The gavel has dropped, and the winning prices are in for the latest Swann Illustration auction (which included a number of New Yorker pieces: cartoons and covers). After looking through the results this morning, I think it’s safe to say it was a good day if you are a Frank Modell fan (two of his pieces went for the lowest amount: $219.00 each), and for Roz Chast afficianados: her two drawings sold for $750.00 and $1,000.00. For the Charles Addams fan, you shelled out the bigger bucks: $11,250.00.
Of the many pieces by Lee Lorenz, the average price was around $600.00. His cover sold for far more: $3,500.00. Other covers sold: $7,250.00 (by Alajalov), $2,000.00 (by Arthur Getz), and a rare sighting: a Rea Irvin cover. It went for a surprisingly low $910.00.
I expected the Steinberg drawing to go much higher, but still, $5,750.00 isn’t chicken feed. The Thurber offered went for nearly the identical price: $5,500.00. Another rarity — a Carl Rose drawing, was left unsold (Swann estimated it would sell for $700.00 -$1,000.00, but no dice!). A William Steig illustration, off in another area of the catalog (Lot #57), as it is an illustration, went for the not surprising sum of $4,000.00.
Can’t wait for Swann’s next Illustration auction. It’s pure pleasure seeing these original pieces, whether bidding or dreaming (or both).
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People Also Ask:
That’s the heading that pops up nearly daily as I begin my Google Spill searches. I find what people are searching for enlightening, and yes, fascinating. Here’s a screenshot:
Let me try to help out with some answers.
- Does The New Yorker have cartoons? If this was a test, I’d feel pretty good about answering in the affirmative.
- Who Are The New Yorker Cartoonists? Smart-alecky me wants to say “who is anyone really?” There’s also this. But if I may, I humbly direct you to the Spills “New Yorker Cartoonists A-Z.” You’ll find some answers there.
- Who Draws The New Yorker Cartoons? I have heard other cartoonists tell me they’ve been asked if they draw all the cartoons in The New Yorker, or, if one person draws all of them. But enough of that: Please see the answer to Question #2.
- How do you get a cartoon in The New Yorker? Another opportunity for a smart-alecky answer, but I’ll just direct you to this.