Books Signed by Peter Arno, William Steig, and Chris Jensen

A somewhat unlikely trio of signed cartoon books were sold together—nearly given away—on eBay in June. Two are by classic New Yorker artists Peter Arno and William Steig, and one is by Chris Jensen. Whoops Dearie! (1927) is a novel based on Arno's raucous Whoops Sisters who were wildly popular in the New Yorker's early years. It is ghost written by Philip Wylie. Signed copies are not very hard to come by. The real find here is William Steig'sSmall Fry (1944), not at all common with the artist's signature. The signed copy of Chris Jensen'sSheepherder Sam Cartoons (1972) seems out of place in this group. Five copies are available on Abe Books right now, with prices ranging widely from $9.00 to $93.21. None of them are signed.

Peter Arno, Whoops Dearie! (1927), William Steig,Small Fry (1944), and Chris Jensen,Sheepherder Sam Cartoons (1972) Note the eBay seller's footwear.

Peter Arno, Whoops Dearie! (1927) Signed on front free endpaper with book plate

William Steig, Small Fry (1944) Signed on front free endpaper

William Steig's signature

Peter Arno's signature

Chris Jensen, Sheepherder Sam Cartoons (1972) Signed and inscribed on front free endpaper

Inscribed and signed by Chris Jensen

"It's my old college sweater...'Ewe of Ewe!'"                                                              Chris Jensen, Sheepherder Sam Cartoons (1972) Title page

William Steig, Small Fry (1944) Title page

"Maybe we ought to change his analyst"                         William Steig, Small Fry (1944)

Peter Arno, Whoops Dearie! (1927) Title page

Peter Arno, William Steig, and Chris Jensen eBay Listing Ended June 14, 2017 http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Yorker-Cartoon-Books-Willian-Steig-Peter-Arno-Artist-AUTOGRAPHED-1st-Edition-/391811018369?nma=true&si=YQGb25QThn5Fxe78BW8tTy6VzZY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Peter Arno, William Steig, and Chris Jensen eBay Item Description

Peter Arno, William Steig, and Chris Jensen eBay Bid History One and only one bid.

Note:  Alas, I failed to record this seller's eBay auction of the rare book signed by cartoonist Mary Petty. Did any reader succeed copying the photographs?

By the way, I'm in the market for scans and photographs of rare and unusual books by the likes of William Steig, Peter Arno, Mary Petty, and other New Yorker artists. What's in your library?

Cartoonist Chris Jensen is new to the blog today. Can't say I know much about him.