Low, David (1891 - 1963)
Born in New Zealand and probably the greatest cartoonist of all time, Low was first attracted to caricatures and cartoons through reading British comics. Prior to moving to London in 1919, Low worked for the Sydney Bulletin in Australia. Low joined the Star, a London evening paper and then in 1927 joined the Evening Standard as its first political cartoonist. The Evening Standard’s proprietor Lord Beaverbrook had had to promise Low a unique contract giving him complete freedom in the selection and treatment of his subject matter as well as half a page for his cartoon in order to secure his services. Low created many memorable characters, including the Two-headed Ass, the TUC carthorse, and Colonel Blimp. Describing himself as ‘a nuisance dedicated to sanity’ Low was a hugely influential cartoonist and caricaturist, producing over 14,000 drawings during the course of his 50 year career. See Low and the Dictators by Timothy S. Benson.
Cartoons for sale:
- Caption Displayed
26th Sept. 1918 - £425
- 25cm x 44cm
- Sydney Bulletin
Lampost, two drunks cartoon.
- One Recruit And Another
8th July 1915 - £925
- 32cm x 48cm
- Sydney Bulletin
Prime Minister Billy Hughes tried to get David Low conscripted after he continued to ridicule him.
- KIND ENQUIRIES "Ullo, Bill, 'ow's yer 'orse." "Fine, thanks." "An' 'ow's yerself?", 1912
- £750
- 27cm x 38cm
- Sydney Bulletin
