Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Bernard Schoenbaum: The Real Thing

In 1985, Coca-Cola announced that its legendary formula would be retired. In its place, the company would introduce a newly formulated soft drink called New Coke. The product launch was a marketing fiasco and the original formula soon had to be reintroduced as Coca-Cola Classic. Before the extent of this marketing failure was fully understood, Bernard Schoenbaum came up with a New Yorker cartoon that played on the spirit of the moment.

"If Coke can change after so many years, why can't you?"
Bernard Schoenbaum
Original art
The New Yorker, May 13, 1985, p. 52


The original art was offered on eBay, where the seller described it incorrectly as a "vintage 1985 New Yorker artist approval proof."

"If Coke can change after so many years, why can't you?"
Bernard Schoenbaum
Original art
The New Yorker, May 13, 1985, p. 52

"If Coke can change after so many years, why can't you?"
Bernard Schoenbaum
Original art
The New Yorker, May 13, 1985, p. 52


The seller wrote, "I am unsure who the artist is." The signature belongs to New Yorker cartoonist Bernard Schoenbaum.
Left detail

Right detail


The cartoon was a timely one, and it was therefore designated for publication in the "A" Issue, the next issue of the magazine to see publication.

The extensive printer's markings seem to have thrown off the eBay seller and very likely caused him to misidentify this piece as an artist's "approval proof."



Bernard Schoenbaum
eBay listing ended June 15, 2022

Bernard Schoenbaum
eBay item description






"If Coke can change after so many years, why can't you?"
Bernard Schoenbaum
Original art
The New Yorker, May 13, 1985, p. 52


A cartoon by Bernard Schoenbaum
https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1985-05-13/flipbook/052/





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