Ilonka Karasz: Alas, Poor Yorker

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio—a fellow

of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.

"Hamlet," V.i

The New Yorker artist Ilonka Karasz (1896-1981) created extraordinary covers for the magazine from its first year in 1925 through its forty-eighth in 1973. While her art adorned the magazine's cover one-hundred eighty-six times, it is unusual to find a piece by her that is actually about The New Yorker.

Such a work was offered on eBay in 2017, an illustration that simulated the effect of flipping through the pages of the magazine. Familiar sections are visible: "Profiles," "Goings On About Town," "Tables for Two." Three writers are referenced by surname: Emily Hahn, John O'Hara, and Sally Benson. The cover of the fictitious issue is about the theatre with fancy dress hats, a showgirl, and a pair of eyeglasses. The title of the piece, Alas, Poor Yorker, is also a tongue-in-cheek theatrical reference.

The art is dated May 1947 and appears to have been created for a specific purpose. My conjecture is that it could have been printed as an invitation to a party for the writers or editorial staff of the magazine.

Ilonka Karasz
eBay listing ended May 14, 2017

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ilonka-Karasz-Hungarian-American-1896-1981-Project-For-034-New-Yorker-034-1947-/322511118571?hash=item4b172920eb%3Ag%3A--8AAOSwq1JZEh9B&nma=true&si=YQGb25QThn5Fxe78BW8tTy6VzZY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Ilonka Karasz
eBay item description

Ilonka Karasz
eBay bid history
The last bidder gets it, but there's not a lot of enthusiasm here.

Note:  I would appreciate hearing from anyone who knows anything about this original illustration by Ilonka Karasz.

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