W. B. Park: Stout-Hearted Men

In 1981, The New Yorker could still expect a majority of its readers to spot a reference to a 1928 operetta in one of its cartoons. Don't look for any similar cultural nods in today's magazine. This drawing was W. B. Park's first New Yorker sale. The original art was sold on eBay late in September.

" . . . or, to put it another way: Give me some men who are stout[-]hearted men who will fight for the right they adore."
W. B. Park
Original art
The New Yorker, July 13, 1981, p. 25

Detail, top, with W. B. Park's signature

Detail, bottom, with W. B. Park's signature

Handwritten caption

The brown wrapper has layout instructions for scaling Park's signature to a smaller size. The artist's notation indicates that this was his first sale to the magazine, occuring on July 13, 1981.

W. B. Park
eBay listing ended September 29, 2024

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204866897479_skw=Rare+Original+The+New+Yorker+Illustration+Drawing+Published%2C+signed+%26+Fine&itmmeta=01JFEAMZEVBKKZ7M289K6Z6BX5&hash=item2fb304c647:g:EwEAAOSwB2lmhJDy&itmprp=enc%3AAQ

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W. B. Park
eBay item description

" . . . or, to put it another way: Give me some men who are stout-hearted men who will fight for the right they adore."
W. B. Park
The New Yorker, July 13, 1981, p. 25

" . . . or, to put it another way: Give me some men who are stout[-]hearted men who will fight for the right they adore."
W. B. Park
Original art
The New Yorker, July 13, 1981, p. 25

With drawings by William Steig and W. B. Park

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1981-07-13/flipbook/024/

For those who today may be unfamiliar with Sigmund Romberg's "The New Moon," here's the rousing anthem to which the Park cartoon refers:

"Stout-Hearted Men"

Nelson Eddy

"The New Moon" (1928, 1940 film)

Sigmund Romberg, composer

Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist

Williams Steig's drawing on the left side of the page makes for quite a contrast with the Park cartoon. There is no caption, just a title, and no joke. The spread of the open magazine was balanced both graphically and in the tone of the drawings.

Tiger Hunt by Moonlight
William Steig
The New Yorker, July 13, 1981, p. 24

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