Would you like to own the original art for the cartoon above? Read below to find out how:
There is a blogosphere fund-raising challenge on for Spirit of America, an organization that raises money for Marines to use for humanitarian and public relation purposes in Iraq and Afghanistan (see the site for details). The challenge ends at 12:01am PST this Thursday, April 29. Click here to see the tally so far.
Dean Esmay invited us to make a donation via his blogger challenge group Liberty Alliance, which we did. But we also noticed that some bloggers were auctioning items to raise money, e.g., Lt. Smash's hat from Iraq. We decided to throw our hat in the ring, too.
The highest bidder in the comments section for this post -- by Wednesday 2:00pm CST -- will receive the original art for the above cartoon. After the auction ends, the winning bid amount must be donated to Spirit of America via Liberty Alliance. There's no minimum opening bid. This is the first time we've sold an original editorial cartoon.
The artwork is drawn in India ink on a 7" x 11" acid-free bristol board, and the image is approximately 6" x 9". John and I will sign it on the back. The idea for the drawing is something we had planned for Memorial Day.
Bloggers, feel free to use the image above, but please link back to this permalink to help publicize the auction.
We will post updates here if necessary.
UPDATE: To clarify a question someone had: Bidding is open to everyone, not just bloggers.
UPDATE II: I received the original artwork from John today and discovered that the first scan (from a fax) did not do his art justice. Above is the new scan, which reveals more detail and subtlety. You can compare it to the first scan here.
UPDATE III -- LOT INCREASE!: We are simply overwhelmed by the response to this auction. To show our appreciation, we're adding the following items to this lot:
+ One Signed Copy of our Book; and
+ One "Bring 'Em On, Allah" T-shirt (Size L)
This auction ends today at 2:00pm CST.
BIDDING IS CLOSED FOR THIS ITEM.
Congratulations to joey!
Posted by Forkum at April 25, 2004 10:11 AM
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I'll open the bidding: $50.00.
Posted by: Jack at April 25, 2004 10:41 AMI'll bid 55 dollars.
Posted by: Edwin at April 25, 2004 10:54 AMRNS is in for $100. It would be a great thing to hang over the launch control board.....
Posted by: Da Nukevet at April 25, 2004 11:10 AMHey, Da Nukevet, your gapping bid looks like an attempt to intimidate us into backing down. Not likely. $105.
Posted by: Jack at April 25, 2004 11:52 AMSnicker at the puniness of my cowardly increase.
$205
Posted by: Chris Land at April 25, 2004 01:33 PM$300
Posted by: hindmost at April 25, 2004 02:15 PMOK, I never win on eBay, but make plenty of folks pay more than they intended...
How about $ 350?
Posted by: PJ at April 25, 2004 03:45 PMAllen, I'm the guy who sent the E^3 email; and I stand by it. Regardless...
$500.
And yeah, PJ... I'm one of those you've gotten on eBay... ;P
Posted by: hindmost at April 25, 2004 08:23 PMI don't have the money to top current bids, but I want to offer my praise to all of you who have been so generous. It didn't take many posts to get to the current $500 bid. You guys are amazing... and making a difference for our men & women in uniform.
Posted by: insomni at April 26, 2004 09:01 AMOK, looks likeI'm going tohave to work to get this one...$600.
Hindmost - so I finally meet the guy that outbid me on that "Tattoo Barbie"...LOL.
Posted by: PJ at April 26, 2004 09:14 AM$650
Posted by: spc67 at April 26, 2004 11:00 AMToo much for me; best of luck to those who are still bidding, and I implore those of you (um... I guess that's "us" now) who can't afford to continue on this auction to give whatever you can to Spirit of America.
BTW, PJ... Tattoo Barbie says hi. She's enjoying her life of leisure with Mohowk Ken. ;P
Posted by: hindmost at April 26, 2004 01:51 PMDamn, I don't even have enough money to have covered the starting bid here...*sigh*
But the lucky winner is going to get him(or her)self a true masterpiece--and for a truly good cause. Good luck to y'all! :-)
--TwoDragons
Posted by: Denita TwoDragons at April 26, 2004 02:38 PM$675
Posted by: Bill Brent at April 26, 2004 04:57 PM$700
Posted by: joey at April 27, 2004 08:42 AM$750
Posted by: Juan Collas at April 27, 2004 09:01 AMI want to point out that some employers have programs for matching contributions by their employees to tax-exempt charities. This could double the funds raised for The Spirit of America.
Posted by: snarayanan at April 27, 2004 09:29 AM$800
Posted by: joey at April 27, 2004 02:53 PMA great cause, and great art... $1000
Posted by: brad at April 27, 2004 07:25 PMNOTICE TO BIDDERS: We've added two items to this lot. Read Update III for details.
Posted by: Forkum at April 28, 2004 12:31 AM$1100
Posted by: joey at April 28, 2004 05:58 AM$1300
Posted by: Quent Cordair at April 28, 2004 01:23 PM(hi, josh!) ;)
Posted by: Quent Cordair at April 28, 2004 01:29 PM$2004
thank you for offering up this wonderful artwork, whether it be to remind us every day, or to encourage us to do something a little risky ourselves while our incredible soldiers are fighting for the future of freedom. that's what this cartoon means to me. i'll remember that even if i don't succeed with this bid, but it was worth the effort from the beginning.
Posted by: joey at April 28, 2004 01:58 PMBIDDING IS CLOSED FOR THIS ITEM.
Thank you very much, joey. We are touched by your thoughts on the cartoon. That's exactly how we meant it. I'll be contacting you by e-mail for final instructions.
Thanks to everyone who has bid on this cartoon. All of you deserve credit for your willingness to support the Marines. There's still time to participate in the challenge, and I'm sure Spirit of America will be accepting donations long after that.
Allen & John
Posted by: Forkum at April 28, 2004 02:06 PMCan I just say that you guys totally rock! What an awesome piece you donated and to joey, a wonderful bid!
Posted by: Plunge at April 29, 2004 12:19 AMthanks plunge!
this was my first-ever auction, and my mom (a veteran ebay-er) would be proud. quent cordair (the prior bidder, who introduced himself afterward) likened it to a ... what did he call it? oh yeah - a JDAM! quent has volunteered his art gallery's services to matte and frame the piece - and to my delight, he's agreed to display it in his gallery in california (http://www.cordair.com) for a while. so its adventure has just begun.
and thanks to you, plunge, and to your boss - for all the ways you've served, up front and behind the scenes. your journal from iraq and after has allowed folks like me to see and understand things we never would have been able to otherwise.
it's comforting to know that we're all in this together.
ever toward freedom ... joey
Posted by: joey at April 29, 2004 05:39 AMWOW!
Congrats Joey!
Plunge ... Can I just say that you totally rock! In other words, I second Joey's gratitude for your service.
Posted by: Forkum at April 29, 2004 08:23 AM