Magnus Kettner (American, 1890-1963) Indifferenc
Magnus Kettner (American, 1890-1963) Indifference and Frost Expected, Western Newspaper Union newspaper cartoons (two works), 1929; 1941 India ink and lithographic crayon on heavyweight paper 9 x 10-1/4 inches (22.9 x 26.0 cm) (Indifference, image) 8 x 10-1/4 inches (20.3 x 26.0 cm) (Frost Expected, image) Each signed in lower region: Kettner For most of his career Magnus Kettner created political cartoons and newspaper illustrations for Western Newspaper Union which distributed them to newspapers throughout the USA. His work covered issues of the day, expressed his insight into human nature, and reflected the small town and rural settings in which most Americans lived in the first half of the 20th century. Two of his Uncle Sam cartoons address pressing matters for Americans with a keen sense of humor. Published on May 21, 1929, at the end of the Roaring 20s, Indifference portrays Uncle Sam's outrage over the lawlessness that pervaded much of American life—bootlegging and organized crime murders, graft, and the slack nature of jurisprudence. Frost Expected was published on October 9-10, 1941 and features Uncle Sam appealing for scrap metal to a woman whose yard is strewn with pots and pans. Although America was not yet at war there was a need for crucial materials, such as aluminum, for defense production. The artist's original title for Frost Expected was "Overlooked Anything? (image size: 8" x 10.25") quantity: (2) HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice
Condition
Toning to each sheet. Vestiges of adhesive to upper region of Frost Expected. Light scattered pin points of surface dirt to Indifference example; a few very small smudges along lower edge. Wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Not framed. Each sheet overall: 9.325 x 11.25 inches and 9.25 x 10.25 inches
Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "AS IS"
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Magnus Kettner (American, 1890-1963) Indifference and Frost Expected, Western Newspaper Union newspaper cartoons (two works), 1929; 1941 India ink and lithographic crayon on heavyweight paper 9 x 10-1/4 inches (22.9 x 26.0 cm) (Indifference, image) 8 x 10-1/4 inches (20.3 x 26.0 cm) (Frost Expected, image) Each signed in lower region: Kettner For most of his career Magnus Kettner created political cartoons and newspaper illustrations for Western Newspaper Union which distributed them to newspapers throughout the USA. His work covered issues of the day, expressed his insight into human nature, and reflected the small town and rural settings in which most Americans lived in the first half of the 20th century. Two of his Uncle Sam cartoons address pressing matters for Americans with a keen sense of humor. Published on May 21, 1929, at the end of the Roaring 20s, Indifference portrays Uncle Sam's outrage over the lawlessness that pervaded much of American life—bootlegging and organized crime murders, graft, and the slack nature of jurisprudence. Frost Expected was published on October 9-10, 1941 and features Uncle Sam appealing for scrap metal to a woman whose yard is strewn with pots and pans. Although America was not yet at war there was a need for crucial materials, such as aluminum, for defense production. The artist's original title for Frost Expected was "Overlooked Anything? (image size: 8" x 10.25") quantity: (2) HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice
Condition
Toning to each sheet. Vestiges of adhesive to upper region of Frost Expected. Light scattered pin points of surface dirt to Indifference example; a few very small smudges along lower edge. Wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Not framed. Each sheet overall: 9.325 x 11.25 inches and 9.25 x 10.25 inches
Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "AS IS"
Buyer's Premium
30%
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
