Lot 755

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Description:

(1921 – 2003) American editorial cartoonist who won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work. He was most famous for his World War II cartoons depicting American soldiers, as represented by the archetypal characters Willie and Joe, two weary and bedraggled infantry troopers who stoically endure the difficulties and dangers of duty in the field. Original wartime ink drawing of his famous G.I. "Joe" showing the grizzled, bearded soldier half-length and lighting a cigarette with his rifle slung on his back. The black ink drawing was executed on a 6" x 5 1/2" irregularly-cut piece of paper with pencil newspaper printer's notation at bottom: "1 col[umn] (Reverse)". Matted. This drawing, executed by Mauldin while in Italy and drawing for Stars and Stripes, was apparently used to head a column in the paper. It was obtained by his colleague on the paper, fellow artist ED VEBELL (1921-2018), who also struck up a friendship with the controversial Mauldin. Mauldin gave Vebell this drawing in Italy at the time of publication in 1944, and it emanates directly from Vebell's estate. Accompanied by two period printings of some of Mauldin's cartoons, including "This Damn Tree Leaks" (Italy: Stars & Stripes), 1945. 118pp. 8vo. in cardboard covers. Cover corners chipped, owner's name penned on front cover; with "Mud, Mules, and Mountains" (Italy: Stars & Stripes), 1944. Approx. 100pp. 8vo., foreword by Ernie Pyle. Pages clean, binding tight, covers chipped with owner's name, some pages bear small tears at margin. "In 1944, after being praised by Ernie Pyle, Bill Mauldin's cartoons were syndicated in the United States. This effort was supported by the War Department due to Mauldin's grimmer depiction of everyday military life in his cartoons. Mauldin's cartoons not only publicized the efforts of the ground forces, but they made the war appear bitter and onerous, helping convince Americans that victory would not be easy. While his cartoons omitted carnage, they showed the difficulty of war through his depiction of the soldiers' disheveled appearance, and sad, vacant eyes. This helped produce continued support for the troops, by conveying the hardships of their daily experiences."

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July 30, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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