My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #846

There's something sinister about that dog in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #846 from the issue of April 17, 2023. My caption is shown below. The drawing is by Lonnie Millsap.

"I think he wants more than a chew toy."

These captions were disobedient:

"Better still, what possessed US to bring him home?"
"I have a new theory about what became of all our possessions."

May 1, 2023 Update:  The Finalists

May 12, 2023 Update:  I voted for the caption from Shelburne.

May 15, 2023 Update:  The Winner

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The Cartoon Collections Caption Contest #49

A new three-caption limit is supposedly in place for the Cartoon Collections Caption Contest #49, although as I noted last week the rollout of this unnecessary restriction on contestant creativity was seriously botched at the outset. Just to subvert the restriction I entered four times, even though my fourth caption is nothing more than a shortened variant of my second. Last week I mentioned that I initially had trouble reading this image, and from that observation I found I already had my first caption. From there it was easy. The drawing is by David Borchart.

"Everyone else calls me unreadable."
"I just know I have a graphic novel in me."
"I cast a long-form shadow."
"I know I have a zine in me."

November 21, 2019 Update:  The Winner

Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:

David Borchart

Shadows

The Cartoon Collections Caption Contest

The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest

The Moment Magazine Cartoon Caption Contest

All These Cartoon Caption Contests and Then Some

Attempted Bloggery's Take-Out Index

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A Ballerina's Shadows: Donald Higgins Proposed New Yorker Cover Art

Donald Higgins published five New Yorker covers over the course of his career. All of them are scenes in very low light, the brightest being a predawn view of the rowboats on Central Park Lake. The bold linework here recalls the art of Bernard Buffett.

Donald Higgins, The New Yorker, October 2, 1965

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/19/db/82/19db82efcda1254e995c24afabe56a6f.jpg

Higgins's study of a ballerina with a multiplicity of shadows cast by stage lights is something of a departure for him in the preeminence of a figure with movement. Light and shadow are always important elements in the few pieces we have of his, and that remains true here. This composition might have made for an interesting magazine cover but, for whatever reason, it was not accepted.

Donald Higgins, proposed New Yorker cover

Ha!

Donald Higgins's signature

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Donald Higgins
eBay Listing Ended November 16, 2016

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Donald-Higgins-NEW-YORKER-Magazine-Ballerina-Cover-Acrylic-on-Board-Painting-yqz-/232135036349?hash=item360c538dbd%3Ag%3ATG8AAOSwMVdYHqWQ&nma=true&si=YQGb25QThn5Fxe78BW8tTy6VzZY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Donald Higgins
eBay Item Description

eBay Bid History
Eight bids, five in the final hour of which three were in the final minute

Donald Higgins, proposed New Yorker cover

The eBay listing is actually the second appearance of this work on the market. The piece was first offered on November 1, 2016 by William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals of Chadds Ford, PA with an estimate of $200-$400. It sold there for only $20.

Donald Higgins, proposed New Yorker cover

Donald Higgins's signature

Verso

Donald Higgins
William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals, Chadds Ford, PA
November 1, 2016

https://new.liveauctioneers.com/item/48518774_donald-higgins-20th-century-study-for-new-yorker

Note:  I don't know much about Donald Higgins and his work, but I'd certainly like to see more. Please send along scans and photos of any pieces you may have by this artist.

Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:

Proposed New Yorker Cover Art

Ballet

Attempted Bloggery's Graceful Index

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