Member Since July 2003
1333 Artworks | Watched by 93

Raymond, Alex - Back Seat Driver

Location: Raymond, Alex
Artist: Alex Raymond (All)

Location: Raymond, Alex
Title: Raymond, Alex - Back Seat Driver*
Artist: Alex Raymond (All)
Media Type: Pen and Ink
Art Type: Other
For Sale Status: NFS
Views: 5993
Likes on CAF: 20
Favorited on CAF: 7
Comments: 50
Added to Site: 10/18/2007

This is an original I've wanted to own ever since I learned of its existence. I sold an awful lot of artwork I love in order to be able to afford this piece, but it is well worth it. I have admired Alex Raymond's artwork since I was 5 years old, and just struggling to learn to read. I have grown to like many other artists, but Raymond is still the one that I have my first and deepest admiration for. This original is GIGANTIC. It has a 22"x 20" image area. Those familar with the size of Raymond's 1935 FLASH GORDON Sunday pages would do well to suspect that Raymond used the same size board to draw this image. Raymond did several fairly large originals, but this one has the nicest image of a Raymond female that I have seen in any of his illustration work. This originally was published in December 1935 as the cover design for The Saturday Home magazine (weekend supplement) of the NEW YORK JOURNAL. This piece was my #1 want in Raymond's Illustration art. There is still a Flash Gordon Sunday I like even better, but having this in my home is truly like a dream come true! I purchased this original from from David Pardee in September 2007.

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Member Since: July 2003
Last Login: July 2026
Country: CANADA
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Benno Rothschild Member Since 2003

Posted On 10/18/2007

Its a beauty Ray! Do I see the topic of your next apa article before my eyes? Congrats. Benno

Ruben E Member Since 2003

Posted On 10/18/2007

That's a damned fine piece of art there Ray, congrats. Pretty eerie too considering how Raymond died.

Peter Sullivan Member Since 2006

Posted On 3/12/2022

Ruben E wrote:

" That's a damned fine piece of art there Ray, congrats. Pretty eerie too considering how Raymond died. "

Thats what happens when you draw at the wheel. Forgive me. What a sad way he died. On a selfish note, think of the work the world missed out on..

Ray Cuthbert Member Since 2003

Posted On 10/18/2007

Indeed you do Benno! Believe it or not Don Mangus already mentioned this in a previous mailing when he was describing the exquisite brush work that he saw up close while handling this original for Heritage Auctions.

Kevin Warzecha Member Since 2006

Posted On 10/18/2007

Even if you felt a tug letting go of that other art in order to acquire this one, I think you did well. The flow of the wind, unseen, but so apparent in this piece is extraordinary!

Rob Pistella Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator

Posted On 10/18/2007

Fantastic pick up Ray, a great addition to an already great collection--this piece is so memorable, haunting, beautiful...I agree I've never seen a better Raymond girl!

John Stuart Member Since 2005

Posted On 10/18/2007

Incredible, superb, magnificent, - a true Grail. Congratulations John

Brian Peck Member Since 2003

Posted On 10/19/2007

One of the finest pieces I have seen by Alex. Congratulations on a fabulous acquisition!

Richard Martines Member Since 2004

Posted On 10/19/2007

I can feel your happiness over this acquisition from thousands of miles away. Ray, this piece must be magnificent to see in person, and hopefully one day after I am retired, I will make my way to the Great North to see this in person. Congratulations my friend.

Sean Clarke Member Since 2005

Posted On 10/19/2007

This would be an amazing and powerful piece if I hadn't just read the Stan Drake/Alex Raymond account a few months ago. No pun intended, believe me... but this is incredibly moving on so many levels. Really outstanding pick-up, Ray... congrats, and thanks for sharing!

Max C Member Since 2004

Posted On 10/19/2007

I am speechless, this is outstanding !

John Yon Member Since 2006

Posted On 10/19/2007

The brushwork on this is exceptional...there's also a real soft sensibility to it. It's great that you were able to finally acquire this. Art days like this are truly wonderful...it's what this hobby is all about.

Scotty Moore Member Since 2004

Posted On 10/19/2007

Both beautiful and morbid...a haunting juxtaposition. Congratulations!

Danny Tran Member Since 2006

Posted On 10/19/2007

I had discover Alex Raymond through reading an interview of Moebius(my absolute hero).Moebius adored Raymond's work and he would often mention about Raymond's brush works.This INCREDIBLE piece is a perfect example of what Moebius was talking about(and of course his work on Flash Gordon).EXTRAORDINARY!!!.

Tim Easterday Member Since 2007

Posted On 10/20/2007

Ray, this is just beautiful! Congratulations! I've always had a slight personal preference for Raymond's illustration art over his strip art and this is one of the best examples I've ever seen. I just love the incredible feeling of movement and speed that was conveyed through the lush rendering and deceptively simple, yet innovative, composition. I personally wish we could see the reaper's "face" but that's just me. Absolutely outstanding!

Brian Monroe Member Since 2004

Posted On 10/20/2007

an absolute master of the brush. the only one i can think of who is better than alex with a brush is frazetta.

Lance Suarez Member Since 2004

Posted On 10/28/2007

It looks great Ray and well worth all the hard work you did to get it! Fantastic!!!

Doctor Feelgood Member Since 2007

Posted On 10/28/2007

A beautiful piece by a phenomenal artist. Thanks from France to sharing.

Matt S Member Since 2006

Posted On 1/18/2008

let me be #55 (or whatever) to say how incredible this is. absolutely stunning work here. those old illustrators still putting the new kids to shame! lol

Icon UK Member Since 2005

Posted On 3/5/2008

An absolutely beautiful piece!

Mike Shields Member Since 2005

Posted On 5/3/2008

I saw a photo of this original probably over 20 years ago and it knocked me out. it still does.

Terry Doyle Member Since 2004

Posted On 7/20/2008

Tremendous! Assuming you have this framed and on display at home, I bet it's a real conversation piece!!

Roger K. Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator

Posted On 4/1/2011

Peppered throughout CAF are these little gems, pieces of majesty and history, that are far more deserving of our attention than the fetish shots that oversaturate the site. This is one such gem... breathtaking... significant... priceless.

Dave Ruth Member Since 2009

Posted On 10/6/2011

Ray, Thanks for sharing. This is what this hobby is about, on so many levels. A grail hunt, a piece of art that is special , for many reasons. Pages like this stand the test of time, and are true classics. As I look at the daily posts, I'm not sure I see many that folks will admire in seventy years. This made my day.

Andy Robbins Member Since 2003

Posted On 10/13/2011

The beauty of CAF is someone can run into this piece four years later and be amazed like it was put up yesterday. Great piece, and big time congrats on landing something you've wanted for so long.

Peter P Member Since 2009

Posted On 11/7/2011

Just gorgeous! :)

Olivier D Member Since 2006

Posted On 11/11/2011

My goodness, I only checked 2 arts of your gallery and stumble on 2 I missed at the time! This art is one of my biggest regret, again please let me know if you ever need or want to trade/sale. Thanks a lot!

LEN CALLO Member Since 2004

Posted On 11/29/2011

Mindblower!

tom horvitz Member Since 2009

Posted On 6/26/2012

Hey, I used to own thi...NOT!!! If I had ever owned it, I never would have sold it. Ray, you have an incredible Raymond.

Ray Cuthbert Member Since 2003

Posted On 6/26/2012

tom horvitz wrote:

" Hey, I used to own thi...NOT!!! If I had ever owned it, I never would have sold it. Ray, you have an incredible Raymond. "

Thanks Tom. That's quite a compliment from a source I respect!

Suat Tong Ng Member Since 2009

Posted On 7/7/2012

Well, the brushwork is pretty gorgeous and I'm sure much better in the "flesh".

Frank L Member Since 2008

Posted On 7/10/2012

Simply amazing. Raymond's art still holds up after all these years. Fantastic!

Aaron N. Member Since 2009

Posted On 12/13/2012

Holy Heck! Somehow I've never seen this. Unbelievable.

Ben Friedman Member Since 2006

Posted On 1/4/2014

Can't believe I never commented on this piece, as I have come to look at it many times! Gorgeous -- one of the best pieces of art on CAF.

George Hagenauer Member Since 2005

Posted On 6/6/2015

An Amazing piece of art done during the first serious round of traffic safety promotions though Raymond did it way better than all the others!

Mark Howland Member Since 2004

Posted On 9/11/2015

I can certainly see why you "sold an awful lot of artwork" for this exceedingly cool piece.

Frederic Lorge Member Since 2007

Posted On 9/8/2018

Mesmerizing

Jason K Member Since 2018

Posted On 12/3/2018

Wow. This is great!

Earl Hamilton Member Since 2009

Posted On 1/15/2019

THIS IS MIND BLOWING!!! At FIRST Glance I thought it was WRIGHTSON! WHAT A PIECE!

LB Jefferies Member Since 2003

Posted On 2/25/2019

If you're going to own a representative Raymond piece, this is the one. What a stunner. Congratulations.

Ray Cuthbert Member Since 2003

Posted On 2/25/2019

LB Jefferies wrote:

" If you're going to own a representative Raymond piece, this is the one. What a stunner. Congratulations.
"

Thanks! I love it!

M,B The collector Member Since 2008

Posted On 5/1/2019

Wooooooooooooooooow Preciosa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

M,B The collector Member Since 2008

Posted On 5/1/2019

Wooooooooooooooooow Preciosa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jonathan Mueller Member Since 2005

Posted On 5/1/2019

Gorgeous piece! Congrats, and thanks for sharing!

Bill J Member Since 2009

Posted On 8/25/2020

Jaw-droppingly amazing! The imagery is astounding and the brushwork sublime! Thanks for sharing!

ilia georgiev Member Since 2006

Posted On 12/14/2021

Raymond is one of my all time favorites. The lines and brush work are amazing. The patience and time to execute this is amazing.

Congrats on getting one of your grails.

Bob Goerder Member Since 2004

Posted On 2/10/2022

AMAZING!!

Lee Harmon Member Since 2020

Posted On 7/2/2023

What a tremendous example of Raymond's work. I was not on CAF at the time you originally posted this gem. So glad that Bill Cox has the "Featured Premium Art" section on the home page. This came up today and completely mesmerized me.

I know it must have been difficult parting with other artwork to obtain this. Time has shown that to have been a great decision then and even more so now!

Earl Hamilton Member Since 2009

Posted On 1/25/2024

SUCH A GREAT PIECE! THE LINE WORK! I LOOK AT THIS OFTEN AND JUST PONDER... WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!??

Peter Roe Member Since 2009

Posted On 11/10/2024

Amazing! And eerie given how he died!

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Raymond, Alex - Back Seat Driver

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