Wraparound Peter Arno: Beggars Abroad by Jim Tully

Jim Tully (June 3, 1886 – June 22, 1947) was a vagabond, pugilist, and American writer. He enjoyed critical and commercial success as a writer in the 1920s and 1930s.

—Wikipedia

Peter Arno's cover art for Jim Tully's Beggars Abroad (1930) captures the writer's trademark bushy hair. The caricature also introduces a cocky asymmetry to the author's portrait that doesn't seem to be present in period photographs. The crenellated castle walls with which Arno represents Europe continue along the dust jacket from the front cover onto the spine of the book. Babylon Revisited Rare Books was good enough to scan the full wraparound Arno image.

Beggars Abroad
AbeBooks listing accessed March 13, 2022

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=13304976151&searchurl=kn%3DPeter%2BArno%26sortby%3D1&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp9-_-image25

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Edward Koren: Phishing for Phools

Phishing for Phools:  The Economics of Manipulation & Deception by George A. Akerlof and Robert J. Shiller has a beautiful cover illustration by Edward Koren. All those who believe in judging a book by its cover should agree that this looks like a good one.

Edward Koren, Phishing for Phools:  The Economics of Manipulation & Deception by George A. Akerlof and Robert J. Hiller, Princeton University Press. Advertisement in The New Yorker, November 9, 2015, iPad Edition.

Note:  Here's an example of manipulation without deception: simply click on the aqua link to read more about the wonderful art of Edward Koren. 

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Arthur Rackham: The Ingoldsby Legends

The Ingoldsby Legends is obscure now but was popular in the 19th century. Thomas Ingoldsby was the pen name of the Reverend Rchard Harris Barham. Arthur Rackham's 1898 illustration for the spine of the book features a crescent moon, a witch flying on her broomstick, and some bats which must appear on the lower back cover. The original artwork is offered by Chris Beetles of London.

http://www.chrisbeetles.com/gallery/fairy-fantasy/ingoldsby-legends-witch-flight.html

http://poulwebb.blogspot.com/2013/07/arthur-rackham-part-1.html

Note:  Previous posts here on Attempted Bloggery about Arthur Rackham contain some of the most gorgeous illustration artwork I have found. Don't just take my word for it. See for yourself here.

I also have more ghoulish Halloween posts here.

The Boston Red Sox have won the World Series. All my classic baseball posts are here.

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Edward Gorey's Penny Candy

Bonhams will be offering two fine Edward Gorey original illustrations from Edward Fenton's Penny Candy in its December 15 sale.


Sale 19427 - Fine Books and Manuscripts, 15 Dec 2011 
New York 

Lot No: 5083 GOREY, EDWARD. 1925-2000. 1. "Paul was staring steadily at the Widow Shinn," 132 x 113 mm.  2. "Like swallows they scudded through the gritty air of Wishbone Street," 45 x 114 mm. Both pen and ink, illustrations for Edward P. Fenton, Penny Candy (New York: Holt, 1970, pp 45 and 47), matted and framed together. Estimate: US$7,000 - 10,000

   December 15, 2011:   Unsold

http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/19427/lot/5083/

Lot No: 5083

GOREY, EDWARD. 1925-2000.

1. "Paul was staring steadily at the Widow Shinn," 132 x 113 mm. 

2. "Like swallows they scudded through the gritty air of Wishbone Street," 45 x 114 mm.

Both pen and ink, illustrations for Edward P. Fenton, Penny Candy (New York: Holt, 1970, pp 45 and 47), matted and framed together.

Estimate: US$7,000 - 10,000 

In June, Bonhams offered preliminary cover artwork for this book. Alas, it did not find a buyer.

Sale 19514 - 20th Century Illustration Art, 22 Jun 2011 

New York 

Lot No: 139

Edward Gorey (American, 1929-2000)

"Penny Candy," color sketch for the jacket design for Edward Fenton's Penny Candy (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1970).

Pen and ink and watercolor.
20.5 x 18.5cm (8 1/16 x 7 5/16in).
Matted and framed.

Estimate: US$6,000 - 8,000 
Unsold

Footnote:
This children's story derives from the familiar English nursery rhyme "Tinker Tailor," that is also a counting game and a fortune telling song.

http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/19514/lot/139/

The published cover for Penny Candy by Edward Fenton

http://brickbatbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/featured-four-by-edward-gorey.html

The following was offered for sale at Goreybooks.com.  It appears to have been sold:

PAUL'S TOY EMPORIUM (1970) from Penny Candy by Edward Fenton (1970) New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston 

Original pen and ink illustration

Image 5.25 x 4.5 inches, paper 11.5 x 7.25 inches

$5,500.oo 

http://www.goreyography.com/west/backroom/br04.htm

January 24, 2013 Update:  The preliminary cover artwork for Penny Candy was sold today at Swann Galleries in New York. It had a presale estimate of $4,000 to $6,000, considerably less than the 2011 Bonhams estimate. The hammer price was $3,400.

Edward Gorey, Penny Candy Preliminary Cover Art

Swann Galleries, January 24, 2013

http://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=2300+++++169+&refno=++670913&saletype=

Edward Gorey, Penny Candy Preliminary Cover Art

Swann Galleries, January 24, 2013

http://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=2300+++++169+&refno=++670913&saletype=

  

Note:  We last paid our respects to Mr. Gorey in our A Clutch of Vampires post here.

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Book Review: Catching Fire (2009) by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire (2009)

Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire is the second book in Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games Trilogy. It's still pretty good, but it just isn't the page-turner that The Hunger Games is. Part of the problem is familiarity. We've already witnessed Katniss's confusion over her feelings for the two young men in her life, Gale and Peeta. Whatever seeming resolution there may have been at the end of the first book, we're back to square one now. Yes, here we go again...

Also, we already understand the structure of the Hunger Games, so when the 75th annual event rolls around, we think we know what to expect. Actually, we don't. First off, it's a Quarter Quell, which happens only once every 25 years and in this instance involves a severe alteration in the rules for the tribute pool at the reaping. There's a world of difference in these Hunger Games, with everything meant to be more chilling this time around. But how can the Hunger Games possibly be more chilling than the orgy of child killing we've already seen? As the twelve districts break out in scattered uprisings, the Capitol makes sure the games become even more cruel. This requires Collins to keep topping herself. She acquits herself admirably, but eventually you get the sense that no matter how hopeless it gets, the book's main characters are not about to die en masse. Things are meant to look awfully bleak here, but I sense there is definitely still some hope for Katniss to survive the climactic third book without losing too many of her loved ones.


Note:  If you missed it, my brief book review of The Hunger Games is here.

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Book Review: The Hunger Games (2008) by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games (2008)

Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games is the first book of Suzanne Collins's dark trilogy. I was glad, when I started, to note this series was already complete because I hoped to get through the next two books fairly quickly, lucky me. For a young adult novel, there is a surprising underlying brutality to this story about mere children forced to compete in a battle to the death in which there are 24 contestants called tributes and only one winner. The idea, which can almost seem plausible, is the scheme of the North American postapocalyptic government of Panem in its tyrannical attempt to keep the twelve formerly rebellious Districts subjugated and in their place. Oh, my!

The theme is a disturbing one about an institution that calls itself a game yet embodies profound evil. The pacing is handled very well and the book is often difficult to put down. There is frequently a keen sense of dread here; the game, and hence the plot, is constructed to force an expanding pool of dead children, and while this isn't nearly as awful as it might sound, there are bound to be at least a few devastating moments along the way.

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A Clutch of Vampires Cover by Edward Gorey

This original pen and ink drawing by Edward Gorey was intended as a book cover illustration for Raymond T. McNally's anthology A Clutch of Vampires. It was used instead as an interior illustration. The artwork features five gracefully floating vampires and Gorey's masterly hatching technique.

EDWARD GOREY (American 1925 - 2000)

A Clutch of Vampires, circa 1973

Ink on paper

8.25 x 5.25 in.

Not signed

Sold for:	$5,676.25 (includes BP ) Bid Source: Live: eBay
Auction Ended On:	Oct 15, 2008
Item Activity:	1 Internet/mail/phone bidders 980 page views

This piece, published as an illustration on page 178 of the anthology, A Clutch of Vampires: These Being Among the Best from History and Literature, by Raymond T. McNally, was originally intended for use on the cover. The piece was published in 1974 by the New York Graphic Society. From the Frank Collection.

Gorey, Edward St. John:. American illustrator and author, 1925-2000

Condition Report*:

This piece has been framed to an overall size of 16" x 13", and the art is in Excellent condition.

The auction:  http://fineart.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=7001&lotNo=89048#Photo

The inspiring Goreyana blog: http://goreyana.blogspot.com/

My earlier post on New York is Book Country poster art includes a Gorey poster: http://attemptedbloggery.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-york-is-book-country-poster-art.html  

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Ronald Searle's Cover Art for What am I Still Doing Here?

Just published on October 13 is Roger Lewis's new book What Am I Still Doing Here?: My Years as Me. The cover art is, of course, by Ronald Searle, who, at 91, probably has more insight into the question than even Lewis.

Ronald Searle, Book Cover for What Am I Still Doing Here?:  My years as Me by Roger Lewis

The hardcover edition is published at £11.40. According to Amazon.co.uk, the paperback edition is due out on May 10, 2012 and will cost £5.99 which is actually cheaper than the virtual Kindle edition at £6.99.

Note:  You can view a lot more examples of Searle book cover art here on Matt Jones's epic Perpetua blog. 

Or, if you prefer dealing with amateurs, my most recent post on Ronald Searle's artwork is here.

October 30, 2011 Update:  Matt Jones provides a link to the framed full original artwork and preliminary sketch here.

Ronald Searle, Original Book Cover Artwork for What Am I Still Doing Here? by Roger Lewis

Ronald Searle, Detail of Signature on Original Book Cover Artwork for What Am I Still Doing Here? by Roger Lewis

Image added December 2, 2012

Ronald Searle, Preliminary Artwork for What Am I Still Doing Here?

Ronald Searle, Detail of Preliminary Artwork for What Am I Still Doing Here?

Image added December 1, 2012

November 24, 2011 Update: Today's Daily Mail reveals that Ronald Searle is currently reading Roger Lewis's book, which he did not get to see a word of when designing its cover. Searle also reveals what book  he would take to a desert island (William Hogarth: A Life and a World by Jenny Uglow) which it took him over a year to read the first time around. Searle is one of the few illustrators anywhere who can legitimately be considered an heir to the likes of Hogarth, Rowlandson, and Cruikshank. 

He also mentions the chilling effect of reading Deborah Lipstadt's The Eichmann Trial.  The trial, of course, was held in Jerusalem in 1961, and at the time Searle himself covered the proceedings brilliantly for Life magazine. (His original artwork from the trial now resides in the Wilhelm Busch Museum in Hanover.) I like the fact that Searle, now 91, who typically draws for ten hours a day, remains an avid reader. Read the article here and see the new photo of the artist.

November 27, 2011 Update: Here's a very similar drawing by Searle for an unrelated assignment:

Ronald Searle, Is Your Overdraft Crying Out for Help?

Dimensions: 15 x 12 in

Medium: pencil, pen and black ink and black wash

Signed

Christie's South Kensington, Sale 5997, Lot 530, December 7, 2010.

Presumably unsold.

http://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Is-your-overdraft-crying-out-for-help-/AAF0110C49C9BBCE

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