"Cover Story: The New Yorker in Westport"

On January 26, I visited the Westport Historical Society for the opening of two exhibits highlighting the area's connections with the New Yorker magazine. The show in the Mollie Donovan Gallery is called "Can't Tell a Book by Its Cover." The book in question is the New Yorker's issue of August 31, 1946. The magazine's cover by Charles E. Martin depicted a lively summer park scene. There was nothing to indicate that inside the issue the entire magazine was given over to a single article for the only time in its history. It was Hiroshima by John Hersey, a report on the terrible impact of the first atomic bomb dropped on Japan, and one of the most important pieces ever published in the magazine. Hersey moved to Westport soon after its publication. The exhibit is curated by Brian O'Leary.

Charles E. Martin,The New Yorker, August 31, 1946 The issue's sole editorial content is John Hersey's Hiroshima.

By far the larger exhibit is"Cover Story: The New Yorker in Westport,"an examination of the region's extraordinary attraction for a number of talented and prolific New Yorker cover artists. James Geraghty was hired by the magazine initially as an "idea man" in 1939. He went on to serve as the New Yorker's art editor from 1939 to 1973. Encouraged by Perry Barlow and Dorothy Hope Smith, James and Eva Geraghty relocated to Westport, Connecticut and began a family. Later, in turn, Geraghty introduced many of the magazine's artists to the Westport-Weston community.

Albert Hubbell,The New Yorker, August 20, 1973

Compo Beach, Westport, CT, July 3, 2013 Westport News http://www.westport-news.com/news/article/Westport-s-Independence-Day-holiday-begins-with-a-4646623.php#photo-4876819

No fewer than 17 New Yorker artist came to live or spend weekends in the Westport and Weston area and collectively they were responsible for an extraordinary 767 covers through the years up to 1989. This remarkable statistic was discovered by exhibit curator Eve Potts. The artists are Charles Addams, Perry Barlow, Whitney Darrow, Jr., James Daugherty, Edna Eicke, Arthur Getz, Alice Harvey, Helen E. Hokinson, Albert Hubbell, Lee Lorenz, Reginald Massie, John Norment, David Preston, Garrett Price, Donald Reilly, Mischa Richter, and Charles Saxon. Reproductions of many of their covers are on display in the Scheffer Gallery. There are also a few examples of original art. The descendants of Mr. Geraghty and of some of the artists were involved in the creation of this show, and we even some get to enjoy some rarely-seen Geraghty family photos.

The exhibition focusses on cover art and not on cartoons. This drawing by Whitney Darrow, Jr. is not part of the show and it was obviously not created for the New Yorker but rather for a local branch of the Red Cross. I include it here to serve as an example of the kinds of ties to the community the New Yorker's artists were to develop.

Whitney Darrow, Jr.,"Congratulations, Mr. Hinton, and welcome to Westport." American Red Cross, Westport, CT http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/20282172_new-yorker-cartoonist-whitney-darrow-and-saxon-lot

"Cover Story:  The New Yorker in Westport" and "Can't Tell a Book by Its Cover..." exhibition banner

The Westport Historical Society, January 26, 2014

George Hand Wright,City Slickers, early 1920's Collection of Edward F. Gerber, President of the Westport Historical Society

Introductory remarks in the Scheffer Gallery

Members of the Geraghty family

Descendants of some of the artists and of Mr. Geraghty

John Norment, Original cover art for the New Yorker, January 28, 1980 Gouache and ink on paper Framed alongside the published cover Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection #1121

Garrett Price, Preliminary cover art for the New Yorker, February 6, 1954 Ink wash and watercolor on paper Framed alongside the published cover Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection #1121

 Just look at how Arthur Getz's original cover artwork retains its vibrant colors after 55 years!

Arthur Getz, Weekend Painters Packing Car, Original cover art for the New Yorker, August 30, 1958 Private Collection

Arthur Getz, The New Yorker, August 30, 1958

Sorry, but I couldn't keep the reflections of the opening reception out of this photograph of framed original cover artwork by Arthur Getz. You'll just have to go and see it for yourself. It's on view through Sunday April 27.

Arthur Getz, Weekenders Goodbye, Original cover art for the New Yorker, September 1, 1962 Private Collection

Arthur Getz, The New Yorker, September 1, 1962

Note: The website of the Westport Historical Society is here.

Michael Maslin looks at some photographs from the exhibit on Ink Spillhere.

Arthur Getz produced more covers for the magazine than any other artist. A few of my blog posts appear here.

Albert Hubbell appears here in this blog post.

My favorite cartoon by John Norment is one of my favorite cartoons by anyone. It appears in a Valentine's Day post here.

Garrett Price was mentioned on Attempted Bloggeryhere.

Did James Geraghty's retirement result in the New Yorker running two very similar gags in the magazine? I have no idea, but see for yourself what happened when Three Cartoonists Walk Into a Bar here.