Mischa Richter: Three Word-Based Illustrations

Of a group of three original word-based illustrations by cartoonist Mischa Richter, at least two of them refer to political events of the mid-1970s. The energy crisis was an issue throughout the 1970s, but the Arab oil embargo specifically took place from October 1973 to March 1974. Depicting the words energy crisis as a question mark might place the illustration in that uncertain time after the oil embargo ended. Nelson Rockefeller served as Gerald Ford's Vice President from December 1974 to January 1977. The "Now Playing" theater marquee would most likely date this trio of illustrations to the earlier part of Rockefeller's Vice Presidency. But why give the VP top billing? The stork with the letter O could serve as the opening letter to some text, or it could represent something else entirely. 

Mischa Richter
eBay listing ended June 14, 2021

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353484573279?hash=item524d528a5f%3Ag%3AmCoAAOSwQr9gk--d&nma=true&si=WEtIFz5%252FkfY9UxP8WWeB%252FCaqeVQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Mischa Richter
eBay item description

Mischa Richter
eBay bid history
A single bid in the last ten minutes

Note:  Where then might these have been published? If you recognize them, do tell.

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Otto Soglow: Four-in-Hand

It isn't often one sees a work of straight illustration by cartoonist Otto Soglow, creator of the Little King, but one such drawing with a Christmas theme turned up on eBay earlier this year. It has a central lozenge-shaped image depicting a four-in-hand being driven through a nighttime snowfall. This image is drawn supported by a metal stand and is flanked on either side by a burning candle. The seasonal illustration bears no resemblance to Soglow's typical stylized cartoons. It could very well be a magazine illustration.

Otto Soglow
eBay listing accessed January 26, 2021

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OTTO-SOGLOW-LITTLE-KING-CARTOONIST-S-ORIGINAL-MAG-CHRISTMAS-ART/233870266229?hash=item3673c10f75:g:BW0AAOSwcdJgDGpX

Otto Soglow
eBay item description

Note:  I would like to hear from anyone who can locate this illustration's place of publication.

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Virgil Partch: Show Jumping

Scott Burns has done it again. He writes with an original equestrian cartoon from the madcap Virgil Partch, who signs his name Vip. As prolific as Partch was, Scott notes that we don't see too many of his cartoons in color. Scott dates this cartoon to the Big George years, which would be from 1960, the panel strip's origin, to Partch's death in 1984 (although the comic strip continued until 1990 when Vip's finished gags ran out).

Virgil Partch

Scan by Scott Burns

Note:  My thanks once again go to Scott Burns. This is his fifth contribution to Attempted Bloggery and the fourth original Vip cartoon he has unearthed. What will come next? Wait and see.

Was this cartoon published? If so, where and when? Those are the kinds of questions I like to ask but can't answer. If you can, please contact me.

There is quite a lot of original Virgil Partch cartoon art out there, enough to support a dedicated Vip blog, no doubt. Until such a blog arrives on the scene, I will be happy to post scans of original Partch art right here. All you need is a Partch cartoon and a scanner. Come on, you know what to do.

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