Three Cartoons by Al Ross: A Lunch Counter, a Library, and a Hammock

Three examples of original cartoon art by Al Ross came up for auction at Heritage on February 18. The cartoon settings are a full lunch counter, a full library, and a full hammock.

The opening bid of $1 had been placed by February 16 when I first visited the sale. Perhaps there might have been more activity if Heritage had not confused the New Yorker cartoonist with illustrator Al Rossi. Or perhaps not.

Al Ross
Heritage Auctions listing accessed February 16, 2028, one or two days before the sale

The works sold at a good price—for the internet buyer:

Al Ross
Heritage Auctions result of February 18, 2026

https://comics.ha.com/itm/original-illustration-art/pulp-pulp-like-digests-and-paperback-art/al-rossi-magazine-single-panel-gag-cartoon-illustration-original-art-group-of-3-c-1980s-total-3-original-art-/a/322607-48302.s?ic2=mybidspage-lotlinks-12202013&tab=MyBids-101116#

Al Ross
Heritage Auctions item description

The lunch counter drawing is the earliest of this trio. It was published in 1000 Jokes in May of 1954, if the notation is accurate. Today, it goes without saying, this type of gag would be shunned for its body shaming. Nevertheless, Ross has given his older women expressions which are priceless.

"Right here, Eddie, they won't dare have any dessert!"
Al Ross
1000 Jokes, May 1954 [?]

The hammock drawing was published in 1988 in The New Yorker—except for a small segment on the extreme left.

Al Ross
The New Yorker, June 27, 1988, p. 70

Al Ross
Original art
The New Yorker, June 27, 1988, p. 70

With a cartoon by Al Ross

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1988-06-27/flipbook/070/

Finally, the library drawing was published, I am told, in Books, Books, Books: A Hilarious Collection of Literary Cartoons. The 1988 collection was edited by Sam Gross and Jim Charlton.

"You know who's beginning to annoy me? Homer!"
Al Ross
Original book art
Books, Books, Books: A Hilarious Collection of Literary Cartoons, edited by S. Gross and Jim Charlton, Harper & Row, 1988

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My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #970

In The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #970 from the issue of December 1, 2025, the setting is a library (or maybe a bookstore). A librarian with a cart is talking to a woman in the Psychology section while they look at the Grim Reaper browsing nearby in the Self-Help section. The librarian speaks. My entry appears below. The drawing is by Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell.

"I'll start wheezing and lead him to the travel section."

These captions needed to be shelved:

"Why shouldn't he want to work more efficiently?"
"He'll never find anything to replace chess."
"I wouldn't mind some new life goals."
"He should be working on his people skills."

December 20, 2025 Update:  The Finalists

December 22, 2025 Update:  I voted for the caption from Burlington.

January 10, 2026 Update:  The Winner

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Mischa Richter: Not Spoiled

Four original 1950s comic panels from the syndicated strip Strictly Richter were sold on eBay early in December. Of course, they are the work of Mischa Richter, today best remembered for his New Yorker cartoons. The panels convey the artist's range and versatility.

"I told him that I'm not really spoiled, I just want my own way!"
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, October 22, 1958

"He put me on everything he took you off of, dear.""
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, January 6, 1955

"What flavor?"
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, November 14, 1955

"Take a good look. This will probably never happen again.""
Mischa Richter
Original comic panel art
Strictly Richter, September 10, 1956

Mischa Richter
eBay listing ended December 6, 2023

https://www.ebay.com/itm/355163873807?itmmeta=01HQMB2Z4KBZZ7S3JM0S085BP1&hash=item52b16aa20f:g:PA4AAOSw9aNlRkN9&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwG5JA6AQPo6SL09f4QLWjWU42ShtnDAU5WPA2I932nn5RJG%2F7en76tcDuGgLNcWp0EG6nmi0Tn8I1qbLT9%2FsufqfbotoHR7

PAeafaBAOzzYHK6jPkxxBFUvkKTY8SqFo7%2FEOkgR9qMUVCLr7kaW%2FwKc%2F2rmdKOXgrOL2mJd6EDfCDNLzHGZCcgAtUjK%2FClaM45JmoDDkUDkdVTYpnnmxsYHuPR%2BXI5Saq64m1XIscHl2j6qqZhlz0XFyDhaYcrFcHw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6zyi4u9Yw

Mischa Richter
eBay item description

Mischa Richter
eBay bid history
As I never get tired of saying, the latest bid gets it

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Charles Addams: In the Library's Stacks

How many photographs does it take to sell an original New Yorker cartoon by the great Charles Addams? Two? Four? An eBay seller goes all in with twenty-four.

Charles Addams
Original art
The New Yorker, July 10, 1971, p. 21
Favorite Haunts (1976), p. 50

Charles Addams
Original art
The New Yorker, July 10, 1971, p. 21
Favorite Haunts (1976), p. 50

Charles Addams
Original art
The New Yorker, July 10, 1971, p. 21
Favorite Haunts (1976), p. 50

Charles Addams's signature

Ding

Ding

Ding

Charles Addams
eBay listing ended March 10, 2023

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115727486985?hash=item1af1e55009:g:DykAAOSwb0ZkCqxQ&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAABALwp4S6KkexxBRpgtmjDDmnolTbgo3hIT8iODt2aA9WSG9o5JAc8r5LfebvjNBDh9B5NRQtkJQwMcjfsZIap63VGarlehkmpcXU7e%2FskIOKRpmzQA8U%2FC7d27mqTyc6cFfGv5YFBPwN%2Be%2FOjjyK3XeGD0L65cZ8QlSDMONqf

OtokvijKhj17swHy1cn5JGBmM0qHGWWvQ8qhIw0BlquQ0%2FaR9q7U4DG8iUES1w7W5OeX0BqsivZ3XoPtJ44LpWKnb4rxx%2FXeUpFuGUchD0RoEbOwX9hcQsVnxeCwfq8Gwv90gYEvvxAIYkER4JYkSnZO6mUEgsNveM0y2Gota6YkZjM%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-yX69XwYQ

Charles Addams
eBay item description

The buyer offered $4,200. Seller countered with $5,400.
Buyer countered with $4,800. Seller countered with $5,000.
Accepted.

Three recent sales of original New Yorker cartoon art by Charles Addams from eBay

Charles Addams
Original art
The New Yorker, July 10, 1971, p. 21
Favorite Haunts (1976), p. 50

A spot drawing by Henry Martin and a cartoon by Charles Addams

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1971-07-10/flipbook/020/

Favorite Haunts (1976, W. H. Allen British edition 1977), pp. 50-51

Spot drawing
Henry Martin

Note:  Another great New Yorker cartoonist, Edward Koren (1935-2023), passed away on Friday morning. Posts on Attempted Bloggery about his work may be seen here.

Happily, Charles Addams was quite prolific. Images of his original cartoon art, souvenir drawings, and published rarities would very likely make for fine future blog posts. There is no need to send twenty-four photos. Just saying.

Readers who have purchased New Yorker-related art through the eBay Make Offer option are encouraged to inform this blogger of the full details of negotiation. The public wants to know!

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