Showing posts with label English Bull Terrier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English Bull Terrier. Show all posts

Sunday, June 28, 2026

George Booth at "Drawn From The New Yorker: A Centennial Celebration"

Cartoonist George Booth (June 28, 1926-November 1, 2022) was born one-hundred years ago today. He is best known for his work in The New Yorker, a magazine that was one year of age when he was born and that got to celebrate its own centennial last year. The Society of Illustrators held a major exhibition in honor of the magazine, "Drawn From The New Yorker: A Centennial Celebration" curated by cartoonist Liza Donnelly. Three original Booth works were included.

Booth's cover art for the issue of February 16, 1976, has a dog and a cat sitting on an area rug facing away from each other. They are surrounded by ornate interior patterns. The animals do not seem to be paying attention to each other exactly, but then they cannot be said to be unaware of each other's presence. 
 
George Booth
Original art
The New Yorker,
February 16, 1976


George Booth
The New Yorker, February 16, 1976




A cartoon from the issue of August 13, 1973, is part of a recurring Booth scenario: a man sits in his bathtub talking about whatever is on his mind while his wife does housework. The home is illuminated by a bare light bulb and filled with cats. 

The artwork reveals Booth's use of patches on both the man and the woman to get their faces just how he wanted them. There is a pencil notation at the lower right that indicates where the signature was moved photographically for publication.

"How about supper in the tub tonight, Hon?"
George Booth
Original art
The New Yorker,
August 13, 1973, p. 78

"How about supper in the tub tonight, Hon?"
George Booth
The New Yorker,
August 13, 1973, p. 78

With a drawing by George Booth




Finally, there was a cartoon about making music and making dinner:
"Last call for stuffed peppers or I feed 'em to the dog!"
George Booth
Original art
The New Yorker, September 27, 1976, p. 37
Pussycats Need Love, Too, Dodd, Mead & Co., 1980

"Last call for stuffed peppers or I feed 'em to the dog!"
George Booth
The New Yorker, September 27, 1976, p. 37
Pussycats Need Love, Too, Dodd, Mead & Co., 1980



With a spot by Jeanine[?] and a drawing by George Booth






Note:  It turns out the stuffed peppers drawing was the subject of a blog post here four years ago for George Booth's ninety-sixth birthday.


In case you were wondering, there's a lot more Booth on the blog here. 






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Thursday, June 15, 2023

George Booth: Five Postcards for Neiman Marcus

Five postcards by New Yorker cartoonist George Booth created in 1994 and 1995 promoted various sales at Neiman Marcus:  the trademarked First Call, the spring clearance, the summer sale, and the end of summer sale. Fortunately for us, one Northbrook, Illinois resident saved her postcards for reasons that should be obvious: the images are just delightful. Each of them have a Booth dog or two but there is also room for a rousing rooster and a musical cat. The postcards are currently listed on eBay.















Note:  I would love to post other George Booth promotions for Neiman Marcus right here on the old blog. Just send a few examples my way.




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Sunday, May 7, 2023

Lee Lorenz's Copy of Think Good Thoughts About a Pussycat by George Booth

Currently available from the Rare Book Cellar in Pomona and listed on AbeBooks is a signed presentation copy of George Booth's 1975 cartoon collection Think Good Thoughts About a Pussycat. The recipient is Lee Lorenz, Booth's fellow cartoonist at The New Yorker and, starting in 1973, his art editor at the magazine as well. Both cartoonists passed away late in 2022.



George Booth
AbeBooks listing accessed April 28, 2023


The bookseller seems to be unaware of the identity of Lee Lorenz to whom the book is inscribed. Even so, the asking price of $680.95 is not exactly a bargain. 



November 22, 2025 Update:  The price has come down by a mere $2 on AbeBooks, which is less than the shipping cost has gone up.


But this book is cross-listed on eBay for $150 more:





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Wednesday, October 20, 2021

George Booth: A Signed Omnibooth Promotion

Who could pass up an opportunity to enjoy some of George Booth's work? A print promotion for his collection Omnibooth (1984) signed by the cartoonist turned up on eBay where it was sold this summer for $45 despite some prominent sunning at one of the folds on the unsigned side. The eBay seller calls this item a poster, as one side can be displayed unfolded as a banner advertisement for the book. The other side, though, can best be appreciated at reading distance. The small print and the even folds indicate that this was meant to be a promotional brochure which could double as a wall display.



George Booth's signature




An encounter between a cat and an English bull terrier in four panels

"If you ask me, this thing is going to get a whole lot worse
before it gets better."

"You got here just in time, Mr. Lundquist. The boys are ready
to give your transmission the gang gong."

"I have a stuffed chair and a rag rug that are going out
in the spring sunshine today, Elsie!"


George Booth
eBay listing ended July 28, 2021

George Booth
eBay item description










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Sunday, October 3, 2021

George Booth: The Poor Cat in the Corner

If I have a flaw, and my wife will tell you I have many, it is a willingness to ignore issues of condition where artwork is concerned—and, no, that's not even one from her list. For me, the story of an art object is the story of the artist's encounter with it. How this particular piece, let's say a book with an original drawing, has been cared for and preserved in the time since that encounter is an important issue, but for me ultimately a secondary one to how it came into being in the first place.


But there are always exceptions, even for me. A copy of Rehearsal's Off! (1976) currently listed on eBay has an original George Booth drawing, quite lovely indeed, of a cat sitting in the corner as seen from behind. It is a classic Booth feline and is listed at $175. I might almost spring for it, except for one problem:




There is significant damage to the book. There is an obtrusive stain that runs vertically right through the drawn image. Alas!



In the understated words of the eBay seller, "Some pages in the beginning have stain. Dust-jacket left a mark on first page. Otherwise good." 

I offered the seller $40, probably as high as I'm willing to go for the book in this "otherwise good" condition. The seller refused, then privately offered me the book at $150. Nothing doing.


It's a real shame, but despite the beautiful drawing, I don't think the book is worth my pursuing any further in this condition. The listing remains active on eBay for anyone who feels otherwise.












George Booth
eBay listing accessed January 19, 2021

"Otherwise good."
George Booth

eBay item description


February 4, 2022 Update:  Sold (for an undisclosed best offer)!




Note:  Original drawings by George Booth are actively sought here for use in future blog posts.



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