Barney Tobey and the Ashcan School

A rare lithograph by Barney Tobey (1906-1989) from 1933 was offered for sale at Roland New York earlier this month. The Scavenger is a gritty image from the Depression depicting a poor man rummaging through garbage cans. It is numbered 4 of only 8 prints and in style and subject matter belongs quite literally to the Ashcan School. It did not find a buyer.

Barney Tobey, The Scavenger, 1933, #4/8

Barney Tobey, The Scavenger, 1933, #4/8, framed

Detail

Barney Tobey's signature

Roland Auctioneers and Valuers, February 6, 2016
The description belongs to the following lot.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/43587867_barney-tobey-lithograph-the-scavenger

Note:  There's more about cartoonist Barney Tobey in the blog's archives.

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My Entry in the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #509

Here is my entry in the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #509 for February 8, 2016. The drawing is by Michael Crawford.

"Gloria Steinem or no, I could really use a bicycle!"

February 22, 2016 Update:  The Finalists

March 7, 2016 Update:  Winning Caption

Note:  Last time, Paul Noth gave us a cartoon with some teeth in it, although my particular caption lacked bite. Chew over the results of Contest #508.

Then there are the archival blog posts about Michael Crawford. The cartoonist. This is what Wikipedia calls disambiguation, so you don't think I'm talking about Michael Crawford the actor.

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Jean-Jacques Sempé's Cellist: More from a Blogger's Birthday Wish List

Each year on this date I traditionally feature some unattainable work of illustration art that I fancifully declare to be on my birthday wish list. Usually it's an illustration of a woman jumping out of a cake, a drawing by Ronald Searle, or—on one fine occasion—both. This year I'm abandoning the scantily-clad young ladies bursting forth from sugary birthday confections and instead indulging my more introspective side. My new wish list item is a delightful little drawing of a cellist by the sublime Jean-Jacques Sempé. In contrast to previous wish list selections, this item is currently available for purchase on eBay to anyone willing to overpay for the privilege of getting me a really neat present.

eBay Listing Copied February 17, 2016

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jean-Jacques-SEMPE-Artist-Violincelliste-original-drawing-/121644937957?hash=item1c529a72e5:g:9NAAAOSwPhdVS7YB

eBay Item Description

Jean-Jacques Sempé

Note:  My previous wish list selections are still available for viewing, but good luck trying to find the originals.

The archives also have more work by the very gifted Jean-Jacques Sempé, a cartoonist with a most poetic sensibility.

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Barney Tobey's Shipboard Ruse

Here Barney Tobey's original cartoon art is set on a cruise ship. A pair of single young women feel compelled to employ an elaborate strategy to avoid unwanted male attention. The original artwork shows evidence of foxing. It was sold for $150 in 2009 and subsequently for an undisclosed amount on eBay in 2011.

"Here he comes 'round again, Pretend you're asleep!"
Barney Tobey, original cartoon art

http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/barney-tobey-american,-1906-1989-gouache-65-c-d9518367e1

"Here he comes 'round again, Pretend you're asleep!"
Barney Tobey, framed original cartoon art

Barney Tobey's signature

Caption

Bill Hood & Sons Art & Antique Auctions, November 24, 2009

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6853190_barney-tobey-american-1906-1989-gouache-penink

eBay Listing Ended March 27, 2011

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/signed-tobey-american-ny-illustrator-139210547

Note:  Cruise these topics from the blog archives:

Barney Tobey

Original cartoon art

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Barney Tobey's Guilty Pleasure

A work of original cartoon art by Barney Tobey depicts a couple trying to enjoy a beautiful day on a tropical beach. The artwork was offered at Swann Galleries win 2009 where it did not find a buyer. Perhaps the humor hit a little too close to home.

"I don't know why I feel guilty, I just do feel guilty!"
Barney Tobey, original cartoon art

Swann Galleries, April 23, 2009, Sale 2177, Lot 257

http://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=2177+++++257+&refno=++616786&saletype=

Note:  There's no need to feel guilty about checking out these topics from the archives:

Barney Tobey

Original cartoon art

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Barney Tobey's Dog Lineup

A pencil rough by cartoonist Barney Tobey has the feel of an inside joke rather than of a New Yorker cartoon. Perhaps it is a private commission. There is an attorney today named Ruth Pollack, but the name could belong to someone else.

"Which one of you dogs bit Ruth Pollack?"
Barney Tobey, pencil rough

Kamelot Auction House, June 18, 2016

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/37578526_barney-tobey-original-new-yorker-cartoon

November 9, 2016 Update:  This piece is now being offered on eBay with an opening bid price equal to the 2015 hammer price at Kamelot Auction House before the 28% buyer's premium was added. Thus the seller appears willing to take a possible loss.

"Which one of you dogs bit Ruth Pollack?"
Barney Tobey, pencil rough

eBay Listing as of November 9, 2016http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-BARNEY-TOBEY-Cartoon-Drawing-NEW-YORKER-ARTIST-Dog-Lineup-SIGNED-Listed-/381837547438?hash=item58e74a97ae:g:rIMAAOSwzaJX5pRh

eBay Item Description

November 20, 2016 Update:  Sold, again for $50!

eBay Bid History
A lone bidder placed two bids to help assure a win.

Image added February 5, 2017

Note:  Visit the blog archives for more posts on the art of  Barney Tobey.

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What's in a Name?—Barney Tobey for Ethyl Corporation

"What's in a name?" Any student of organic chemistry can tell you that ethyl refers to a two-carbon functional group. But in this 1943 advertisement, the Ethyl Corporation wants you to forget all that because Ethyl is its trademark name. As Barney Tobey illustrates, it's a knockout.

"What's in a Name?"
Ethyl Corporation 1943 advertisementIllustrated by Barney Tobey

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1943-Ethyl-Corporation-Whats-in-A-Name-Barney-Tobey-/141892544527?

Note:  Consult the blog archives for more about these topics:

Advertising

Barney Tobey

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My Entry in the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #508

Here is my entry in the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #508 for February 1, 2016. The drawing is by Paul Noth.

"I was told there would be snacks."

These potential captions I just couldn't sink my teeth into:

"How about a tasting lineup instead?"
"Will I get profiled on Shark Week?"

February 15, 2016 Update: The Finalists

February 29, 2016 Update:  Winning Caption

Note:  Last week P. C. Vey pulled out a very big weiner. My caption needed a condiment. See the all-beef results of Contest #507.

See a lineup of Caption Contests by Paul Noth.

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Barney Tobey's Eye Exam

A work of original cartoon art by Barney Tobey showing a monastic version of the  eye exam comes, appropriately, from the estate of an ophthalmologist. It looks very much like a New Yorker gag and may have been intended as one, but on the verso it bears a Collier's label from 1947. Certainly the subtle tones of the ink and wash would have been reproduced more truly in the New Yorker. Despite all the publication evidence to the contrary, the eBay seller of this piece listed it as a New Yorker drawing. The cartoon as it appeared in Collier's is reproduced here to put any remaining doubt to rest.  After all, what you see is what you get.

"Now the next line, Abelard—"
Barney Tobey, original art
Collier's, November 22, 1947, page 45

"Now the next line, Abelard—"
Barney Tobey, original art
Collier's, November 22, 1947, page 45

"Now the next line, Abelard—"
Barney Tobey, original art
Collier's, November 22, 1947, page 45

Barney Tobey's signature and caption

Collier's label

Collier's label

Collier's label

Collier's label

"Now the next line, Abelard—"
Barney Tobey, original art
Collier's, November 22, 1947, page 45

Detail

eBay Item Ended June 1, 2015

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-BERNARD-B-TOBEY-1947-EDITORIAL-ART-FROM-THE-NEW-YORKER-MAGIZINE-/331565536752?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d32d895f0&nma=true&si=Zv4PhLp6HocGRC23iqci2JeQ2LI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

eBay Item Description

eBay Bid History
Three bidders submit seven bids, with two of them in the last six seconds

"Now the next line, Abelard—"

Barney Tobey, original art

Collier's, November 22, 1947, page 45

"Now the next line, Abelard—"
Barney Tobey, Collier's, November 22, 1947, page 45

http://www.unz.org/Pub/Colliers-1947nov22-00036

"Now the next line, Abelard—"
Barney Tobey, Collier's, November 22, 1947, page 45

http://www.unz.org/Pub/Colliers-1947nov22-00036

Note:  Put on your spectacles and enjoy further reading from the blog archives:

Barney Tobey

Collier's

Original cartoon art

Original New Yorker cartoon art

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