Sunday, February 5, 2023

The Art of the Redraw: Gahan Wilson's Book Store

A redraw by Gahan Wilson is being offered for sale by Argosy Book Store of New York. Redraws of cartoons typically come about when an original published drawing has been sold, given away, lost even—or perhaps the artist simply doesn't wish to part with it—but a buyer nevertheless wants to have a handmade copy. Here we know the original art was still in Wilson's possession. It seems the first drawing was commissioned by Pepper & Stern Rare Books, perhaps for a catalogue, as the firm's name appears reversed in the front window. (After all, that firm did once obtain art from R. Crumb for a book catalogue cover.) The redraw was created for James Low Autographs, and it is that shop whose name now appears reversed in the window.

"That? Oh, that's a leftover from more thoughtful days, I'm afraid!"
Original cartoon art
Gahan Wilson


The photograph of Wilson that accompanies the item shows both versions of the cartoon. Wilson is wearing a convention badge. The new drawing is similar enough to have been made with the use of a light box.



Argosy's listing calls this item a custom version of a New Yorker cartoon. I am unable to confirm this.
Gahan Wilson
AbeBooks listing accessed February 4, 2023



Note:  The art by R. Crumb for Pepper & Stern's 1984 catalogue and poster may be seen here.


Gahan Wilson's cartoon must have been published in order for James Lowe to have seen it. Was it in a Pepper & Stern catalogue, as I conjecture? Was it in The New Yorker, as the Argosy Book Store knowingly asserts? Either way, I'd like to hear about it.




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