandra, my happiness is in your hands."
William Steig
Original art
Published as "Sandra, my whole life's happiness is in your hands."
The New Yorker, December 6, 1958, page 45



William Steig
James Cummins, Bookseller listing accessed February 13, 2021



"Sandra, my happiness is in your hands."
William Steig
Original art
Published as "Sandra, my whole life's happiness is in your hands."
The New Yorker, December 6, 1958, page 45



"Sandra, my whole life's happiness is in your hands."
William Steig
The New Yorker, December 6, 1958, page 45



Cartoons by Dana Fradon and William Steig
There's also the tail-end of a Talk piece on caricaturist Al Hirschfeld.



Note:  Original art by William Steig often goes beyond the traditional bounds of gag cartoon humor to say something meaningful about life itself. Images of his original art are something I'm happy to post here on Attempted Bloggery. Reader submissions of scans or photos are welcome.



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