MICHAEL HEATH - INSCRIBED ORIGINAL ART DOUBLE SIGNED - HFSID 80257

MICHAEL HEATH
Famed British cartoonist draws original sketch, signs his name underneath, and writes letter to a fan
Inscribed original art double signed: "Heath", "Michael Heath" in black ink. B/w, 8x9. Included is a newspaper article about the cartoonist. Door reads: "COAL Board". Captioned: "They now want dressing rooms with stars on the doors." Autograph letter in full: "Dear Victor W. Croxford - Thank you for your letter I cannot let you have the cartoon you ask for as somebody has already asked for it. However I hope the above drawing will be O.K. Enjoy your [illegible]. Yours,". British cartoonist Michael Heath (b. 1935) is the son of a "hack illustrator of children's comics" George Heath, who worked as an illustrator for Amalgamated Press, and an illustrator mother who drew for Picturegoer and Woman's Own. When he graduated high school he attended the Brighton Art College form 1952 to 1953, but disliked it so much he left before finishing the course; Heath sold his first drawing in 1954 for only four guineas. In 1957 Heath began contributing to the Spectator, started contributing to Punch in 1958, and began what would be a long association with Private Eye, where he wrote the series "Great Bores of Today" and "Heath's Private View". He was voted CCGB's Pocket Cartoonist of the Year in 1977, and Granada TV's What the Papers Say Cartoonist of the Year in 1979. Heath signed a contract with the Evening Standard in 1977 and stayed till 1986, while also contributing to Man About Town, Men Only, Sunday Times, and Evening News. He was named Cartoon Editor of the Spectator in 1991, and was considered a senior figure among British cartoonists, and received the Member of the British Empire medal in 2001. Toned. Very irregularly cut. Normal mailing folds. Otherwise, fine condition.