Bill Steig's Star-Crossed Lover

This original ink drawing by William Steig was a gift of the artist to cartoonist Muriel Jacobs circa 1966. It shows a lone figure holding a flower while gazing upward at bright, dazzling stars. On the lower right, it is signed informally Bill Steig.

I do not know if this drawing was ever published. It comes from the estate of Muriel Jacobs and was sold on eBay back in 2008. Five interested parties bid the price up to $140.50, which seems slight for such a poetic drawing. The artwork now belongs to a private collector in New York.

William Steig, Inscribed "To Muriel [Jacobs]," Gifted c. 1966
Private Collection (Photo courtesy of David from Manhattan)

590

William Steig's Lawn Dance

A joyful drawing by William Steig and two hand-written letters from the artist to his friend Mary were recently sold together on eBay. These guys dancing on the lawn sure do seem to be having a good time, and I think the feeling may be contagious!

Steig's letters show him to be thinking about the children's books he is writing. He is pleased with his three grown children's progress in the working world, and notes a couple of his and his wife's ailments. He discusses the weather some and harbors an admittedly unscientific notion that the Chernobyl disaster somehow has resulted in increased global seismic activity.

William Steig, [Lawn Dance]

Letter from William Steig to Mary, November 13, 1980

Letter from William Steig to Mary, November 7, 1986, p.1

Letter from William Steig to Mary, November 7, 1986, p. 2

EBay Winning Bid

EBay Item Description

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item3cc655ae59&item=261025541721&nma=true&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&si=Zv4PhLp6HocGRC23iqci2JeQ2LI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_500wt_1413

March 23, 2013 Update: This drawing reportedly was used in a clothing ad published in The New Yorker sometime in the 1980's. I would appreciate hearing from anyone with more specific information.

Note:  Be sure not to miss my William Steig-inspired Valentine's Day blog post here.

0396