This is “ESKY” the wonderfully kitschy mascot of Esquire Magazine. Esky first appeared on the cover of their second issue in 1934.
He was created by the famous black cartoonist E. Simms Campbell, who for years and years did a little risque and very funny cartoons for Esquire.
Esky is about 20″ tall, and he’s made from a resin material. I bought him at a Antique Show outside of Chicago years ago. He was a birthday gift for my husband, who loves advertising related anything. This was way before the computer, so the magazine with the Esquire cover that he has folded under his arm, had to be copied by hand by my wonderful artist friend, and added. It was a good birthday….smile
I’ve included some info on E. Simms Campbell’s cartoon work and great career. He’s all over Google if anyone would like to read/see more of his work.
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kookykitsch
fantastic! I love advertising mascots.
Douglas Wood
Wow– what an amazing piece– I’m so envious. Just curious– was this outrageously expensive?
k2dtw
Yesss…it was for me, even at the time. Lots of angst, I had to pace for 20 minutes and rationalize all the way home…smile
jennybrownstone
Hi! I love this piece. my husbands family founded the magazine and we are in search for one in our new home. Is it available. cheers, Jenny
k2dtw
Hi Jenny, Thank you. We don’t want to sell our Esky, we’ve had him a long time.
Checking Ebay I don’t see Esky currently for sale. He does come up on advertising memorabilia auctions.
One great online site is http://www.liveauctioneers.com .. I didn’t see Esky coming up for sale on any live auctions, you can see what he has sold for through the years on their sold site. If you can’t see the sold prices, you need to sign into the site, very easy process with email and password.
Thanks again,
Bob
k2dtw
Hi.. FYI.. Are you still looking??
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Esky-Esquire-Man-Advertising-Store-Display-Statue-Figure-Mascot-/321510920980?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4adb8b5314
Douglas Wood
Thanks for remembering that I lusted after this great piece! It has one bid on eBay and is already at the $475 mark so I’m afraid it’s out of my range. But thanks for the heads up!
Douglas Wood
Whatever it was, I’m sure it was worth it.
k2dtw
Thank you… The computer is so wonderful. There were only books to reference when we found The Esky Mascot.
I was just looking at a Google search for E. Simms Campbell and saw a “Nightclub Map of Harlem” that he did in 1932, the artwork is fabulous.
Do you collect vintage typewriters, or anything that would relate to writing or film?
Douglas Wood
I occasionally acquire bits of movie memorabilia, but for the most part, when I’m at home, I don’t like to be reminded of WORK!
selwithdel
I just wanted to mention that I have a similar, if not the same item, an esky mascot….the one I have isn’t in as good condition as yours, and someone colored the hair black….I’m not sure how many were made, and I’m glad to see that another one has found a good home.
Allee Willis
Would love to see your Esky here.
Allee Willis
Esky has another friend at AWMOK but with a different color mustache and not carrying his Esquire: https://www.alleewillis.com/awmok/kitschenette/2010/10/26/esky/