Lot 429

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Karl Westergaard Autograph Signed Card with Highly Controversial Cartoon

2pp of a bifolium, measuring 5.75" x 8.25", no place, dated May 27, 2008. Boldly signed "Kurt Westergaard" and addressed to Ben Benson. The Danish cartoonist thanks Benson for his concern about his safety, writing in full: "Thank you very much for your letter, which I was pleased to receive. Thank you very much for your concern about my situation. Yes, I would like very much to see examples of your portrait art. My present situation is a little difficult, moving from safe-house to safe-house. But thank you very much for your best wishes."

The front of the card features Westergaard's controversial cartoon of a terrorist, although not the Islamic prophet Muhammad as it is often claimed, wearing a bomb as his turban. Below the terrorist is a cartoonist with a speech bubble. Westergaard has translated the cartoonist's speech, as well as the newspaper headline, which he has annotated with asterisks. The speech bubble translates to, "OK…there is a risk, that your work is taken seriously!" and the newspaper headline reads, "Death Threats." Bumping to the edges and corners of the card.

This cartoon was the most contentious of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons, twelve in total, which were published on September 30, 2005. It was met with strong reactions from Muslims around the world, who condemned the cartoon and its artist, and Danish Prime Minister Anders Rasmussen described the controversy as the country's worst international relations incident since World War II. Since the publication of the cartoon, Westergaard has received numerous death threats and been a target of at least three assassination attempts. As a result, the 85-year-old artist has been placed under constant police protection and his house is outfitted with steel doors, reinforced glass, surveillance cameras, and a panic room.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

January 6, 2021 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000