Krazy Kat George Herriman 1942 Sunday OTTUM (Autumn) Fantastic example!
Artist: George Herriman (All)
25 Comments - 425 Views - 6 Likes
Additional Images:
Herriman Ottum
Artwork Details
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DescriptionI knew Jack Gilbert, the original owner... I saw the art many times at his place in the Village, NYC. Jack had incredible art. He worked the art game 24/7 from Tokyo to SF to Europe, from his vantage point in NYC. I had bought much art from him; Jack had great taste and dedicated his life to acquiring and selling very fine comic art.I bought many Herriman pieces from him, but this was the one I wanted most. He finally agreed to sell me OTTUM in 1999 - 2000, but he never followed through... We'd make a day for me to pay and pick up and he'd cancel.... this went on for 8 years or so, believe it or not. I know, nuts. Then-- late 2000s? he had a long time coming nervous breakdown and was sent to an institution, for the rest of his life as it turned out. Some friends took possession of all his art and it all disappeared. Gone, no leaks. Finally, someone sold Ottum at auction in 2021 but I was outbid and was first underbidder... I was shocked how high the price went, much higher than what 'regular' Sundays go for. I remember my wife driving and me bidding on my phone, it was a dark cold late fall night, and I finally said, 'enough!' and lost. I congratulated the successful buyer and let him know I was underbidder, and he kindly reached out to me three years later, and NOW, 24 years after seeing it and falling in love with it, I own it. It's hard to believe! I do LOVE this example!! It's like a ballet- poetry in motion! PHEW that’s the OTTUM story!! (the art is from Nov. 22, 1942.) ps- Autumn is my favorite season! pps- Jack Gilbert made the colored matt which stayed with the art. I'll keep it, and I'm sure Jack would be very pleased to know this. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Chris K. 
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
That defines 'long, strange trip'! What a story. The piece certainly merits it.
Davide G.
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
Awesome art and incredible story, Rob, huge congrats! On a personal note, I would hardly call "friends" people who take possession of someone's art and disappear, especially if that someone is in distress :(
Rob Pistella
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator
2 - Posted on 3/25/2024
Davide G. wrote:
Awesome art and incredible story, Rob, huge congrats! On a personal note, I would hardly call "friends" people who take possession of someone's art and disappear, especially if that someone is in distress :(
Davide, yeah discussing what really went down is a story unto itself. Yes, very weird story that got crazier. Jack had no family, no heirs. He was a nut- he spoke to the art reguarly especially 'his Kats'. I believe his friends were really friends but with no heirs or family, it was a free for all!
Rob Stolzer
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
Big congrats to you, fellow Rob! That is a wonderful, wunnerful Sunday page! And yes, Jack was a nut and more. I was at his small apartment one time and it was jam-packed with stuff. But this is really an iconic page. I'm glad it wound up where it belongs.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
A wonderful story Rob, and I'm so glad it had a happy ending for you. This is exquisite. I wish you many, many, years of enjoyment.
Rob Pistella
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
E DLS wrote:
A wonderful story Rob, and I'm so glad it had a happy ending for you. This is exquisite. I wish you many, many, years of enjoyment.
Thank you my friend!! Much appreciated!
Monty B
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
Absolutely glorious KK Sunday!!! With this backstory no one was worthier than you, to become its new caretaker...I hope you'll enjoy it for many many more years to come...
John Voytek
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
Spectacular Rob! Surely a piece of art you were destined to own, and your persistence ultimately paid off. If not in your collection, then surely on a museum wall! Thank you for sharing that facinating story. Congratulations...well done!
Roger K.
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
It's like visual poetry... just glorious!
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
3 - Posted on 3/25/2024
Wow. What a story. What a great piece of art and the lesson is sell all your stuff while you can if you have no heirs. In another dimension the 'friends' would have sold the artwork and given the proceeeds to a charity he liked.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
3 - Posted on 3/25/2024
Peter Sullivan wrote:
Wow. What a story. What a great piece of art and the lesson is sell all your stuff while you can if you have no heirs. In another dimension the 'friends' would have sold the artwork and given the proceeeds to a charity he liked.
Yeah, he did some eBay, but no way he could have sold everything he collected. It's a great piece with a symmetrical design perfect for display.
Stephen F
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
Jack had a lot of Krazy Kats packed into that tiny apartment but this one was the best! Congratulations on bringing it home.
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
2 - Posted on 3/26/2024
Magical Sunday! And quite a back story... Sobering really, to be reminded that we can't take any of the art we collect with us when our time is up, and we're all a little nutty in this hobby
Rob Pistella
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator
Posted on 3/26/2024
artless artmore wrote:
Magical Sunday! And quite a back story... Sobering really, to be reminded that we can't take any of the art we collect with us when our time is up, and we're all a little nutty in this hobby
Isn't that the truth? thanks Artless!!!
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/26/2024
Rob Pistella wrote:
Isn't that the truth? thanks Artless!!!
I admit to being nuttier than a bag of nuts. Most collectors are. Raise your hands if you have, for instance, bought multiple copies to get a perfect comic or book, or, and I admit to doing this, having three or more slightly different formats of the same thing. Don't get me started on plastic coffins for comics with grades you cannot trust as you cannot examine the comic without cracking the coffin.
Ivan R
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 3/26/2024
Hey Rob, A W E S O M E art and what a story! Congrats!
Oystein Sorensen
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/26/2024
Fantastic indeed. A highlight among the Kats, Herriman at his very, very best. Many congrats!
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/26/2024
It is a bittersweet story. The art is melancholic, yet leaves you with a smile.
Tom Coker
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/26/2024
Congratulations Rob! Sometimes dreams do come true.
Ben Friedman
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/26/2024
Absolutely fantastic. Definitely worth the wait!!
Thomas Ward
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 3/28/2024
Many congrats on this acquisition! Jack was the first person I ever contacted when I got into this hobby. We never talked, but communicated via email many times. He was the one who intruduced me to Alex Raymond's Rip Kirby. He definitely loved his Krazy Kats and was sending pictures of his Rips, Cisco Kid, and of course his Kats! It was a sad ending to Jack, but I'm sure he woud be happy where this particular piece ended up at.
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