(Posted by Doug Skinner.  The illustration is from Safe Counsel, by B. G. Jefferis and J. L. Nichols, 1928.)

Our final gallery of caricatures begins with one by André Rouveyre.

Jean Veber, who drew a number of portraits of Allais, chose to portray him as a horse in this sketch.  At least, I think that’s a horse.

The playwright Sacha Guitry, who had the unfortunate experience of trying to write a play with Allais, made this sketch:

As well as this one.

And, to finish off, another cover by Siné.

And let me remind you that my illustrated translations of Allais, Captain Cap Volume 1 and Volume 2, are available from Black Scat Books.

(Posted by Doug Skinner)

I didn’t know that the Illinois State Department of Health issued cartoons; this one is striking.  I found it in a 1928 book called Safe Counsel, by B. G. Jefferis and J. L. Nichols.  Don’t be like this man!

(Posted by Doug Skinner)

Georges Lorin made this sketch of Allais sometime in the ’90s.

Jean Veber added to his gallery of Allais caricatures, with a portrait of Allais in the costume he proposed for the members of the Académie Française.

Jean Villemot drew this curious portrait for the cover of Le Sourire.

An anonymous silhouette, from a country fair.

And, just to get my two cents in, my drawing of Allais, Captain Cap, and a potato, from Captain Cap, Volume 2.

(Posted by Doug Skinner)

The new pope, Francis, has enjoyed extensive press coverage, but it must be pointed out that he is not the only one in the game.  This flyer was handed to me today, presumably by the other pope herself.  I wish her well; it’s not an easy job, and Francis has a head start.  (Please click for legibility.)

(Posted by Doug Skinner)

Today is April 1, a day sanctified by the extraordinary French humorist Alphonse Allais; and I am happy to announce that it brings the release of Captain Cap, Volume 2.

Allais’s stories of his absurd anti-hero, first published in 1902, have been meticulously translated and illustrated by Doug Skinner, in the second volume of a set of four.  This volume contains 15 stories and 17 illustrations, and is published in an edition of 125 by Black Scat Books.

The first volume recorded the real life Cap, Albert Caperon, and his tumultuous foray into politics.  The second is devoted to his fictional exploits, as he boasts of his dubious accomplishments, insults his friends, bullies bartenders, and consumes many elaborate cocktails.  You’ll learn the disgusting history of Meat-Land, the origin of polar bears, Cap’s plans for interstellar communication and recycled confetti, his unconvincing experiments with hypnotism, and, of course, all about the apparent symbiosis between the boa and giraffe.

Buy a copy today!  Memorize passages!  Color in the pictures!  And if you see me, I’ll be glad to sign it with the name of your choice.  You can order it from Black Scat Books.

(Posted by Doug Skinner)

“Jodete” was published by Nupro Games, in Buenos Aires.  According to my dictionary, “jodete” means “get lost,” “deal with it,” and other saltier expressions, which I suppose fosters competition.  There are 110 cards, and the objective seems to be to gain 600 points.

(Posted by Doug Skinner)

Jean Veber drew several caricatures of Allais in Le Journal, January 6, 1896; here are two of them.

Ernest La Jeunesse (who, parenthetically, had a long affair with Allais’s wife, and may have fathered her child) drew this sketch of the unhappy husband.

Pierre le Trividie drew this portrait of the young Allais in 1935.

And another, from Guirand de Scévola.

(Posted by Doug Skinner)

This undated “Authors” deck from Russell gets high points from me for including one of the Founders of the Fortean Society.  I like the curious grisaille portrait and the curlicue as well.

The other members of this humble pantheon are: Oliver W. Holmes, Joseph Conrad, Charles Dickens, Sir J. M. Barrie, Rudyard Kipling, Longfellow, and R. L. Stevenson.  Only Longfellow gets single name billing.

The box is nice too.  The touch of cursive is tasty.

(Posted by Doug Skinner)

As I continue to translate and illustrate Alphonse Allais, I’ve been contemplating the many caricatures of him.  Having already offered portraits of his semi-fictional antihero, Captain Cap, I’ll now post some of the man himself.  Internet Allais buffs, you’re welcome.

The first is by Cabriol, aka Georges Lorin, from the Hydropathe, January 28, 1880.  Allais’s original vocation as pharmacist is still part of his image.

Allais beats the drum for a shadow puppet play at the Chat Noir, in a sketch by Georges Redon.

The Chat Noir itself accompanies Allais, in a 1956 drawing by Maurice Henry, on the cover of a collection of Allais’s plays and monologues.

Another early sketch, by Charles Léandre.

And, lastly (for this time; there will be more), Siné’s cover for a 1966 collection.  Siné’s people all tend to look alike; he has, however, distinguished Allais with a beard and a boater.

(Posted by Doug Skinner)