Huguette Martel: Babies Who Became Famous, and Why

In its November 4 sale of illustration art, Heritage Auctions offered the Irvin Greif Collection of New Yorker Art, four works by Charles Addams, Huguette Martel, Ronald Searle, and Edward Sorel. Of these, only the Martel cartoon did not find a buyer. It is an ink drawing with collage elements and it has the title Babies Who Became Famous, and Why. There are, count 'em, nine babies.

The work was offered at auction framed and matted:

The printed cartoon is affixed to the back of the frame. Only six of the nine baby panels were published in the magazine. Martel's drawings of Sigmund Freud, Christopher Columbus, and Julia Child did not make the cut.

Bidding started at $1,000 with a presale estimate of $2,000 - up. But as of the night prior to the sale, no bids had been received.

Huguette Martel
Heritage Auctions listing accessed the night prior to the sale

https://fineart.ha.com/itm/mainstream-illustration/huguette-martel-american-20th-century-babies-who-became-famous-and-why-new-yorker-interior-januar/a/8224-71269.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Open-MyTrackedLots-101116

Huguette Martel
Heritage Auctions item description

Even in the sale, there were no bids.

Heritage offers the artwork with a Buy Now price of $1,250 through November 18. The auction house also entertains offers.

Here is the Martel cartoon as it appeared in The New Yorker:

Babies Who Became Famous, and Why
Huguette Martel
The New Yorker, January 20, 1992, p. 33

And again the original Martel art:

Babies Who Became Famous, and Why
Huguette Martel
Original art
The New Yorker, January 20, 1992, p. 33

With cartoons by Michael Maslin and Huguette Martel

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1992-01-20/flipbook/032/

* * *

The cartoon on the page opposite, here by Michael Maslin, balances out the layout with lighter lines, lighter shading, and lighter humor. 

"Gentlemen, I've asked Mr. Gilbert, a
four-in-hand expert, to join us."
Michael Maslin
The New Yorker, January 20, 1992, p. 32

 

05117

Tony Bennett's Verdura Night and Day Dress Set

Classy guy, that Tony Bennett. His friends Jeanne and Herb presented the Bennetts with an extraordinary dress set in 2015. The cufflinks and matching studs were designed by Fulco di Verdura inspired by Cole Porter's song "Night and Day" from the show "Gay Divorce" (1932) and the movie version "The Gay Divorcee" (1934). The song was a popular hit and endured as one of the standards performed by many, including Frank Sinatra and Bennett. The cufflinks were first presented to Porter in 1941.

Fulco di Verdura
Julien's Auctions listing ended April 18, 2024

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/tony-bennett-verdura-night-day-dress-set-156-c-3a641a7859?objectID=187809572&algIndex=undefined&queryID=164faaad18297e946cb1f549b6a6c442

On the day of the auction, presale bidding was far below the estimate:

Sold!

Fred Astaire

"Night and Day"

From "Gay Divorce" (1932)

Leo Reisman and his Orchestra

Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers

"Night and Day"

From "The Gay Divorcee" (1934)

Frank Sinatra

"Night and Day" (1957 version)

Tony Bennett

"Night and Day"

Perfectly Frank

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga

"Night and Day"

04644

Charles Barsotti: New Yorker Cartoon Pajamas from Sleepy Jones

For those still looking for just the right Father's Day gift, Sleepy Jones offers men's pajamas decorated with twelve classic New Yorker dog cartoons by Charles Barsotti (1933-2014). The pajamas are also available in women's style, so everyone can enjoy a good night's reading. It's called the Doggone Henry pajama set and retails for $198.

https://sleepyjones.com/collections/men/products/henry-pajama-set-barsotti-poplin-blue

Note:  Thanks to Tom Bloom for bringing these PJs to my attention. For bookkeeping purposes, we'll call this Tom's eighteenth contribution to Attempted Bloggery.

03655

A Return to Cape Cod

Last month I spent four peaceful days in Cape Cod. It was the first time I'd been back in about three years. I did not foresee some of the new fashions.

Baseball cap, CVS, Chatham

Note:  I am thankful that I managed to avoid any serious marine mishaps. I'll be sharing some of my vacation photos over the next week or so.

01575

Boston Tea Party Tie

This red Hermès silk tie, design 7536 IA, shows tea leaves, a tea service, and a tea container. So while the basic tea motif is clear, I still can't quite make the leap to interpreting this design as the "Boston Tea Party."

Hermès Silk Tie 7536 IA "Boston Tea Party"

Hermès Silk Tie 7536 IA "Boston Tea Party"

Hermès Silk Tie 7536 IA "Boston Tea Party"

Hermès Silk Tie 7536 IA "Boston Tea Party," eBay Winning Bid

Hermès Silk Tie 7536 IA "Boston Tea Party," eBay Item Description

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-REAL-HERMES-TIE-DARK-RED-w-WHIMSICAL-STORY-OF-TEA-BOSTON-TEA-PARTY-/230915177502?nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

0634

Lovebirds by Hermès

It's that special time of year when we all turn our thoughts to love and romance. Fashionable men well-stocked in Hermès silk might very well opt to wear this charming tie featuring lovebirds. Why not? Yes, I'm sure that's just the thing to do this Thursday.
 

Hermès Lovebirds Tie 7593 SA

Hermès Lovebirds Tie 7593 SA

Hermès Lovebirds Tie 7593 SA

Hermès Lovebirds Tie 7593 SA

eBay Buy It Now Price

January 29, 2013

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-REAL-HERMES-TIE-NAVY-BLUE-w-WHIMSICAL-LOVE-BIRDS-HARPS-IN-THE-TREES-/290850132527?nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Hermès Lovebirds Tie 7593 SA

eBay Item Description

January 29, 2013

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-REAL-HERMES-TIE-NAVY-BLUE-w-WHIMSICAL-LOVE-BIRDS-HARPS-IN-THE-TREES-/290850132527?nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

0612

Hermès Lapinosaure Tie

This adorable silk tie from Hermès depicts a fire-breathing dragon and a harmless bunny rabbit. One element of the design shows a friendly encounter and the other shows a chase. The design is 5607 MA with the title Lapinosaure which I would take the liberty of translating as Bunnysaurus. The tie is a real delight.

Hermès Lapinosaure Tie 5607 MA

Hermès Lapinosaure Tie 5607 MA

Hermès Lapinosaure Tie 5607 MA

Hermès Lapinosaure Tie 5607 MA

eBay Winning Bid, January 28, 2013

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HERMES-Mens-Tie-5607-Lapinosaure-Cravate-9-1-CMS-Twill-de-Soie-Silk-New-in-Box-/290848846769?nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Hermès Lapinosaure Tie 5607 MA

eBay Item Description, January 28, 2013

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HERMES-Mens-Tie-5607-Lapinosaure-Cravate-9-1-CMS-Twill-de-Soie-Silk-New-in-Box-/290848846769?nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

***

Now seems an appropriate time to recall another story of a gentle animal threatened by a ferocious monster, Marv Newland's classic animated short "Bambi Meets Godzilla." Let's see how Bambi fares:

"Bambi Meets Godzilla"

By Marv Newland

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