Peter Arno: What Morris Needs

The amorous Morris gets some sound if probably unwanted advice from the young woman he has his arms wrapped tightly about. The scene is from an original Peter Arno cartoon that was sold at auction just yesterday. The drawing in its day was not accepted by The New Yorker, but it does appear in Peter Arno's Circus (1931). 

"Listen[,] Morris. What you need is a wife!"

Peter Arno

Original art

Published as "Listen[,] Charlie, what you need is a wife."

Peter Arno's Circus, Horace Liveright, 1931

Arno had used the name Morris a few times in New Yorker captions; this eager young man was renamed Charlie when he finally got to appear in print. The book collects Arno's work, most of it published in The New Yorker between 1929 and 1931; this drawing may well be one of the earlier examples in the set.

"Listen[,] Charlie, what you need is a wife."

Peter Arno's Circus, Horace Liveright, 1931

Perhaps the magazine thought the drawing gymnastically improbable, or the sensible caption too at odds with the lustful scenario. Having the woman's face covered makes it difficult to interpret her words. Does she herself want to be Morris's wife? That seems unlikely. Does she want him to find a wife and leave her alone? Maybe, but that doesn't quite fit with her actions either. Is her lifestyle too exhausting? Her pose seems willing. What exactly do her words mean?

Peter Arno's signature

Neal Auction Company of New Orleans gave this drawing a presale estimate of $700 to $1000. The opening bid was set at $125. They go so far as to describe it as in "overall poor condition." That seems a bit harsh for something that still looks good and remains in one piece after more than ninety years. Calling it in fair condition might be more...fair. 

Peter Arno
Neal Auction Company listing accessed January 10, 2022

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/peter-arno-american-new-york-1904-1968-151-c-d3f43029ec?objectID=176478577&algIndex=upcoming_lots_prod&queryID=e48a68f94c471405a77df72280ee209d

The piece sold yesterday for $1,200, not including the premium.

04197

My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #771

It wasn't at all easy to find my entry for The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #771 from the issue dated September 13, 2021. My caption is shown below. The drawing is by Drew Dernavich.

"So these are your beach buddies?"

These captions remain lost:

"Isn't it time we left the beach?"
"I meant, do a Google search."
"Maybe the place you need to look is within your heart."

September 20, 2021 Update:  The Finalists

September 28, 2021 Update:  I voted for the caption from St. Louis.

October 4, 2021 Update:  The Winner

03748

William Steig: A Proposal

William Steig's original cartoon for The New Yorker of December 6, 1958 has been listed by bookseller James Cummins with the caption "Sandra, my happiness is in your hands." Perhaps that's what's written on the original, or perhaps it's a transcribing error, but in either case it isn't the full published caption, which reads, "Sandra, my whole life's happiness is in your hands." That's much better, or at least more earnest, and it may reveal the guiding editorial hand of The New Yorker. The original can be yours, or your Valentine's, for a grand.

"Sandra, my happiness is in your hands."
William Steig
Original art
Published as "Sandra, my whole life's happiness is in your hands."
The New Yorker, December 6, 1958, page 45

William Steig
James Cummins, Bookseller listing accessed February 13, 2021

https://www.jamescumminsbookseller.com/pages/books/100316/william-steig/sandra-my-happiness-is-in-your-hands

"Sandra, my happiness is in your hands."
William Steig
Original art
Published as "Sandra, my whole life's happiness is in your hands."
The New Yorker, December 6, 1958, page 45

"Sandra, my whole life's happiness is in your hands."
William Steig
The New Yorker, December 6, 1958, page 45

Cartoons by Dana Fradon and William Steig
There's also the tail-end of a Talk piece on caricaturist Al Hirschfeld.

Note:  Original art by William Steig often goes beyond the traditional bounds of gag cartoon humor to say something meaningful about life itself. Images of his original art are something I'm happy to post here on Attempted Bloggery. Reader submissions of scans or photos are welcome.

03536