Singh, Jeff :: Milton Caniff Terry and the Pirates

Terry and the Pirates June 21, 1939 by Milton Caniff

Artist: Milton Caniff (All)

22 Comments - 5,020 Views - 4 Likes

Terry and the Pirates June 21, 1939 by Milton Caniff Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Terry and the Pirates June 21, 1939 by Milton Caniff
Artist:	Milton Caniff (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Comic Strip
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	5,020
Likes on CAF:	4 5
Comments:	22
Added to Site:	11/21/2015
Comic Art Archive:

Description

I like Milton Caniff. I really like his art. I like Terry and the Pirates. I really like Terry and Pirates. In case you have not noticed, I am a big fan of the Dragonlady as you can see from my commission gallery. I have read the Terry story-line twice thanks to IDW's brilliant re-printings of the strips. Hands down, my favorite story-line is the one where Terry rescues the Dragonlady after she is shot and hides her. In return she teaches Terry to dance so he can impress April Kane at the big ball. Of course she has other motives we do not learn about until later but it was a chance to see a different side of the most famous villainess of the golden age of comics.. In addition to dancing lessons, she gives Terry advice on women which gives us a peek into the girl behind the Dragonlady persona. It is a great story and a favorite among many collectors. This scene is such a favorite of mine, I have had commissioned several recreations of it. I never thought I would find a daily from this run but it has been on my want list since I first read Terry. This is a near-grail piece for me and among my top three favorites in my entire collection. (Herge and Sienkiewicz Shanna pin-up in case you were wondering)

Here is one of the strips where they are dancing. This one is at the ball and it is the only one with Terry and the Dragonlady dancing at the ball. The ball scene lasts only for about a week and there are only a few with actual dancing scenes. There are only 3 other dailies and one Sunday that have the pair dancing in lessons leading up to this moment. This is it, the daily to have from this series. There are other good ones but I am so happy about this one.

The dialogue from this whole series in fantastic. This one is particularly fun and insightful into 1939 sensibilities. It was signed and dedicated by Caniff when the former owner visited with Caniff in his studio.

There is an interesting story behind how I found this art and it has led to a new friendship with someone who collects what I collect and would understand most of the art on my walls and in my collection. Finally! As for the story, perhaps a future CFA-APA article or something to recount over a beer or two at a convention.

When, I went to pick it up. All went well until it was removed from the frame with which it shared space with 2 other Terrys for about 10 years. Once out of frame, it became apparent that the framer had used glue or 2 sided tape to put the pieces together. We could not separate them. The framer was near by and open so we took it back to them but they were not able to separate them either. It later went on to a paper conservator and restoration expert to have them separated. I was able to get the glue off once they were separated. This delayed the final pick up of the art 2 weeks but well worth the wait. I have updated pictures and added some panel details.

As another public service announcement to the collecting community, please get your art framed properly. Paying for a professional job does not mean it will be done right. Ask about the materials and process they use. Ask about reversibility and archival qualities of tape, glue, corners, etc... they use. Get UV protected museum glass when you can. You are the caretaker of the art and the art should be in as good or better condition(restored) when it leaves you possession as it was when it came to you. You owe it to future generations of art admirers to take proper care of the art.

I'll add a better scan of the original when I finally have it back in hand.

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About the Owner

	Jeff Singh ( 7 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	November 2004
Last Login:	September 2025
Website:	http://www.art4comics.com
Country:	CANADA
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Jeff's Classifieds Jeff's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF Read More About JeffSingh

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Comments on this Artwork

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Suat Tong Ng
Member Since 2009

Posted on 11/21/2015

A sad story about glue but congrats on the new-old Dragon Lady.

Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003

Posted on 11/21/2015

Congratulations Jeff! Be sure to savor the feeling of this acquisition - journal it if you can - and then share it some day...!

David K
Member Since 2008

Posted on 11/21/2015

Huge congrats Jeff!!! Hope the separations go well and hope to see it all framed up.

P. Portillo
Member Since 2006

Posted on 11/22/2015

Congratulations Jeff! I know how much you love this scen, and seen the recreation you comissioned from Bernet. This piece is just the perfection. Enjoy it.

Eric E
Member Since 2006

Posted on 11/22/2015

Splendid strip !

Oystein Sorensen
Member Since 2005

Posted on 11/22/2015

Splendid strip with a charming lady. Caniff could do no wrong in 1939. Congratulations!

Sean Clarke
Member Since 2005

Posted on 11/22/2015

Just wonderful, really tremendous! Love the strip, love the back story. It's a welcome reminder that some really nice art and friendships can result from our nutty hobby. I've said it before (maybe in your gallery!), and I'm bound to say it again: It's true that every time a comic art collector acquires a long sought grail, you hear a bell, and an angel gets his wings.

Thomas Vanderstappen
Member Since 2005

Posted on 11/22/2015

Epic!

Rob Stolzer
Member Since 2004

Posted on 11/22/2015

A simply tremendous strips from one of Caniff's very best story arcs. Big congratulations to you, Jeff. I'm glad that the piece wound up in the right collection. And I would echo your words about proper care-taking 100%!

Eric F
Member Since 2009

Posted on 11/22/2015

What a beautiful strip. Fingers crossed for the glue.

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 11/22/2015

Awesome!!!

Aaron N.
Member Since 2009

Posted on 11/22/2015

There is nothing better than relationship advice from the Dragon Lady!

Ben Friedman
Member Since 2006

Posted on 11/22/2015

Terry and the Pirates rocks. Like you, I have read and re-read the strips. Congrats on a great pickup. Hopefully you got a discount on the art that you can use towards the restoration!

DC's Showcase
Member Since 2006

Posted on 11/22/2015

Wow. I am impressed by your patience, which clearly paid off: this was worth the wait! Love the last two panels especially.

CHRIS OLIVERIA
Member Since 2011

Posted on 11/22/2015

Great strip, great dialogue......congratulations Jeff!

Chris K.
Member Since 2008

Posted on 11/22/2015

Absolutely as good as it gets, Jeff...no surprise to see this in your collection. It belongs there!

Max C
Member Since 2004

Posted on 11/23/2015

Tremendous piece, Jeff. It really belongs to your collection. You can stop collecting from now on and leave us mortals some nice pieces to frame to our walls :)

Thomas Ward
Member Since 2004

Posted on 11/25/2015

Like Max said, can you leave some nice dailies for the rest of us mere mortals? Come on Jeff! :P Major congrats my friend!

Thomas Ward
Member Since 2004

Posted on 11/25/2015

Like Max said, can you leave some nice dailies for the rest of us mere mortals? Come on Jeff! :P Major congrats my friend!

Bob Kopman
Member Since 2007

Posted on 12/9/2015

Great description Jeff. Always interesting to get context and insight into a new art purchase. Thanks for sharing and I'm glad you got a piece that means so much to you.

Rub�n DaCollector's Paperback Art
Member Since 2005

Posted on 12/9/2015

Congratulations on getting it safely separated. It's a great looking daily and I really look forward to the day I can see it up close!

Fabio C.
Member Since 2005

Posted on 7/12/2016

terrific strip, Caniff is one of the greatest!

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