Robert Day: What Would Cagney Do?

An original New Yorker drawing by cartoonist Robert Day (1900-1985) was presented by the artist to actor James Cagney (1899-1986), for whom it must have held special significance. It was given as a Christmas gift, probably in 1956, which was the year of the cartoon's publication. Day and his wife, "Rob & Buffie," were evidently on a first name basis with Cagney, whose surname alone back then would have identified him to much of the world. The artwork was sold by Doyle in 2000 at the Cagney Auction.

"I just asked myself what Cagney would have done if he were in my place, and here I am."
Robert Day
Original art
The New Yorker, December 8, 1956, p. 50

Robert Day
Doyle:  The Cagney Auction, september 27, 2000, lot 144

https://www.doyle.com/auction/lot/lot-144---robert-day-american-b-1900-i-just-asked/?lot=791977&so=4&st=Yorker&sto=0&au=&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=1&pp=96&pn=2&g=1

"I just asked myself what Cagney would have done if he were in my place, and here I am."
Robert Day
The New Yorker, December 8, 1956, p. 50

"I just asked myself what Cagney would have done if he were in my place, and here I am."
Robert Day
Original art
The New Yorker, December 8, 1956, p. 50

With a cartoon by Robert Day and a spot drawing by Arthur Getz

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1956-12-08/flipbook/050/

Mail call!

Arthur Getz
Spot drawing
The New Yorker, December 8, 1956, p. 51

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An Otto Soglow Alphabet

An important feature of the Dutch Treat Club yearbooks was the membership directory. In the Fortieth Anniversary of The Dutch Treat Club, the 1945 yearbook's directory has letter illustrations by the prolific Otto Soglow. Like the other illustrations in the yearbook, they are racy and irreverent, meant to be enjoyed by the group's members and definitely not intended for the general public. Not every letter of the alphabet is illustrated; only those for whom there are corresponding Dutch Treat Club members.

Otto Soglow, Members with letters A and B
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945
The listing begins with legendary theater impresario George Abbott

Otto Soglow, C
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945
Harrison Cady and James Cagney head the C listings.

Otto Soglow, D
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945
Including both Whitney Darrow and Whitney Darrow, Jr. 

Otto Soglow, E and F
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945
Clifton Fadiman has the dubious distinction of leading off the F's
Saturday Evening Post cover artist John Falter, who illustrated this year's
yearbook cover, is noted for his wartime service in the Naval Reserve.
 

Otto Soglow, G
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945
Frank Godwin and Rube Goldberg are among the G's. 

Otto Soglow, H
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945
John Gunther, author of the popular "Inside" books,
would publish Death Be Not Proud in 1949.

Otto Soglow, I and J
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club, 1945
Rea Irvin, illustrator of The New Yorker's first cover,
is listed as the first I.

Otto Soglow, K and L
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945
Publisher Alfred A. Knopf is in the mix.
Fritz Kreisler is listed as a composer rather than a violinist.

Otto Soglow, M
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945
 

Otto Soglow, N, O, P, and Q
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945
Ogden Nash has the indignity of being the first N.
Illustrator Russell Patterson is listed among the R's.

Otto Soglow, R and S
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945

Otto Soglow, V and W
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945

Otto Soglow, Z
Fortieth Anniversary of the Dutch Treat Club. New York: 1945

Note:  Collectors who have access to rarities of the Dutch Treat Club are encouraged to share them here. I would also appreciate scans or photographs of original cartoon art by Otto Soglow. Rare and obscure published work such as these letters are always welcome.


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Otto Soglow

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James Thurber: The Last Flower and the Death of Peace

Charles Addams wasn't the only New Yorker cartoonist to travel in rarefied social circles. In 1939, James Thurber presented a copy of his new book The Last Flower to actor James Cagney and his wife Bill. The book is inscribed to them and includes a sobering drawing of a Thurber dog mourning the death of peace. The tombstone bears the dates 1918-1939. Much of Thurber's preliminary pencil work remains visible. Hitler and Stalin had invaded Poland in September of 1939 and the inscription is dated December 2 of that year.

Inscribed "For Bill and Jimmy Cagney/with all best wishes/from Jim/December 2, 1939"
with a signed drawing of a dog at the gravesite of peace with a setting sun
in The Last Flower, 1939

James Thurber, The Last Flower, 1939

James Thurber
Swann Galleries, June 13, 2017, Sale 2451, Lot 160 Hammer Price

http://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/asp/fullcatalogue.asp?salelot=2451+++++160+&refno=++732142&image=0

Note:  Good news! Attempted Bloggery has reached one million page views thanks to my many dedicated readers!

There's room for many more books like this one on the blog. Readers with books by James Thurber (or other New Yorker cartoonists) dedicated to celebrities (or ordinary folks) with drawings (or without) can send scans or photos to me (or someone else).


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James Thurber

Dogs

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