Rare, Early CLIFF STERRETT Sports Cartoon - Circa 1910 - The Earliest Sterrett Original?

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Artwork Details

Title:	Rare, Early CLIFF STERRETT Sports Cartoon - Circa 1910 - The Earliest Sterrett Original?
Artist:	Cliff Sterrett (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Illustration
For Sale Status:	FS - $850.00 + Shipping
Views:	1,534
Likes on CAF:	0 1
Comments:	0
Added to Site:	2/10/2019
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Description

I'm very pleased to offer what might be the earliest known Cliff Sterrett drawing in private hands. In terms of historical context, Sterrett did spot cartoon work for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle in 1909 and 1910. I researched that era to see if there was a baseball team in Rochester at that time, and found that the Rochester Bronchos were managed by player-manager John Ganzel (1874-1959) in 1910. Ganzel had a ten-year Major League Baseball career, and while he was a fairly average player, he does hold the distinction of hitting the first home run for the NY Yankees in 1903. I'm not entirely sure if the Ganzelle Bird was a mascot used by Sterrett during the 1910 season, or if it was just a one-off drawing, but it certainly appears to tie-in the manager of the Bronchos. And it remains the earliest Sterrett that I have seen in over 35 years of collecting.

It's interesting to note that some of Sterrett's forms are rounding into shape in this drawing. You can see some of the bold lines and shapes that we all would come to love in his Sterrett’s classic Polly and Her Pals. The clouds and flowers particularly evoke some of the abstract shapes and symbols that Sterrett would become so well known for. And the inking on the Ganzelle Bird is just tremendous. Bold and rich. The piece measures 9¼”x7½”, and is in very nice condition. The board is lightly toned, and there is a small closed tear at the top, repaired with linen tape on the verso, that does not enter into the image area. $850.00 + 17.00 Priority shipping + full insurance.

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About the Owner

	Rob Stolzer Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	September 2004
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	robart
Website:	https://freeassociationfunnies.com/
Country:	UNITED STATES
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