In Bruce's copy of Gahan Wilson'sAmerica, (1985),the cartoonist dedicates the book to "a fellow Lovecraftian." The creature Wilson has drawn so deftly in the book is H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu, "A monster of vaguely anthropoid outline, but with an octopus-like head whose face was a mass of feelers, a scaly, rubbery-looking body, prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind."
Gahan Wilson AbeBooks listing accessed February 8, 2023
Scar Strangled Banger is Ralph Steadman's 1987 satirical collection on the subject of the United States. A signed copy from the year of publication is currently offered on AbeBooks for $200. It's a hefty price but the book includes a quick sketch of what I take to be a cow's skull.
Ralph Steadman,Scar Strangled Banger London: Harrap Ltd., 1987
Signed by Ralph Steadman with a drawing of a cow's skull 3 Nov. '87
Ralph Steadman's signature
Ralph Steadman Sport
Ralph Steadman Left Bank of the Rio Grande
Ralph Steadman AbeBooks Listing Retrieved June 5, 2018
Note: Signed books and original art by Ralph Steadman could well be on every blog in America, but for some reason they aren't. Help me keep them on this one. Send in your scans and photos please.
Ralph Steadman'sAmerica (1989) comes with a disclaimer: "What you see in these drawings, of course, is not you Americans. They are only cartoons—not to be taken seriously—disregard them. They are terrible propaganda and obviously the ravings of a demented scribbler!" What a relief! In 2006, Mr. Steadman inscribed a copy of the book to Stephen Parr and added some teeth on the C in America just in case his drawings didn't have enough bite.
Ralph Steadman,America, 1989
Inscribed with a sketch of teeth "For Stephen Parr, Ralph Steadman 2006."
Note: Say, would you like to contribute to this blog? I'll take original drawings, jottings, letters, scratchings, doodles, sketches, or anything else by Ralph Steadman for use here. How's that for an offer?
Try not to miss "A Retrospective: Ralph Steadman" at the Society of Illustrators in New York, New York. It's a helluva town. Through October 22.
Here is my entry in the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #487 for August 31, 2015. The drawing is by Michael Crawford.
"I'm the sole survivor of the pub crawl."
I think I was wise not to submit this one:
"Have you seen a horse with no name?"
An explanation for those who don't remember:
"A Horse with No Name" (1971)
Performed by America
Music and lyrics by Dewey Bunnell
September 7, 2015 Update:The Finalists
September 21, 2015 Update: Winning Caption
Note: Last week, Julia Suits brought a pet along to a Viking battle. Unfortunately, my caption was not housebroken. See the unHaralded results of Contest #486.
Attempted Bloggery's posts about cartoonist Michael Crawford now include an account of a recent gallery opening where your blogger was in attendance.
