$3,525
George Herriman (American, 1880-1944) The Thrilling Saw/A Krazy Kat Cartoon Signed "Herriman" l. c., partial label and dated "Oct. 31, 1920" on the reverse. Pen and ink on paper, 21 3/4 x 18 in. (55.2 x 45.7 cm), unframed. Condition: Tears to margins, soiling, handling marks. Provenance: Descended within the artist's family. N.B. Whether one views the strip on its purely artistic and humorous merits, is riveted by the absurd misunderstandings that keep the strange love triangle between Krazy, Ignatz, and Pupp interesting, or perceives it as a social commentary about race and gender, the appeal of the Krazy Kat strip is undeniable, as evidenced by its 30 year run. The strip began in 1913 (although Herriman had introduced several of the characters into previous strips) and ran until his death in 1944. Through the years Krazy Kat speaks in a jumbled jargon composed of Yiddish slang and Tex-Mex dialect, as he constantly seeks the affections of Ignatz Mouse. Ignatz expresses his feelings by periodically throwing bricks at Krazy's head. Meanwhile Offissa Bull Pupp periodically uses his billy club to protect his object of affection, Krazy, from the projectile-throwing mouse. All of this happens before the backdrop of a fictitious urban desert city set in Coconino County, filled with native and immigrant characters of various social classes, all of whom stumble through the changing world of the 20th century.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2005-09-16
