My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #865

It's a beautiful night for dogs to stargaze—where they can—in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #865 from the issue of September 11, 2023. My caption is shown below. The drawing is by Frank Cotham.

"It exerts a strange pull on me."

These captions cast no light:

"And yet I feel strangely drawn to it."
"Some call it a black hole, but don't get sucked into that."
"Whatever it is, it sucks."

 

September 24, 2023 Update:  The Finalists

September 30, 2023 Update:  I voted for the caption from Brooklyn.

October 7, 2023 Update:  The Winner

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My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #817

"I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you."

—Sammy Cahn

"Until the Real Thing Comes Along"

I saw no point in working that old 1936 Fats Waller song lyric into my caption for The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #817 from the issue of September 5, 2022, and even if I did, how many people today would recognize it? My caption is shown below. The drawing is by Michael Maslin.

"Can you believe there's a Macy's out here?"

These captions didn't shine bright enough:

"I always said I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you."
"I found you a reading light."
"I got us a night light."
"That will give you eyestrain."
"Just try finding one on a cloudy night."
"It's my time to shine."
"Careful, it's pointy."
"I have a five-point rebuttal."
"The earth says hello."
"Nah, it's from Macy's."

September 16, 2022 Update:  The Finalists

September 19, 2022 Update:  I voted for the caption from St. Paul.

September 26, 2022 Update:  The Winner

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Wise Tie

This fanciful tie design by Hermès, known apparently as a Twillby tie,  is very appealing and should catch the eyes of night owls everywhere.

Hermès Silk Tie 5131 HA

That owl may be what first caught my eye on eBay, but this double-stirrup design is actually the tie's primary pattern.

Hermès Silk Tie 5131 HA

Note the two patterns on the back of the tie, again from the eBay listing.

Hermès Silk Tie 5131 HA

And now we can understand what's most interesting, intriguing, and perhaps even vexing about the tie. The double-stirrup design covers the wide part of the tie. The enchanting owl design is limited to the thin part of the tie.

Hermès Silk Tie 5131 HA

This means that when this necktie is worn, people will admire the regular geometric pattern, while the delightful owls, save for the odd gust of wind, will remain totally unseen!

Hermès Silk Tie 5131 HA

Hermès Twillby Tie 5131 HA, eBay Item Description

Auction Ending February 3, 2013

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290850743284

Hermès Twillby Tie 5131 HA
eBay Item Description

Auction Ending January 24, 2013

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-MINT-BOX-HERMES-TWILLBY-TIE-BLACK-CHAIN-DANCRE-LINKS-OWLS-STARS-XL-/230912840826?pt=US_Mens_Ties&hash=item35c37a547a

Here's a second example from a different eBay seller of the same type of Twillby tie design:

Hermès Silk Tie 5096 PA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-HERMES-Tie-Links-Horse-Dark-Blue-Twillby-5096-PA-/380549010363?pt=US_Mens_Ties&hash=item589a7d13bb&nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

The front of the tie shows a linked pattern.

Hermès Silk Tie 5096 PA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-HERMES-Tie-Links-Horse-Dark-Blue-Twillby-5096-PA-/380549010363?pt=US_Mens_Ties&hash=item589a7d13bb&nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Whereas the back of the tie has horses that are on an unseen part of the tie.

Hermès Silk Tie 5096 PA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-HERMES-Tie-Links-Horse-Dark-Blue-Twillby-5096-PA-/380549010363?pt=US_Mens_Ties&hash=item589a7d13bb&nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

The wearer knows full well of the tie's whimsy, but the general public does not.

Hermès Silk Tie 5096 PA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-HERMES-Tie-Links-Horse-Dark-Blue-Twillby-5096-PA-/380549010363?pt=US_Mens_Ties&hash=item589a7d13bb&nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Hermès Silk Tie 5096 PA eBay Item Listing
January 9, 2013

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-HERMES-Tie-Links-Horse-Dark-Blue-Twillby-5096-PA-/380549010363?pt=US_Mens_Ties&hash=item589a7d13bb&nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Hermès Silk Tie 5096 PA eBay Item Description
January 9, 2013

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-HERMES-Tie-Links-Horse-Dark-Blue-Twillby-5096-PA-/380549010363?pt=US_Mens_Ties&hash=item589a7d13bb&nma=true&si=VJo29%252F7WbHpl1SY9gWmnl4%252FkT80%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

February 3, 2013 Update:  The owl tie sold today for $168--to me! This is a prime example of how blogging costs me money. If you should catch me when I'm wearing it, just say the word and I'll share the tie's hidden design with you.

November 21, 2015 Update:  The owl on the back of the Trilby tie also stands on its own! Here is design 7997 EA.

Hermès Silk Tie 7997 EA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-REAL-HERMES-TIE-DARK-RED-W-FUN-BLUE-BARN-OWLS-w-WHITE-MOON-STARS-XL-/231753261101?hash=item35f592202d:g:070AAOSwMmBVlCTe

Hermès Silk Tie 7997 EA

Hermès Silk Tie 7997 EA

Hermès Silk Tie 7997 EA

Hermès Silk Tie 7997 EA

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