A Charles Saxon drawing known as Deck Chairs looks for all the world like a cartoon missing its caption. The setting is the shaded deck of a cruise ship. Passengers are wearing coats and some are reclining on deck chairs under heavy blankets. The woman second from the left is speaking to another woman next to her, turning away from a man who is, possibly, her husband. An attentive member of the crew is standing in the background.
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| Deck Chairs Charles Saxon |
The framed drawing was exhibited at a show called Artists of The New Yorker in February of 2000 at Davis & Langdale Company, Inc., but that does not necessarily mean the drawing ever appeared in the magazine, only that the artist did. It was number 48 on the art gallery checklist (not here provided) but no caption is noted on the frame backing, only the title. It was later sold at Doyle New York on May 12, 2020, part of the collection of Patricia and Donald Oresman, for $343, and on eBay on October 25, 2021, not all that long after, for $240.
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| Charles Saxon's signature |
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| Charles Saxon eBay listing ended October 25, 2021 |
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| Charles Saxon eBay item description |
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| Charles Saxon Doyle New York Paintings & Drawings Online, May 12, 2020 |
Now Saxon had a five-page cartoon spread—just imagine such a thing today—called "Caribbean Cruise" in the New Yorker issue of January 23, 1960, but this drawing seems to be somewhat later. It is less inky than the 1960 drawings and relies more on Conté crayon for its atmospheric effect.
After almost five years of pondering this image and hoping to miraculously come across it in print with a humorous if understated caption, I've decided to let my readers have a go at it. Where then might this Charles Saxon drawing have been published and with what printed caption? There is no prize for a correct answer, but you are always free to treat yourself to a little celebratory cruise.
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