Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Sight Unseen: Lea and Everett Raymond Kinstler's Copy of Here at The New Yorker by Brendan Gill

Brendan Gill's Here at The New Yorker was published in 1975 to celebrate the magazine's fiftieth anniversary. It served as my introduction to The New Yorker's rich history. Aside from the many artistic, literary, and corporate characters we learn about, there is Daniel H. Silberberg, whom Gill describes as "an advisor to both the editorial and business sides of the magazine." In a discussion of his work during the years under Harold Ross's editorial leadership, Silberberg is depicted in a portrait by the painter Everett Raymond Kinstler. 


On February 10, 1975, Gill inscribed a copy of the newly-published book to Kinstler and his wife Lea. It turned up on AbeBooks last month in a listing from Dave's Books of Brooklyn. It was illustrated only by a stock photo. This photo shows the wonderful dust jacket by Charles Addams, but the actual book that was offered for sale had lost this dust cover some time over the past half century. Of course, the endpaper still has the inscription from Gill and, priced at only $10.44, the volume was a piece of New Yorker history I felt I should buy—even sight unseen—in this, the magazine's centennial year.

Stock photo

Brendan Gill
AbeBooks listing accessed September 21, 2025

Brendan Gill
AbeBooks item description



Gill's inscription has been discolored, probably from his 1997 Times obituary being stored directly against it.


Kinstler's painting is reproduced on page 191.

Gill's stated concern that the picture credits treat Kinstler's portrait as if it were "a mere photograph" seems a little overblown to me:

Gill's obituary from the Times came loosely folded into the book:

Also found in the book is this short promotional biography of the artist with his portrait of John Wayne.




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Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Sight Unseen: Lore's Copy of Edward Koren's Do You Want to Talk About It?

The idea behind Sight Unseen posts is pretty simple: I select a book that sounds visually appealing even though I actually cannot see what it looks like. In the case of Edward Koren's cartoon collection Do You Want to Talk About It? (1976), there was only a stock photo in the AbeBooks listing I found on September 21, but no image of the actual book being offered. Instead, there was the enticing description "with a drawing by the author on the ffep [front free endpaper]" provided by Dave's Books of Brooklyn. Although there were some condition issues, the price seemed reasonable enough, $45.44 plus $5.50 shipping. Should I buy it without asking to see the Koren drawing? Of course I should.








Now, one month later, we have the information we need. The transaction can be reassessed in light of the drawing. Me, I'm going to call this one a win.






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Monday, October 20, 2025

My Entry in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #964

In The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #964 from the issue of October 20, 2025, we are looking at a baseball park's outfield. Two groundskeepers watch an outfielder chasing a fly ball into a wild environment with waiting bears. The grounds crewman who is holding a rake speaks. My entry appears below. The drawing is by Ed Himelblau.

"We might be in for some overtime."



These captions didn't get out of the batter's box.

"Those bears are bad news."
"I call that one the Green Monster."
"What's YOUR favorite postapocalyptic sport?"
"Uh-oh. He's approaching the warning track."





October 28, 2025 Update:  The Finalists





November 9, 2025 Update:  I voted for the caption from East Hartland.


November 15, 2025 Update:
  The Winner






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Sunday, October 19, 2025

Bob Wilson's Copy of The Very Fine Clock by Muriel Spark and Edward Gorey, Plus Another

The Very Fine Clock (1968) by Muriel Spark with pictures by Edward Gorey is now being reissued in a beautiful new edition from Transit Children's Editions on the occasion of Gorey's centenary. Today copies of the original edition of this children's book signed by Gorey carry a considerable premium. Such a copy, for example, is available from Margins13 Books of Redmond, for $540:









Edward Gorey
AbeBooks listing accessed October 18, 2025



Edward Gorey
AbeBooks item description




Another fine copy of the first edition, also listed on AbeBooks, is signed and inscribed to Bob Wilson of the Phoenix Bookshop. In addition, Gorey has dated it 24 November 1969, something I don't recall seeing him do before. The volume is available for $650 from Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd., of Cadyville:


Edward Gorey
AbeBooks listing accessed October 18, 2025









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Saturday, October 18, 2025

Sean Thackrey's Copy of Doodaaa: The Balletic Art of Gavin Twinge by Ralph Steadman

Doodaaa:  The Balletic Art of Gavin Twinge (2002) is, I believe, Ralph Steadman's satirical prose take on the arts in general and Dada in particular. It is billed as "a triography" as it includes his alter ego. The copy inscribed to California winemaker Sean Thackrey has a very nice drawing of a wine glass with a face and, for good measure, Steadman includes a stirrer. Moe's Books offered this volume for $125 on Thursday and it quickly sold.




Sold!
Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks listing sold October 16, 2025
j
Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks item description

October 29, 2025 Update:  Based on other personalized Steadman books listed online, I have corrected the recipient's name and given him a vocation according to his 2022 New York Times obituary..











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Friday, October 17, 2025

"Something Else Entirely: The Illustration Art of Edward Gorey" Opening Reception

Last night the Society of Illustrators hosted the official opening reception for the exhibition "Something Else Entirely: The Illustration Art of Edward Gorey." The crowd was enthusiastic; the artwork was inspired.


The display case houses published Gorey rarities, including copies of old copies of TV Guides graced by Gorey illustrations.

The real treasure, of course, is the original Gorey art:











Wouldn't you just know it? The cover art for A Clutch of Vampires is in the archives here.







Note:  There's still time to celebrate Edward Gorey's centenary. "Something Else Entirely: The Illustration Art of Edward Gorey" continues its run at the Society of Illustrators in New York through January 4.



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