Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Jack Davis draws Groucho Marx


In early 1965, BLUEBOOK magazine obtained the rights to reprint a chapter ("The Unnatural History of love") from Groucho Marx's 1963 sexual memoir MEMOIRS of a MANGY LOVER. They hired the great Jack Davis to create a wonderful B&W illustration of Groucho sitting atop a sick world, observing couples making out throughout history. Jack channeled his amazing panoramic movie poster and LP illustrations for "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" two years earlier.

 This piece of art was new to me and as far as I know has never been reprinted. It's from the collection of Bill Leach who also owns the Davis original art. My thanks to Bill for sharing it all!

Groucho taking notes, close up detail of the illustration

page one of the spread

page two

the entire magazine spread


the original art (click to enlarge)


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