Cartoonist Donald Reilly'sNew Yorker original from June 3, 1974 gives us a humorous look at the pilgrims and what may or may not have been their motivations for coming to America. There is nothing humorous though about how the artwork has been treated. The drawing bears a small inscription that looks like "For Colin." Colin apparently has done a frightful job framing the work, apparently forcing it into a standard size frame and matte. Note how the matte cuts off the entire upper mast, shifting the pilgrims toward the top of the image when Donald Reilly had them so carefully centered. Even worse, when we see the art photographed out of the frame it's clear that the paper was inexcusably trimmed right into the drawn image, cutting off the uppermost areas of the top mast. Furthermore, the paper has been discolored by matte burn, a reaction with the acid in the matte.
To avoid doing irretrievable damage to original artwork, always respect the integrity of the paper and avoid trimming for convenience. Make sure that only archival, acid-free materials come into contact with the paper. Finally, avoid exposure to sunlight. Properly cared-for drawings can continue to look pristine for many decades. Most reputable framers will adhere to these basic principles.
Note: I would love to add more examples of original art by Donald Reilly or other New Yorker artists as documented in scans or photographs. So, industrious readers, scan or photograph away.
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To avoid doing irretrievable damage to original artwork, always respect the integrity of the paper and avoid trimming for convenience. Make sure that only archival, acid-free materials come into contact with the paper. Finally, avoid exposure to sunlight. Properly cared-for drawings can continue to look pristine for many decades. Most reputable framers will adhere to these basic principles.
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| Donald Reilly "Religious freedom is my immediate goal but my long-range plan is to go into real estate." Framed and matted original art. The New Yorker, June 3, 1974, page 46 Published as "Religious freedom is my immediate goal, but my long-range plan is to go into real estate." |
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| Donald Reilly "Religious freedom is my immediate goal but my long-range plan is to go into real estate." Original art removed from its frame. The New Yorker, June 3, 1974, page 46 Published as "Religious freedom is my immediate goal, but my long-range plan is to go into real estate." |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Donald Reilly "Religious freedom is my immediate goal but my long-range plan is to go into real estate." Original art. The New Yorker, June 3, 1974, page 46 Published as "Religious freedom is my immediate goal, but my long-range plan is to go into real estate." |
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| Donald Reilly's signature Inscribed "For Colin[?]" |
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| Donald Reilly eBay Listing Ended February 16, 2017 |
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| Donald Reilly eBay Item Description |
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| Donald Reilly eBay Bid History The top bidder bids twice to help assure a win. |
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| http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=1974-06-03#folio=046 |
Note: I would love to add more examples of original art by Donald Reilly or other New Yorker artists as documented in scans or photographs. So, industrious readers, scan or photograph away.
Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:
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