Whitney Darrow, Jr.: A Good Lesson for Eugene

A 1966 New Yorker cartoon original by Whitney Darrow, Jr., was sold at Heritage Auctions in February. It was from the collection of Irvin Greif, Jr. 

"But, Eugene, it's not enough to                              
be gifted. We've got to do something with our gift."
Original art
Whitney Darrow, Jr.
The New Yorker, November 19, 1966, p. 61

The setting is a suburban classroom, in what is in all likelihood a private school. The teacher wishes to impart an  important lesson to Eugene.

"But, Eugene, it's not enough to                              
be gifted. We've got to do something with our gift."
Framed and matted original art
Whitney Darrow, Jr.
The New Yorker, November 19, 1966, p. 61

It's a good lesson for Eugene. But he does seem skeptical.

"But, Eugene, it's not enough to                              
be gifted. We've got to do something with our gift."
Original art
Whitney Darrow, Jr.
The New Yorker, November 19, 1966, p. 61

On Bainbridge Board

The bidding opened at $1. Who could possibly resist? (But the buyer's premium did start at $49.)

Whitney Darrow, Jr.
Heritage Auctions listing of February 6, 2026, some 20 days before the sale

https://fineart.ha.com/itm/mainstream-illustration/whitney-darrow-jr-american-1909-1999-it-s-not-enough-to-be-gifted-new-yorker-cartoon-1966-charcoal-ink-and/a/15263-17110.s?ic10=ExpandedResults-Thumbnail-022817#

It was sold to an internet bidder:

Whitney Darrow, Jr.
Heritage Auctions item description

The original art is now toned. It looked great in the pages of The New Yorker:

"But, Eugene, it's not enough to                              
be gifted. We've got to do something with our gift."
Original art
Whitney Darrow, Jr.
The New Yorker, November 19, 1966, p. 61

"But, Eugene, it's not enough to                              
be gifted. We've got to do something with our gift."
Whitney Darrow, Jr.
The New Yorker, November 19, 1966, p. 61

With drawings by Al Ross and Whitney Darrow, Jr.

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1966-11-19/flipbook/060/

* * * 

On the facing page, Al Ross's more linear, unshaded style contrasts nicely with Darrow's. Ross comments on the Vietnam War. The speaker is not that many years older than Darrow's children.

"Did you ever realize that one of those little things will destroy everything within 
a half mile, regardless of race, creed, or color?"
Al Ross
The New Yorker, November 19, 1966, p. 60

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