Whitney Darrow, Jr.: Seeds of Future Delight

Few if any cartoonists were more skilled than Whitney Darrow, Jr. at creating original souvenir drawings in books. He could add color and even verse seemingly with little effort. Here are four such personalized books from the library of Pat Read, Darrow's editor at Random House. The set is currently available on AbeBooks and it can be yours for $4,800, give or take a few nickels.

Set of four cartoon collections by Whitney Darrow, Jr.

Whitney Darrow, Jr.

"You're Sitting on my Eyelashes" (1943) inscribed with two limericks and an original drawing of an African mother and three children with a sign reading "From Whitney, September 26 - '43."
The first stanza:
"I'm giving this book to the Reads
With hopes that the pictures are seeds
Of future delight
Far into the night--
(Which is all that anyone needs)."

Ex-collection Pat Read

Whitney Darrow, Jr.

"Please Pass the Hostess" (1949) with a drawing inscribed "For Pat, Clif and Sheila with Love from Whitney 9/21/49"

Ex-collection Pat Read

Whitney Darrow, Jr.

"Stop, Miss!" (1957) with a watercolor drawing inscribed "Merry Christmas to Pat from Whitney"

Ex-collection Pat Read

Whitney Darrow, Jr.

Give Up? (1966) with a drawing of a woman with a hatpin inscribed "To Pat with Love from Whitney 11/8/66"

Ex-collection Pat Read

AbeBooks Listing

abebooks.com

Note:  Blog posts about Whitney Darrow, Jr. are a dime a dozen around here. Actually, they're free. Go read as many as you like.

Do you know what Martha Stewart should say about any signed book with an original drawing? She should say it's a good thing.

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A Piano Recital with Whitney Darrow, Jr.

No matter how many piano recitals you've sat through, it's a safe bet you've never attended one quite like this. Whitney Darrow, Jr. dedicates an original drawing in his 1943 collection "You're Sitting on my Eyelashes" to a couple of lucky recipients, Button and Dave. He signed only his first name, so he must have known them pretty well.

Whitney Darrow, Jr. "You're Sitting on my Eyelashes" (1943) inscribed "Best regards to Button + Dave from Whitney"

Ex-collection the Mary Faulconer Estate
Scan courtesy of David from Manhattan

The book was owned by artist Mary Faulconer (1911-2011) and was sold on eBay in 2012.

EBay Listing Ended July 9, 2012

Worthpoint Record of eBay Auction Listing

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/whitney-darrow-jr-yorker-cartoonist-20095519

Detail

Note:  If you'd like to know more about Clarence Darrow I can't help you but for Whitney Darrow, Jr. there's plenty just a click away.

I happen to love looking at signed books with original drawings even when they don't have a naked woman reclining on a chandelier. And so does Chris Wheeler, who has collected some wonderful examples on his website. Today is your lucky day, my friend.

How many book drawings did Whitney Darrow create? Does your personal library contain never-before-seen drawings by Darrow or by other New Yorker cartoonists that are crying out to be shared? I am at your service.

My thanks to David from Manhattan for providing this scan, and for all the other images and insights he has passed along.

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The City Kids of Whitney Darrow, Jr.

Whitney Darrow, Jr.  One of my all-time favorites. Perhaps the best ever at drawing original cartoons in his books as gifts for the recipients.

--Christpher Wheeler

Perhaps indeed. One book recipient, Faith B. Cross, was born in 1923 and reared in Manhattan. She would have been around 20 when Whitney Darrow, Jr. published "You're Sitting on my Eyelashes" in 1943. A copy of the book is dedicated to her with an original color drawing. The drawing shows a girl, a boy, and a dog on the streets of the city. All three appear to be quite happy with their world. Today the recipient is known as Faith Cross Sweeney of Venice, FL and Lake Barrington, IL. Her former copy of the book is now in the collection of cartoonist Ken Krimstein.

Whitney Darrow, Jr.

"You're Sitting on my Eyelashes" (1943)

Inscribed "Best regards to Faith B. Cross from Whitney Darrow, jr."

Photo courtesy of Ken Krimstein

Note:  There is a lot more to be said about Whitney Darrow, Jr. and I for one am not afraid to say it.

Is Christopher Wheeler correct?  Was Darrow the best practitioner of creating original cartoons in his books? Certainly he used color more than Addams, Booth, and Koren, among other masters of the book illuminator's art. Before we jump to any conclusions, though, let's check out this blog's archive of signed books with original drawings. And for good measure save some time for Chris Wheeler's site too. Then you can report your scholarly findings in the comments section. Who might your favorite be?

Does your personal library have hidden treasures by New Yorker artists that deserve to be shared with the world? You know I'd be happy to be of assistance.

Thanks to Ken Krimstein for his kind permission to use this image.

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