Ronald Searle: One-Armed Bandit

Ronald Searle's drawing of a gambler joylessly working a slot machine is from the pictorial "Las Vegas: Home on the Range." It appeared in Holiday magazine's issue of June 1960. The original 65-year-old art was sold four weeks ago at Heritage Auctions.

The online presale activity was enthusiastic, bringing the bid price up to $5,200 just thirteen hours before the sale. 

But the bidding went no further.

Ronald Searle
Heritage Auctions listing ended November 4, 2025

https://fineart.ha.com/itm/mainstream-illustration/ronald-william-fordham-searle-british-1920-2011-las-vegas-holiday-magazine-interior-june-1960-ink-on-board-20-x/a/8224-71070.s?ic10=ExpandedResults-ItemImageDesc-040215

Ronald Searle
Heritage Auctions item description

The drawing, as originally published in Holiday:

Ronald Searle
"Las Vegas:  Home on the Range"
Holiday, June, 1960, p. 89

https://ronaldsearle.blogspot.com/2020/05/gamblin-towns.html

It took up a full page in the oversize magazine:

The article is listed in the table of contents as starting on page 88:

Note:  For further reading and pictures, see Perpetua, the Ronald Searle Tribute blog created by Matt Jones—specifically the post called "Gamblin' Towns."

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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Signed by Ralph Steadman

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas:  A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream is the signature work from the collaboration of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson and illustrator Ralph Steadman. The work was published in 1971 by Rolling Stone in two installments and then in 1972 in book form. Steadman did not accompany Thompson on his travels this time, but the illustrations he conceived and executed in London somehow perfectly capture the caustic spirit of Thompson's prose.

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas:  A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream, 1972

Inscribed with a drawing of a face "For Stephen Parr from Ralph Steadman 2006"

Note:  "A Retrospective:  Ralph Steadman" is now showing at the Society of Illustrators.
It will be on view through October 22 and is well worth your time.

Do you have any original Ralph Steadman art to show off? Perhaps just a drawing in a book, like the one above? If only there were some blog that would take your scans or photos and present them to a worldwide audience of appreciative viewers. If only... but wait! There is!


Attempted Bloggery's quick links:

Ralph Steadman

Hunter S. Thompson

Rolling Stone

Signed Books with Drawings

Attempted Bloggery's savage index

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