Featured Blinder Than A Bat

We were at a thrift shop today, and I saw a matted frame clown drawing. I did all the usual things, put it under light to see if the ink or paint shined above the paper. I turned it over and it was nailed in the frame. What I didn't notice at the time was that someone pulled half the nails out. So, I could have pulled the piece out of the frame. My wife looked at it, and thought it was real. It was $8, and with the 25% Sr discount, it was only $6.

When I got home and noticed that most of the nails were removed, I was positive that it was a cheap print. Someone had already looked, saw it wasn't real and left it. If that's what happened, they was STUPID.

This is from 1941 Gouche, titled CLOWN, Newark NJ Ringling Circus. Not only is the front original (and really cool). Look at the back. The artist is Herbert Scheffel. He has a history around NYC art scenes, and was a puppeteer in 1936 - 1937.


Thankfully I couldn't have been more wrong.

 

Isn't that something? What a good eye you have!

Debora

 

I like strange things. The clown is so weird looking, I knew I wanted it. I'm just glad it wasn't a cheap print. The back is almost cooler.

 

The clown may be identifiable. Ringling Brothers Circus. 1941.

Debora

 

I aint a big clown painting connoisseur, but miraculously, this one could be a wiener. Here's something on the painter-
https://www.askart.com/bio/Herbert_H_Scheffel/10047583/Herbert_H_Scheffel

 

The back looks like he was drawing from life, back stage or on a set up/tear down day.

 

Thursday, May 29 and Friday, May 30 are the performance dates in Newark, NJ in 1941.

Debora

 

I remember Emmett Kelly. Only clown I didn't find creepy.

 

From the internet: "In 1941, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey "Clown Alley" featured iconic performers. Notable figures included the famed Auguste comedian Lou Jacobs, Felix Adler, Charlie Bell, Harry Dann, and Frankie Saluto."

Looks the most like Charlie Bell.

Debora

 

That's true Bronwen- he didn't seem threatening.

 

All clowns have different makeup, either by tradition or by Rule (clowning has rules and no mistake) so match the makeup, find the clown.

 

George Cruikshank illustrated some of Dicken's books.Love to have this broadside/poster !

 

I am waiting to find out that the Clown head vase I bought years decades ago will be worth $$$$

 

I would have bought this painting also. That's very cool.

I have 9 or 10 little Kelly figurines. Some are perfect. Some have little chips, but they're not really noticeable. I'm looking for a Kelly fanatic to sell them to.

That does look like him.

I only look that hard for something I'm trying to sell. Whenever you sell something have as much info as possible.

Clowns can be really freaky.

The first clown I bought was a #1 print of a clown and dog (I think), it was signed and numbered. It was #1. It was also signed on the back to the Dr whose estate I bought it from. It was the last hours, and I think I paid $10. The artist was also a minor actor. He did TV in the 70s. I still have it, and have idea where it is.

 

What was the name of his clown character? Something like Sad Willie? Poor Willie?

 

Many consider the use of a Emmett Kelly mask by Sterling Hayden in Stanley Kubrick's 1956 film 'The Killing' to be the introduction of the 'scary' clown in movies and culture at large. It was subtle by todays standards, but very effective and rather frighting.

 

Great flik- Marie Windsor and Elisha Cook Jr are mighty good in it also. Marie Windsor is today known as the 'Queen of the B's' (2nd tier movies). One of her best is 'Narrow Margin' w/ Charles McGraw (he played the gladiator trainer in 'Spartacus').

 

What an interesting point. And I just learned that psychologist's have a word for the fear of clowns. Coulrophobia. Now try working that into a conversation!

Debora

 

What the hell is that thing?
It's giving me coulrophobia ....!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

A+ usage!

Debora