Collectively, covers of The New Yorker magazine represent some of the finest achievements in illustration over the past ninety-seven years. New Yorker covers consist of art with superimposed logo, date, and price; unlike most magazines, there are no blurbs competing with the cover art. The published covers may be beautiful, thought-provoking, collectable, and framable. A New Yorker cover may be priceless. But is a New Yorker cover worth $2,795?
That's the price eBay seller Pacific Vintage Paper of Newberg, Oregon, is asking for its vintage paper products. These include a wide selection of printed New Yorker covers to be sure, but also Good Housekeeping covers and print advertisements. The price is the same for covers from 1934 or 2008, for covers by Saul Steinberg or Seth, for covers without or with mailing labels.
So is this a sign of runaway inflation? Is it an avaricious play for obscene profit? Not necessarily. Pacific Vintage Paper has 100% positive feedback on eBay and offers unhappy customers full refunds. The seller writes, "I am a historian and educator by trade and deal in paper as a hobby. 100% of all profits from my eBay sales are donated to children's non-profit organizations for kids to be involved in their community and go to summer camps." Could it be that the magazine covers and other vintage paper are intended to be attractive tokens of appreciation for donors? All the sales have Make Offer options. It could be that all reasonable offers are accepted, essentially allowing buyers to set the level of their financial support. But it might prove difficult for these buyers to claim a tax deduction.
 |
Gretchen Dow Simpson
The New Yorker, April 24, 1978 |
 |
Gretchen Dow Simpson
eBay listing accessed September 2, 2022
|
 |
Gretchen Dow Simpson
eBay item description |
 |
| Never leave out the Dow in Dow Simpson. |
 |
| For that kind of money, it's Ronald Searle. |
 |
| There's no difference in price between New Yorker covers, Good Housekeeping covers, and print ads. |
 |
| Should one buy a Murad Turkish cigarette ad or a New Yorker cover? It's the buyer's choice. Unfortunately, the cover by Abe Birnbaum is folded down the middle, as is the case with a number of the other covers offered. |
 |
| For what it's worth ($2,795), I prefer The New Yorker's covers to Good Housekeeping's. |
04065
No comments:
Post a Comment