E. Simms Campbell Paintings & Artwork for Sale | E. Simms Campbell Art Value Price Guide

Oct. 30, 2024
Playboy Archive | Elmer Simms Campbell (American, 1906-1971)
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
"Just go up on the roof and mind the reindeer until I come...and the whole sack belongs to you, sonny." Watercolor on Playboy stamped annotated illustration board, signed lower right. Handwritten caption below the artwork. Run date uncertain.
Julien's Auctions
Oct. 30, 2024
Playboy Archive | Elmer Simms Campbell (American, 1906-1971)
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
"He's never satisfied! Now he wants her gift wrapped!" Watercolor and gouache on Playboy stamped annotated illustration board. Handwritten caption below the artwork. Run date December 1962.
Julien's Auctions
Dec. 14, 2023
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL "Cuties Daily Comic Strip."
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
` E. SIMMS CAMPBELL "Cuties Daily Comic Strip." Group of four original single-panel cartoons created for the King Features Syndicate, 1947-1951. Mixed media on bristol board. All sheets: 343x279 mm; 13 1/2x11 inches. 1) "For once you're right about my cooking, darling. It IS wet sawdust!" Signed and dated in lower left image, 7-18. 2) "Hurry up, darling . . . we're late now. You women and your faces are just like a bed! Tear it down, make it up . . . tear it down, make it up!" Signed and dated in lower right image, 4-26. Dated on verso, May 14, 1948. 3) "But darling, I didn't know it was your mother! I thought it was a rubber hippopotamus!" Signed and dated in lower right image, 10-4. Dated September 13, 1949 on verso. 5) "Everything operates around here with buttons . . . except my shirts!" Signed and dated lower right image, 7-27. Dated July 9, 1951 on verso.
Swann Auction Galleries
Aug. 23, 2015
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL COMPUTER ILLUSTRATION
Est: $50 - $1,000
CAMPBELL, E. Simms, (American, 1906-1971): ''It Just Asked Me What I Was Doing This Evening!'', Illustration, Pen/Ink/Watercolor, sight size 10 1/2'' x 10'', signed lower right, dated 1968, framed, 17'' x 16 1/2''.
Burchard Galleries Inc
May. 17, 2015
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL COMPUTER ILLUSTRATION
Est: $400 - $600
CAMPBELL, E. Simms, (American, 1906-1971): "It Just Asked Me What I Was Doing This Evening!", Illustration, Pen/Ink/Watercolor, sight size 10 1/2" x 10", signed lower right, dated 1968, framed 17" x 16 1/2".
Burchard Galleries Inc
Aug. 14, 2014
Nightclub Map of Harlem by E. Simms Campbell, a classic rarity
Est: $5,000 - $8,000
Manhattan / A Weekly for Wakeful New Yorkers, No.1 Vol. 1, January 18, 1933 (NY,1933) First and only printing. 16 pp.,12 x 16”, unfolding to 16 x 24 “. Centerfold by E.Simms Campbell, “A Night-Club Map of Harlem”, dated 1932 in the print.
PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers
Aug. 14, 2014
Collection of the magazine art of first nationally-prominent Black cartoonist E. Simms Campbell.
Est: $200 - $300
Campbell, E. Simms. Collection of his magazine art. Includes: a full issue of Life magazine, August 14, 1931, with one of his earliest cartoons on Page 19; 4 pages of Campbell cartoons removed from the August and December 1938 and September 1939 issues of Esquire; the full Esquire issue of April 1938, for which Campbell both wrote and illustrated a 4-page article about his trip to Haiti with a 3-page color “Portfolio of Haitian Sketches”.
PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers
Oct. 24, 2013
1938-39 Black Cartoonist's First Black Themes - within the pages of Esquire magazine
Est: $100 - $150
Includes: 4 pages of Campbell cartoons removed from the August and December 1938 and September 1939 issues of Esquire; and the full Esquire issue of April 1938, for which Campbell both wrote and illustrated a 4-page article about his trip to Haiti, with an additional 3 pages of color illustrations, a Portfolio of Haitian Sketches. Campbell’s front-cover illustrations for Judge and other humor magazines in the early 1930s, offered above, were probably the earliest work by an African-American artist featured in a popular national periodical. But no Black figures appeared in Campbell’s early work at a time when most national magazine illustrations still depicted Blacks in racial stereotypes. Meanwhile, Campbell’s career took off when, in 1933, he began a 25 year association with the new Esquire magazine, for which he created its pop-eyed cover mascot. While Campbell, throughout the Depression era, had close ties to Harlem Renaissance culture – illustrating a novel about Haiti by Anna Bontemps and Langston Hughes, a book of poetry by Sterling Brown, brochures for the Cotton Club, and a spectacular “Nightclub Map of Harlem” - not until 1938 did he begin to incorporate Black figures and themes into his own general magazine work. Of the four Esquire pages in this group, two are merely humorous and whimsical, but the third depicts Harlem street scenes to accompany the Sterling Brown poem “Glory, Glory”, and the fourth is a striking portrait of a Black music club. The illustrated Haiti article may be his first (and only) stab at illustrating his own words. Campbell’s front-cover illustrations for Judge and other humor magazines in the early 1930s, offered above, were probably the earliest work by an African-American artist featured in a popular national periodical. But no Black figures appeared in Campbell’s early work at a time when most national magazine illustrations still depicted Blacks in racial stereotypes. Meanwhile, Campbell’s career took off when, in 1933, he began a 25 year association with the new Esquire magazine, for which he created its pop-eyed cover mascot. While Campbell, throughout the Depression era, had close ties to Harlem Renaissance culture – illustrating a novel about Haiti by Anna Bontemps and Langston Hughes, a book of poetry by Sterling Brown, brochures for the Cotton Club, and a spectacular “Nightclub Map of Harlem” - not until 1938 did he begin to incorporate Black figures and themes into his own general magazine work. Of the four Esquire pages in this group, two are merely humorous and whimsical, but the third depicts Harlem street scenes to accompany the Sterling Brown poem “Glory, Glory”, and the fourth is a striking portrait of a Black music club. The illustrated Haiti article may be his first (and only) stab at illustrating his own words.
PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers
Dec. 08, 2010
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL
Est: $400 - $600
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL Wow...let's toss her..., March 1962, p. 61 Watercolor on board, signed 13 x 17 in. (33 x 43 cm.)
Christie's
Dec. 08, 2010
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL
Est: $400 - $600
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL You're my best friend's wife, October 1961, p. 76 Watercolor on board, signed 13 x 17 in. (33 x 43 cm.)
Christie's
Dec. 08, 2010
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL
Est: $400 - $600
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL My Wife!, April 1961, p. 139 Watercolor on board, signed 13 x 17 in. (33 x 43 cm.)
Christie's
Dec. 08, 2010
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL
Est: $400 - $600
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL You...and your flaming gourmet dishes!, July 1961, p. 71 Watercolor on board, signed 13 x 17 in. (33 x 43 cm.)
Christie's
Dec. 08, 2010
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL
Est: $400 - $600
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL I'm terribly sorry, your Majesty..., January 11962, p. 141 Watercolor on board, signed 13 x 17 in. (33 x 43 cm.)
Christie's
Mar. 03, 2010
ELMER SIMMS CAMPBELL
Est: $6,000 - $9,000
1906-1971 LEVEE FRONT STOMP signed E Simms Campbell NY , l.r.; signed Simms Campbell and titled on the reverse watercolor on board, heightened with white board: 15 by 11 in.; 38.1 by 28 cm. image: 11 5/8 by 8 1/4 in.; 29.5 by 21 cm.
Sotheby's
Sep. 24, 2009
Campbell, E. Simms
Est: CHF300 - CHF400
Campbell, E. Simms (1906 St. Louis - White Plains, N.Y. 1971). Charcoal on paper, signed lower right corner: E. Simms Campbell, beneath description with typewriter. 29,5 x 20,8 Campbell, E. Simms (1906 St. Louis - White Plains, N.Y. 1971). Ein Paar Modekarikaturen. Kohle auf Papier, rechts unten signiert: E. Simms Campbell, darunter mit Schreibmaschine beschrieben. 29,5 x 20,8 Simms Campbell zeichnet Karikturen für die Zeitschriften Life, Judge, College Humor , Esquire u.a. Absentee bidding only for this lot until 24th September 2009 7pm
Zürichsee Auktionen
Apr. 14, 2007
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL (AMER., 1906-71), WATERCOLOR CARTOON, 1950, 15" X 10 1/2", UNFRAMED" A cartoon for release July 1950 for King Features Syndicate (reverse side), reads "Ha, Ha, Ha, I fooled you. You thought I was out with the boys again!", signed
Est: $400 - $600
E. SIMMS CAMPBELL (AMER., 1906-71), WATERCOLOR CARTOON, 1950, 15" X 10 1/2", UNFRAMED" A cartoon for release July 1950 for King Features Syndicate (reverse side), reads "Ha, Ha, Ha, I fooled you. You thought I was out with the boys again!", signed lower left, matted, no frame.
DuMouchelles
Sep. 10, 2006
Original Comic Art E. Simms Campbell - Judge Gag Cartoon Original Art (1932). The first mainstream African-American cartoonist, E. Simms Campbell's work appeared in Judge, College Humor, and Esquire. Rendered in ink with an ink wash, this gag cartoon
Est: -
Original Comic Art E. Simms Campbell - Judge Gag Cartoon Original Art (1932). The first mainstream African-American cartoonist, E. Simms Campbell's work appeared in Judge, College Humor, and Esquire. Rendered in ink with an ink wash, this gag cartoon has an image area of 11.5 x 15. The paper is tanned, with some light soiling; otherwise the condition is Good.
Heritage Auctions
Jan. 22, 2006
[ Comic ] E. Simms Campbell - Cuties Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 5-28-70 (King Features Syndicate, 1970). Never being quite fond of his given name, premier American cartoonist and humorist, Elmer Campbell is best known by the name he signed
Est: -
[ Comic ] E. Simms Campbell - Cuties Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 5-28-70 (King Features Syndicate, 1970). Never being quite fond of his given name, premier American cartoonist and humorist, Elmer Campbell is best known by the name he signed on his illustrations -- E. Simms Campbell. Esquire magazine's art department recognized talent in this young black artist and signed E. Simms Campbell to a long term contract, ignoring public dogma. His illustrations can be seen in every issue from 1933 to 1958. He is also credited with creating Esky, the magazine's mascot. Unquestionably, his most popular character was the sexy red-head, Cutie. This panel has an image area of 9in x 10", and, aside from some slight staining around the type paste-up at the bottom, the work is in Very Good condition."
Heritage Auctions
Jan. 21, 2006
[ Original Comic Art ] Uncertified 1380852 Elmer Simms Campbell - Cuties Hand Colored Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 6-18-50 ( King Features Syndicate, 1950). E. Simms Campbell's use of gorgeous warm and cool watercolor hues adds even more
Est: -
[ Original Comic Art ] Uncertified 1380852 Elmer Simms Campbell - Cuties Hand Colored Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 6-18-50 ( King Features Syndicate, 1950). E. Simms Campbell's use of gorgeous warm and cool watercolor hues adds even more glamour to this swanky nightclub scene. Campbell was one of the first successful African- American commercial artists in America, with a career spanning from the early thirties to the late sixties. When Russell Patterson told Campbell of his own success with good girl art, he also prompted Campbell to follow his lead. Campbell created the Harem Girls , for the debut issue of Esquire magazine in 1933. Campbell's work also appeared in Cosmopolitan , New Yorker , Sunday Pictorial Review, and Ebony . This cartoon has an image area of 9.5 x 12 , and the art is in Excellent condition.
Heritage Auctions
Jan. 15, 2006
[ Comic ] "E. Simms Campbell - Cuties Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 5-18-65 (King Features Syndicate, 1965). E. Simms Campbell was the first black American cartoonist whose work appeared regularly in a mainstream national magazine. His work
Est: -
[ Comic ] "E. Simms Campbell - Cuties Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 5-18-65 (King Features Syndicate, 1965). E. Simms Campbell was the first black American cartoonist whose work appeared regularly in a mainstream national magazine. His work appeared in the monthly men's magazine Esquire , for which he designed the little Esky man who served as the magazine's logo for many years. This superb pretty girl panel has an image area of 9in x 10", and, aside from some slight yellowing to the Zipatone, the work is in Excellent condition."
Heritage Auctions
Feb. 26, 2004
Campbell, E. Simms. Just Married.
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Pen-and-ink cartoon of a pair of newlyweds opening their wedding gifts, the woman showing a surprised expression as her new husband reads the card on one of the gifts, "W-W-Whats this--'To the one and only Mable from the red caps of Grand Central Station!'" 21x10 inches; Signed on the image and with an additional copyright notice bearing Campbell's name; matted and framed. [New York], 1940
Swann Auction Galleries
Feb. 27, 2003
(ART.) CAMPBELL, E. SIMMS.
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Series of 6 camera-ready pen-and-ink comic strips for "Phantom Island," each an 8-frame strip, on sheets measuring 14x23 inches; most with portion of tissue overlay sheets with directions to the printer. New York, 1940-45 E. Simms Campbell is best remembered for his "naughty" Esquire girls. He attended New York's Art Student's League together with his good friend Romare Bearden in the 1930s. He was the first openly known Black cartoonist working for mainstream white publications in an era when segregation was still commonplace. His artwork appeared in every issue of Esquire from 1933 to 1958. Beyond his success drawing sexy young damsels for the mainstream white press, Campbell penned a number of comic strips for the consumption of a purely Black audience. Such a comic strip was "Phantom Island" which combined Captain Hook style pirates with enemy submarines, battling it out for truth, justice, and the American way.
Swann Auction Galleries
Feb. 27, 2003
(ART.) CAMPBELL, E. SIMMS. Series of 6 camera-ready pen-and-ink comic strips for "Phantom Island," each an 8-frame strip, on sheets measuring 14x23
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
(ART.) CAMPBELL, E. SIMMS. Series of 6 camera-ready pen-and-ink comic strips for "Phantom Island," each an 8-frame strip, on sheets measuring 14x23 inches; most with portion of tissue overlay sheets with directions to the printer. New York, 1940-45
Swann Auction Galleries