46

Ludwig Bemelmans

(1898-1962)

Silly Willy: "To succeed in my profession..." Circa 1935.

Mixed media on board.
Signed "Bemelmans" in final panel; Initialed in third panel.

Publication:
Comic strip published Young America magazine for approximately two years, beginning in 1935.
9 x 21 1/2 in. (22.9 x 54.6 cm.), Frame: 15 x 27 1/2 in. (38.1 x 69.9 cm.)

  • Provenance:
    Private collection, Washington D.C.

    Further information:
    Ludwig Bemelmans's "Silly Willy" is an example of his early exploration of visual storytelling through the medium of comic strips. Running weekly in Young America magazine for two years, beginning on March 8, 1935, the strip followed the whimsical adventures of a trained seal. Narrated through playful rhymed couplets, "Silly Willy" revealed Bemelmans's early interest in blending image and verse, a technique he would later refine to great success in his Madeline books. The strip is an important precursor to his later work, showcasing both his developing narrative style and his distinctive sense of humor.
  • Condition:
    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

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December 4, 2025 12:00 PM EST
New York, NY, US

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