Julia Suits: Comparison

Buying original art from the artist who created it is one way to ensure that you're getting what you're paying for. New Yorker cartoonist Julia Suits sold the original art of her most popular cat cartoon on eBay in 2022. Matted and framed, it was initially offered, as I recall, for about $1,000 around January, but the price came down in the ensuing months to $800 and the accepted best offer in July was somewhere below that.

"Comparison is the thief of joy, Mittens."
Julia Suits
Framed and glazed original art
The New Yorker, July 27, 2020, p. 39

"Comparison is the thief of joy, Mittens."
Julia Suits
Original art
The New Yorker, July 27, 2020, p. 39

Julia Suits
eBay listing ended July 22, 2022

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193713756712hash=item2d1a3d5a28%3Ag%3ApxYAAOSwGY5fi3n2&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoMXBv3RSgdPsZFCydaDDbDyzBWZV%2BSHaj%2Bfwt7JXzRkZL3mKhpJFaveD97CYBbH9aeBE5YGo3IMIBBprz1OtYVwbU%2BwL8tfZYltVwCnqMD9h1xAz9%2BJsh%2FAmaQnYvRy

UxtynSBBQBObNC0GmfZXLqZlyFeTz3CIxV%2FgU%2BvlOimuoiW7qy7VOujtz5YHtQl9J73xsmMYjubiCK4amMrXFORg%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_qvg87nYA&nma=true&si=WEtIFz5%252FkfY9UxP8WWeB%252FCaqeVQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Julia Suits
eBay item description
"The cat with the little mouse looks sad."

"Comparison is the thief of joy, Mittens."
Julia Suits
Original art
The New Yorker, July 27, 2020, p. 39

A spot drawing by Anthony Russo and a cartoon by Julia Suits

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/2020-07-27/flipbook/38/

Spot drawing of a riot policeman with flag accosting an unarmed protester. This was the summer of the George Floyd protests.
Anthony Russo

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Patriotic Parade: Helen E. Hokinson Preliminary New Yorker Cover Art

Helen E. Hokinson's preliminary art for what was to become the New Yorker's 1930 Independence Day cover depicts a festive parade float proudly bedecked with American flags, each then bearing 48 stars. Three of Hokinson's stately matrons offer a patriotic tableau in which one of them stands prominently representing the Statue of Liberty and the others sit cross-legged beside her. The art is strikingly beautiful even as it asks us to wink knowingly at the showy display. Surely it possesses all the earmarks of a fine New Yorker cover. Is there any way this could be improved upon?

Helen E. Hokinson
Preliminary art
The New Yorker, July 1, 1933

http://www.askart.com/artist_related/Helen_Elna_Hokinson/65861/Helen_Elna_Hokinson.aspx

Helen E. Hokinson
The New Yorker, July 1, 1933

Under the tutelage of the magazine's editorial staff, the cover has undergone a significant transformation prior to publication, as so many New Yorker covers do. The colors have become muted and the seated figures now wear laurels and are classically posed. The float has been altered to one with the theme of Washington crossing the Delaware, providing the two allegorical ladies with proper seats. The American flag is markedly less prominent here, allowing the three female figures to move into the center of the composition. Most tellingly, Lady Liberty has tossed her head back, clearly reveling in her role. The overall change from the preliminary art is remarkable; Hokinson's ladies have come to life.

Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:

Helen E. Hokinson

Independence Day

Attempted Bloggery's Star-Spangled Index

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My Entries in the Moment Cartoon Caption Contest for May/June 2018

Let's run my entries in the Moment Cartoon Caption Contest for May/June 2018 up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes. The drawing is by Benjamin Schwartz.

"And YOU thought they would choose the dollar sign!"
"Word is Jared and Ivanka still have some pull."
"So do you still take off your cap for the national anthem?"
"So now it goes, 'Oy, say can you see...?'"
"Sheldon Adelson paid you HOW MUCH?"
"Why do you suppose it isn't trending?"
"Tell me what you dreamed and I'll tell you what it meant."
"Jew-S-A! Jew-S-A!"
"I know you're a proud American, Zeke. Is there something else you want to tell me?"

July 12, 2018 Update:  The Finalists

September 17, 2018 Update:  Winning Caption

Glossary of Jewish Humor:  Aliyah is the act of moving to the Land of Israel, or "going up."

You may vote for your favorite caption here. The deadline is August 20, 2018. While you're on the site, consider entering the current contest yourself. It rocks.

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Chiefs vs. Patriots Divisional Playoffs

Last week on Saturday the Kansas City Chiefs took on the New England Patriots for the first game of the playoffs. Your blogger was there.

Kansas City at New England

Tickets to AFC Playoff: Game 1

Train tickets to Gillette Stadium

If you ever wanted to know what the football field looks like from the topmost row in the stands, this is it. We're at the 50 yard line though, so it's an excellent vantage point.

Defensive tackle Alan Branch, #97, on the big screen warming up

Patriots portal

Got a Revolution!

Furled flag

The Star Spangled Banner

Chiefs vs. Patriots

Divisional Playoff Highlights

Note:  It's that time of year! Check out the link for more about football.

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A Flag by Jasper Johns

Jasper Johns, Flag

Price Realized
$28,642,500
Price includes buyer's premium

Estimate$10,000,000 - $15,000,000

Sale Information: Sale 2406 Works from the Collection of Michael Crichton 11 - 12 May 2010 New York, Rockefeller Plaza
Lot Description Jasper Johns (b. 1930) Flag signed 'Johns' (on the underside); signed again and dated 'J. Johns 1960-'66' (on the reverse) encaustic and printed paper collage on paper laid down on canvas 17½ x 26¾ in. (44.5 x 67.9 cm.) Painted in 1960-1966. Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner, 1973.

That word 'acquired' can mean so many different things.  Last year this signature Jasper Johns Flag from the collection of the late Michael Crichton sold for an astonishing price.  Back in 1973 when he obtained it, Crichton may already have been working on his book about Jasper Johns, and if so he had some personal contact with the artist on at least a journalistic basis.  It's also possible that Crichton might have sought the artist out based on an appreciation of his work and only later decided to write the book.  Crichton already had written his bestseller The Andromeda Strain,  so he presumably had some money by this time in his life.  It's not clear to me, then, whether Crichton acquired this painting by purchase or whether he received it as an outright gift, although I think this very unlikely for what must have been recognized as a very important work even back in 1973.  Perhaps he just got it at a good price, or persuaded the artist to part with it at its market value based on their friendship.  Whatever may have transpired, he obtained a fabulous and important work of pop art from a series that was soon to become nearly impossible to acquire.  Regardless of the cost, Crichton was, it seems, well-rewarded by Johns for his coming efforts on the artist's behalf.  Johns, meanwhile, has achieved an exceptionally high price for a work by a living artist.

Christie's in the Saleroom: 

Jasper Johns Flag Sells

for $28 Million

Video added April 24, 2012

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