The Monday Tilley Watch Takes A Glancing Look At The Art & Artists Of The Latest Issue Of The New Yorker
One’s 97th birthday doesn’t come around every day, so this week’s issue (a double) is indeedy-do a special occasion. Rea Irvin, The New Yorker’s first art supervisor (some refer to him as its first editor, but I’m sticking with “supervisor” for now), created Eustace Tilley, the top-hatted fellow on the magazine’s inaugural issue. He, Rea Irvin that is, should be applauded for a drawing that’s stood the test of time. If you Google image “Eustace Tilley,” you’ll see a zillion takes on the fine fellow…add on a zillion-and-one including my celebratory cupcake Tilley on this post, and a zillion-and-two including the magazine’s 97th anniversary cover.
A shout-out as well on this big day to Harold Ross, The New Yorker’s founder and first editor. He always strived for the perfect issue; I don’t know that he ever felt he got there, but no matter — it’s the trying that’s the important thing.
And now, briefly, to the issue…
The Cartoonists & Cartoons:
Twenty-one cartoons, twenty-three cartoonists (Roz Chast has a Sketchbook, and J.A.K. has a Sketchpad). No duos that we know of, and no newbies. The longest active contributor in the issue is the great Edward Koren.
Below is his Spill entry, along with a photo from a few years back, taken at a Koren art opening in lower Manhattan. Mr. Koren’s on the right. Next to him is Roger Angell, the longest active contributor from one of the other branches of The New Yorker‘s editorial side.
Edward Koren Born, 1935. New Yorker work: May 26, 1962 — . Key collections: Do You Want To Talk About It? ( Pantheon, 1976), Well, There’s Your Problem (Pantheon, 1980), Caution: Small Ensembles (Pantheon, 1983), What About Me? (Pantheon Books, 1989). Website: edwardkoren.com
The newest contributor in the issue is Madeline Horwath, who began contributing in July of 2019.
To see all the cartoons in the issue go here. I suggest you go through the slideshow slowly, as you have to wait until February 21st before you see a new crop of cartoons.
The Rea Irvin Talk Watch:
Well…..I was hoping against hope (I think that’s the correct usage) that this would be the issue Mr. Irvin’s long-standing-until-2017 Talk design (above) would return home, but nooooooooo. Read all about it here.