Roger K.'s Copy of Quelques artistes et gens de lettres by Jean-Jacques Sempé

In 1992, Éditions Denoël published Quelques artistes et gens de lettres by Jean-Jacques Sempé, himself a cartoon artist and a man of letters. I don't think this book was ever printed in an English language edition. A superb copy is offered for sale by the Paris bookseller Librairie Le Feu Folet [Will-o'-the-Wisp, if you will]. It is reportedly inscribed to one Roger Karenvent although I don't believe that is the actual surname Sempé wrote. Nevertheless, the original recipient, Roger K., whoever he was, received a very nice drawing in his book of an artist at work on a still life. 

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My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #984

In The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #984 from the issue of March 30, 2026, a rabbit artist is working on a large painting while another rabbit is, it seems, criticizing it. The critical bunny speaks. My submission is below. The drawing is by Mike Twohy.

"For this we stopped reproducing?"

These captions weren't masterpieces:

"It doesn't hop."
"You forgot to use a dropcloth."
"It needs a caption."
"Well, I think it sucks."
"Too many colors."
"I don't look like that."
"Eggs again?"
"Chocolate again?"
"Your struggles are boring."

April 12, 2026 Update:  The Finalist

April 19, 2026 Update:  If I had only gotten around to it, I would have voted for the caption from East Providence.

April 26, 2026 Update:  The Winner

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Dorothy McKay: Priorities

The original art for a full color, full page 1956 Esquire cartoon by Dorothy McKay is currently available from Honey & Wax Booksellers of Brooklyn.

"Why don't you do something, dear, besides just make money?"
Dorothy McKay
Original art
Esquire, September 1956, p. 88

McKay's frustrating cartooning career with The New Yorker ended in 1936. Yet this Esquire piece from two decades later seems to retain something of a New Yorker cartoon sensibility. One can imagine a black-and-white version being perfectly at home in its pages. Fortunately, the drawing was appreciated by Esquire's editors and it found a good home away from home. 

"Why don't you do something, dear, besides just make money?"
Dorothy McKay
Original art
Esquire, September 1956, p. 88

Dorothy McKay
Honey & Wax Booksellers listing accessed August 3, 2024

https://www.honeyandwaxbooks.com/pages/books/1003790/dorothy-mckay/why-don-t-you-do-something-dear-besides-just-make-money

"Why don't you do something, dear, besides just make money?"
Dorothy McKay
Esquire, September 1956, p. 88

https://classic.esquire.com/issue/19560901/print

Note:  Are you burdened by original Dorothy McKay art going unshared despite the ready availability of the internet? Are you in need of a suitable blog to realize your dream of letting the world at large appreciate what's in your collection? I stand eager to share images of your treasures.

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