Thursday, February 22, 2018

E. Simms Campbell: Just Married

A groom on his wedding night discovers a bit more about his wife's past than he wishes to know in what is very likely a syndicated newspaper panel cartoon from the very first year of E. Simms Campbell's Cuties. As pointed out by Swann Galleries, which sold the original 1940 art in 2004 for twice the $1500 high estimate, it is actually quite unusual for this African American artist to depict an African American couple. Campbell goes out of his way to pose the bride alluringly, even as she takes in what has just happened.

E. Simms Campbell
"W-W-What's this[?]—'To the one and only Mable from the red caps of Grand Central Station!'"
Original art, 1940
Cuties[?]

E. Simms Campbell
Swann Galleries, Sale 1998, Printed & Manuscript African Americana, Lot 62
Hammer Price, February 26, 2004







Note:  Attempted Bloggery continues to examine the work of cartoonist E. Simms Campbell (1906-1971). I seek readers' scans or photos of original Campbell art or rare published works new to the internet.
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