Sidney Harris: The Secret Ingredient

An original Playboy cartoon by Sidney Harris came up for sale at Heritage on August 8.

". . . But our secret ingredient is large quantities of Hilberg Beer."
Sidney Harris
Original art
Playboy, May 1976

". . . But our secret ingredient is large quantities of Hilberg Beer."
Sidney Harris
Original art
Playboy, May 1976

Illustration board

Bidding was at only $1 when I first came upon the auction on July 13. The estimate was $700 to $1,000. It was to prove accurate.

Sidney Harris
Heritage Auctions listing accessed July 13, 2024

https://fineart.ha.com/itm/mainstream-illustration/sidney-harris-american-b-1933-but-our-secret-ingredient-playboy-interior-may-1976ink-and-w/a/8174-71227.s?ic16=ViewItem-Auction-Open-JumpLot-PreviousLot-050318

Sidney Harris
Heritage Auctions item description

Sold!

The Playboy gag cartoon is listed on CartoonStock, but its publishing history is not acknowledged there.

https://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoon?searchID=CS109668

04718

Maurice Sendak: Studies for R. O. Blechman's Beer Man

Maurice Sendak's sheet of concept sketches depict a German beer man creating and enjoying his product. These drawings of the estimable brewer were done in 1997 for a proposed commercial R. O. Blechman was to animate for a Japanese advertising agency. The beer man concept was rejected by the agency, and twenty years later the artwork failed to find a buyer at auction. Cheers anyway!

Maurice Sendak
Bonhams New York

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24252/lot/172/

03727

Saul Steinberg: Second Class (Packaged)

The art market continues to validate the unique status of Saul Steinberg. His still life Second Class (Packaged) from 1980 was offered without reserve in an online auction that opened on February 4, 2020. The rather anemic estimate of $2,000 to $3,000 for this colored pencil drawing on paper seemed calculated to generate hopeful bidder interest, and that it did. By the time the auction closed, though, the price realized was a robust $16,250.

Saul Steinberg
Second Class (Packaged), 1980

Saul Steinberg
Christie's Interiors NY
Online February 4-13, 2020

https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/interiors-ny/saul-steinberg-american-1914-1999-150/80557

Saul Steinberg
Second Class (Packaged), 1980

Three separate labels on the back of the original art give the title as Fourth Class (Art Materials) from 1980. The drawing's online sale history would seem to confirm this title. In fact, Christie's originally listed the still life with this title from the labels, then changed it to Second Class (Packaged). What happened?

The concept of Steinberg's four "classes" of still life was enumerated by Sarah Cowan in 2014, reviewing "Saul Steinberg: 100th Anniversary Exhibition" at the Pace Gallery. A Steinberg pencil drawing from 1980-81 including all four of these classes confirms that the Christie's Steinberg represents the second and not the fourth class of still life. The supposition, then, is that Steinberg's Second Class (Packaged) left Pace Gallery some forty years ago with the wrong label or, less plausibly, that a buyer bought more than one and the labels were switched at the framers.

https://hyperallergic.com/155375/saul-steinberg-decodes-the-symbols-of-society/

Saul Steinberg
Still Life (1980–81)
Graphite on folded paper, 14 ½″ x 23″

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Saul Steinberg

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Richard Decker Advertising Art for Rheingold

New Yorker cartoonist Richard Decker created two ink and wash drawings for Young & Rubicam's Rheingold beer account. The first is set in a grocery store and is titled Dealer & Girl while the second is called Fortune Teller. The verso contains the Y&R stamp with address but no postal zone (introduced in 1943) or zip code (introduced in 1963). On the basis of this, the owner conjectures these may date to the late 1930s or 1940s. Neither drawing bears a caption or advertising copy. Publication information is unknown.

The grocery store has some stacked cans that may or may not be beer cans, but nothing that is specifically Rheingold. The window advertises 15 cent beer. If the woman—I mean girl—is supposed to be carrying a transistor radio in her handbag, this could date the drawing to 1954 or later. To me, the drawing seems to have a breezy 1950s feel to it. In contrast, it's hard to place the Fortune Teller drawing at a specific time, but the man behind the chair wears the same grocer's apron over his suit and has the same pencil behind his ear. These ads likely appeared in the trade press to persuade grocers to stock more Rheingold beer.

Richard Decker
Dealer and Girl
Original advertising art for Rheingold
Young & Rubicam

Courtesy the Jerome Wrinkle Collection

Richard Decker
Fortune Teller
Original advertising art for Rheingold
Young & Rubicam

Courtesy the Jerome Wrinkle Collection

Emile Waldteufel
Estudiantina Waltz, Op. 191, No. 4, 1883
After a melody by Paul Lacome, 1881

My Beer is Rheingold, the Dry Beer, 1956

Note:  But where and when were they published, specifically? If you know, step to the front of the line and a 15-cent beer's on the house.

Let's see some more art by Richard Decker! Attempted Bloggery would love to publish your scans or photographs.

My thanks to Jerome Wrinkle for sharing this original advertising art from his collection.

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Richard Decker

Jerome Wrinkle

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Beer

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Attempted Bloggery Supports Net Neutrality

02461

My Entry in the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #573

It's already visiting hours for my entry in the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #573 dated June 19, 2017. The drawing is by P. C. Vey.

"The doctor wants me to have a six-pack!"

The following captions are classified as medical waste:

"I talked the doctor into an extra month."
"Best of all, it's a covered benefit."
"What's wrong with Trump Care?"
"Guess what? I can stay as long as I like!"
"Hey! Let's watch the game."

June 26, 2017 Update:  The Finalists

July 3, 2017 Update:  I voted for the third caption.


July 17, 2017 Update:  Winning Caption

Note:  Last week, cartoonist Michael Maslin gave us a gigantic beach ball. My caption quickly deflated. Everybody in the pool for Contest #572!

Over the years, I have entered quite a few of P. C. Vey's Caption Contests. Unfortunately, all of my captions wound up on life support.

What's so funny about doctors anyway?

02218

Touring the Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse tour celebrates the history of the classic brew. An exhibition demonstrates the ingredients that go into Guinness. Classic factory equipment is on display. There is a also a survey of old promotions and a tutorial on tasting. The tour concludes with—what else?—a complimentary pint.

Brewing on the horizon

This way to the Guinness Storehouse

While the public is directed to the Guinness Storehouse, the rest of the plant remains active.

Guinness, St. James's Gate Brewery, Dublin

Water is a key ingredient. You knew that.

Old equipment, spotlit

Guinness tasting

All aboard!

Old technology

New technology

Guinness Fish

Scale model of the Guinness Festival Clock

The reward. I have got to learn to take the picture before I start drinking.

The toucans make a special delivery.

Note:  My only mistake? Two beers on no sleep. My plan for the rest of the trip? A Guinness a day!

Attempted Bloggery's quick links:

Jack Davis (1924-2016)

Ireland

Hillary Clinton

Donald Trump

Attempted Bloggery, like Guinness, is good for you. Just take a look at the blog index!

01931

Lunch at the Brazen Head

Founded in 1198, the Brazen Head is Ireland's oldest pub, and it's where I had my first meal after arriving in the country. I also had my first beer of the trip there, perhaps not the brightest idea after a sleepless night of transatlantic travel.

The Brazen Head, Ireland's oldest pub, founded in 1198

A pint of Kilkenny, a remarkably smooth brew

Grilled fillet of salmon showing the colors of the Irish flag

Wherever I go, something reminds me of home.

Display barrel

Note:  That Kilkenny's was not my final beer of the day. Check tomorrow's post to see what I drank next. I bet you can guess already.

Attempted Bloggery's quick links:

Jack Davis (1924-2016)

Ireland

Hillary Clinton

Donald Trump

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