Another Signed Copy of They Moved My Bowl by Charles Barsotti

I think we can all agree that any book collecting New Yorker cartoonist Charles Barsotti's dog cartoons is a cause for celebration. The Moved My Bowl, published in 2007, fits the bill. A signed copy was recently offered on eBay, now the second to appear on this blog.

Barsotti boldly signed the book in blue marker on the front free endpaper. It is perhaps not the most perfect signature, the bottom of the last two letters having shifted upwards a bit.

Like the cover cartoon, a number of the drawings take place on psychotherapist's couches. 

Barsotti's line is simple, but his humor can be deeply moving, as with the cartoon set in heaven.

As the title page says, the foreword is by Barsotti's fellow New Yorker cartoonist George Booth, who brings a drawing of a cat along to the festivities. Reproduced after that is a 1990 letter from Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, a.k.a. Sparky, which may or may not have set this whole project in motion.

The signature bled through the page a bit.

In 2013, I posted a similar copy of this book after it sold on eBay for $15. This time the asking price was $25—but there was a best offer option.

Charles Barsotti
eBay listing ended January 2, 2026

https://www.ebay.com/itm/277601698683

Charles Barsotti
eBay item description

The eBay seller raised the price from $17.99 to $25.00, then accepted a best offer for $17.50.

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They Moved My Bowl Signed by Charles Barsotti

I love signed books, but I usually don't go out of my way seeking them out. An author's signature is great, of course, but if there is any question of authenticity it's hardly worth the effort. If a book is signed in my presence that's wonderful; at least I know it's the real thing. It's also very nice when a copy of a book comes along with both a convincing signature and a reasonable price.

Take this copy of They Moved My Bowl by the very funny Charles Barsotti. There's really no reason to doubt the signature. It's extremely plausible and the price is extremely fair. This was a good deal for someone.

Charles Barsotti, They Moved My Bowl, Front Cover

Charles Barsotti's Signature

Charles Barsotti, They Moved My Bowl, Two Cartoons

Charles Barsotti, They Moved My Bowl, eBay Listing Ended May 17, 2013

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dog-Cartoons-by-the-New-Yorker-artist-Charles-Barsotti-Signed-1st-Edition-/200925014869?pt=Antiquarian_Collectible&hash=item2ec8106b55&nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Meanwhile, an unsigned copy from OwlsBooks of Toledo is described as having "A little bit of wear" with the further proviso that it "May contain some library markings." It is listed at $500. Caveat emptor.

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=10630884895&searchurl=kn%3DThey%2BMoved%2BMy%2BBowl%26amp%3Bsortby%3D1%26amp%3Bx%3D-1126%26amp%3By%3D-95

October 6, 2012 Update: OwlsBooks of Toledo, Ohio has reduced the price of They Moved My Bowl from $500 to $1. I kid you not.

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=10630884895&searchurl=kn%3DThey%2BMoved%2BMy%2BBowl%26amp%3Bsortby%3D1%26amp%3Bx%3D-1126%26amp%3By%3D-95

March 17, 2014 Update:
The $1 copy of this book has been sold.

Note:  I have more about Charles Barsotti on this blog here and here.

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