Gahan Wilson: At the Barber's

An original Playboy cartoon by the irrepressible Gahan Wilson was sold two weeks ago in East Moriches. The setting is a barber shop.

"The usual, sir?"
"Yes, please."
Gahan Wilson
Original art
Playboy, December 1982

Gahan Wilson's signature

With overlay

Gahan Wilson
South Bay Auctions, Inc., listing of June 18, 2025

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/Gahan-Wilson-American-1930-2019-,-Playboy-Magazi-116-c-6584FCFB46?utm_term=cartoon&utm_source=alerts&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=keywordalerts&utm_content=group-noapp&utm_term=347083

The drawing appears on page 472 of Gahan Wilson: Fifty Years of Playboy Cartoons (2009) which helpfully dates it to the December 1982 issue:

https://archive.org/details/Gahan_Wilson_50_Years_of_Playboy_Cartoons/page/n453/mode/2up

The cartoon can be licensed through CartoonStock. The letters PB stand for Playboy:

https://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoon?searchID=PB400439

04989

My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #702

Just in time for the closing of all the hair salons and barber shops in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I humbly present my entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #702 for March 23, 2020. The drawing is by Drew Panckeri.

"Don't take anything off the top."

These captions were a cut or two below the rest:

"Do you clip wings?"
"How did you know I live alone."
"Are you experiencing any symptoms of bird flu?"
"Relax. I just want a shave."
"Can your sink double as a bird bath?"

March 30, 2020 Update:  The Finalists

April 6, 2020 Update:  I voted with LA.



April 13, 2020 Update:  The Winner

Note:  In last week's Caption Contest, cartoonist Mort Gerberg took us to a restaurant where a mouse was ordering from the menu. I just couldn't "eek" out a good caption. (Ouch!) Still, if you would just help me climb down off the chair, then we can both take a deep breath and enjoy Contest #701. 

Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives

Drew Panckeri

Barbers

The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest

The Moment Magazine Cartoon Caption Contest

The Cartoon Collections Caption Contest

All the Above Cartoon Caption Contests and Even Something More

Attempted Bloggery's Well-Groomed Index

03206

Barbara Shermund: Santa Pampered

In the January 1941 issue of Esquire, cartoonist Barbara Shermund reminds us that it's that time of year when everyone is eager to get on Santa Claus's good side.

Barbara Shermund
Esquire, January 1939, page 72

https://classic.esquire.com/issue/19390101/print

The composition is very busy, but it basically is arranged along the simple diagonal established by Santa's reclining body. The color scheme is dominated by red and white, as determined by Santa's well-known outfit. His excessively ruddy complexion seems intended to make his contented face the focal point of the drawing. Three pairs of hands are drawn with great expressivity and delicacy. The exception is the comparatively crude pair of hands of the shoeshine boy. He is presented as a racial stereotype of the sort commonly portrayed in various media of the period.

Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:

Barbara Shermund

Esquire

Christmas

Attempted Bloggery's Well-Cared-For Index

  
02768