(ART) HARRINGTON OLIVER WENDELL OLLIE Gift of CIA

Sale 2239 - Lot 145

Unsold

Estimate: $ 6,000 - $ 8,000

(ART.) HARRINGTON, OLIVER WENDELL, "OLLIE." Gift of CIA. Ink drawing for a political cartoon, 11-3/8x9 inches (image size), appearing in The People's Daily World. Matted and framed. East Germany, circa 1988

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a rare original cartoon by this noted expatriate artist. Oliver Wendell Harrington (1912-1995) was born to interracial parents in the Bronx. He attended the National Academy of Design in 1931. His "Razzberry Salad," a panel cartoon series that satirized Harlem society began to appear in the pages of the National News in 1932. The News, backed by the Democratic party, folded after four months. But Harrington had made some solid connections and his work started appearing in the Chicago Defender, the Pittsburgh Courier and the Amsterdam News. During this period, Harrington attended art classes at New York University with his friend Romare Bearden. In 1935 he joined the staff of the Amsterdam News, where he created "Dark Laughter," later renamed "Bootsie," for the series main character. Bootsie became Harrington's signature character and lasted thirty-five years.
Over the course of time, Harrington's work had become more and more political. And in 1952, with Senator Joseph McCarthy and HUAC hearings in full fever pitch, Harrington was put on a "watch-list." This happened to coincide with a trip to France to visit with Chester Himes, and other African-American friends. Meanwhile the State Department had issued instructions to seize Harrington's passport. After a few years of travel, Harrington decided to settle in East Germany where he published his work in "The People's Weekly World." Very little original work by Harrington has ever been publically offered.