William Norman Ritchie (American, 1866-1947) Wha
William Norman Ritchie (American, 1866-1947) What's Wrong with This Picture, Boston Post newspaper cartoon, 1937 India ink on heavyweight paper 14-1/4 x 11-1/4 inches (36.2 x 28.6 cm) (image) Signed lower right: Norman In July 1892 William Norman Ritchie began work at the Boston Post, and for the next fifty years he served as the newspaper's editorial cartoonist. He was well-versed in politics and counted among his friends and acquaintances Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge. He consistently signed his cartoons "Norman." The White House is the "New Deal Executive, Legislative and Judicial Headquarters" in 1937's What Is Wrong with This Picture, Ritchie's cartoon that features a trio of Franklin Roosevelt's in control of Congress, the Supreme Court and the Presidency. 1937 was a crucial year for FDR's New Deal program. His scheme to pack the Supreme Court with his supporters to ensure approval of New Deal laws had failed; yet a recession and sharp rise in unemployment brought forth new legislation from Congress to strengthen and stimulate the economy, and the Supreme Court belatedly began to uphold New Deal laws, including Social Security. All three branches of government were in Democratic Party hands, and FDR loved it. HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice
Condition
Light toning to sheet. A few scattered handling creases; visible crease in lower right near signature. A few scattered pin points of surface dirt and light handling smudges, most visible through margins; wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Not framed. Sheet overall: 15.25 x 12 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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William Norman Ritchie (American, 1866-1947) What's Wrong with This Picture, Boston Post newspaper cartoon, 1937 India ink on heavyweight paper 14-1/4 x 11-1/4 inches (36.2 x 28.6 cm) (image) Signed lower right: Norman In July 1892 William Norman Ritchie began work at the Boston Post, and for the next fifty years he served as the newspaper's editorial cartoonist. He was well-versed in politics and counted among his friends and acquaintances Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge. He consistently signed his cartoons "Norman." The White House is the "New Deal Executive, Legislative and Judicial Headquarters" in 1937's What Is Wrong with This Picture, Ritchie's cartoon that features a trio of Franklin Roosevelt's in control of Congress, the Supreme Court and the Presidency. 1937 was a crucial year for FDR's New Deal program. His scheme to pack the Supreme Court with his supporters to ensure approval of New Deal laws had failed; yet a recession and sharp rise in unemployment brought forth new legislation from Congress to strengthen and stimulate the economy, and the Supreme Court belatedly began to uphold New Deal laws, including Social Security. All three branches of government were in Democratic Party hands, and FDR loved it. HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice
Condition
Light toning to sheet. A few scattered handling creases; visible crease in lower right near signature. A few scattered pin points of surface dirt and light handling smudges, most visible through margins; wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Not framed. Sheet overall: 15.25 x 12 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
