Herb Williams: From the Collection of Paul P. Goldberg

When cartoonist Herb Williams responded to collector Paul P. Goldberg in April of 1967, he did not return the self-addressed blank postcard that was presumably included. Instead he used his own envelope and obligingly sent a work of original art from San Francisco to Philadelphia. He wrote, "Dear Paul/ Instead of a small drawing I thought you'd rather have a rejected 'rough'.[sic]/ It's less work for me and I have  a ton of them./ Best regards/ Herb."

Envelope, drawing, note from Herb Williams

"Are you being waited on?"
Herb Williams
Original cartoon rough

Herb Williams's signature

Typed caption

Verso
Herb Williams's personal stamp is imprinted directly over the stamp of one Florence Alexander of 50 E. 42nd St., New York. This unusual marking suggests the drawing paper changed hands before it was put to use.

Herbert Williams
eBay listing ended December 14, 2023

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176084401379?hash=item28ff72bce3:g:VKoAAOSwWGVlcSGC

Herbert Williams
eBay item description

Herbert Williams
eBay bid history
There's just one bidder who placed two bids. You can't bid the price up against yourself, of course, so this was done just to be safe.

According to Michael Maslin's Ink Spill website, Williams is a member of the "One Club," a group of artists whose work appearing in The New Yorker is limited to one and only one cartoon. I decided to look up his single drawing for the magazine and show it here. I think it's very clever. Not too surprisingly, I believe it stands head and shoulders above the rejected rough cartoon.

"Well, at least I'm getting something out of
the taxes I did pay for years."
Herb Williams
The New Yorker, September 8, 1945, p. 44

A cartoon by Herb Williams and an ad for the Richard Hudnut Salon and DuBarry Success School

https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1945-09-08/flipbook/044/

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Charles Sauers: From the Collection of Paul P. Goldberg

In June of 1970, New Yorker cartoonist Charles Sauers responded to Paul P. Goldberg's mailed request for a drawing on a self-addressed postcard. He sent a patriotic American sketch. Is it impolite to point?

Charles Sauers's signature

Charles Sauers
eBay listing ended November 30, 2023

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176052559524?hash=item28fd8cdea4:g:Y0IAAOSwqPRlYAMR

Charles Sauers
eBay item description

Charles Sauers
eBay bid history
As usual, it's better to bid later.

I don't know whether Sauers was thinking of one of the standing figures on the right here from a nineteenth century reimagining of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by Charles Édouard Armand-Dumaresq but it's possible:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Signing_of_Declaration_of_Independence

by_Armand-Dumaresq,_c1873.png

 

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Stan Hunt: From the Paul P. Goldberg Collection

Autograph and drawing collector Paul P. Goldberg's practice for obtaining cartoonists' sketches from the 1950s to the 1970s was to send them self-addressed, stamped, blank postcards or envelopes along with a note requesting a specimen of their artwork. Stan Hunt's disgruntled businessman postmarked in 1970 from New Milford is a typical example, quickly executed and quickly recognizable. A large number of Goldberg's originals have been offered for sale on eBay since late November, work generously sent to him free of charge by some of the best American and European political, comic strip, and gag cartoonists of his time. I thought I might share a few of these here before they disappear from view forever.

Stan Hunt
eBay listing ended November 30, 2023

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176052553323?hash=item28fd8cc66b:g:O2sAAOSwNkxlX5hE

Stan Hunt
eBay item description

04565

My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #882

What are those cowboys up to this time in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #882 from the issue of January 22, 2024? My caption is shown below. The drawing is by Michael Maslin.

"He always shows up with the wrong horse."

These captions couldn't shoot straight:

"I'm guessing it will be his first rodeo."
"Well, you can take the cowboy out of Moscow, but . . ."

January 30, 2024 Update:  The Finalists

February 17, 2024 Update:  I voted for the caption from Arlington.

February 23, 2024 Update:  The Winner

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Dean Vietor: The Readout

An original drawing by cartoonist Dean Vietor brings us back to the days of mainframe computers and the era of humor on the subject. Chances are the phone you carry in your pocket today has more computing power than this machine that filled an entire room, but is your phone as insightful about you?

Dean Vietor's signature

Dean Vietor
eBay listing ended December 12, 2023

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154610066780?hash=item23ff7a655c:g:WUwAAOSwMM5hLDDx

Dean Vietor
eBay item description

Note:  In the spring of 2022, this original drawing was mentioned on Michael Maslin's Ink Spill here.  It was then noted to have been languishing on eBay for some time and was sold only recently.

I have the usual questions to throw out to the blog readership. Where was this cartoon published, if indeed it was published, and when? Why is the man dressed in a tuxedo here given his line of work? He seems awkward standing there facing away from the mainframe, but just why exactly does the higher intelligence deem him to be a "klutz?"

It's hard to explain why, in my twelve and a half years of blogging, I have yet to mention Dean Vietor or to show any of his work prior to this post. Ever contrite, I am willing to make up for this oversight if collectors would care to submit other examples of his original art.

04563

Barney Tobey: The Baseball Scout's Discovery

An original published cartoon by Barney Tobey from the 1940s was sold on eBay in October. Set in the business office of a baseball team, its humor reflects some broadly accepted sexist attitudes towards women at the time. The sale price for the artwork was a best offer somewhere below $324.99.

"One of our scouts discovered her sitting next to him in the stands one day."
Barney Tobey
Original cartoon art
IAC?, April 1940s

Caption

Barney Tobey's signature

Barney Tobey
eBay listing ended October 25, 2023

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154403168724?hash=item23f32561d4:g:JtEAAOSwdZJgVzcA

Barney Tobey
eBay item description

Note:  I don't know what IAC stood for in the 1940s or where this drawing may have been published, but I'm willing to learn. Those in the know should enlighten me. 

04562