Tag: c.m. coolidge

  • A Friend in Need Reinterpreted

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    Thursday Night Book Club by Mark Sowa

    I’ve often thought C.M. Coolidge’s “A Friend in Need” was ripe for parody.  That’s why I got a kick out of Mark Sowa’s reinterpretation of it entitled “Thursday night Book Club” or “Dogs Reading Books.”

    Mark says his version was inspired by thinking “about friends gathered together, and what better iconic image to use than ‘A Friend In Need’ by C.M. Coolidge?  Although the classic original is instantly recognizable, people usually know it as simply ‘Dogs Playing Poker’, and hardly anyone knows who the artist is.  Our interpretation pays homage to Mr. Coolidge, while at the same time ‘uplifting’ the casual pursuits of its participants.  What could be more politically correct?”

    He’s right.  No smoking, drinking, gambling, or cheating.  But still lots of fun.

    Mark’s version is available at his Owl Square Press which specializes in bookish prints.  I think he has a new future in bookish dog prints too.

    And here’s the original (available at Amazon
    ) for comparison:

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    A Friend in Need by C. M. Coolidge

    Watch a video of the reinterpretation:

    A new classic is born!

  • C. M. Coolidge’s Boston Terrier

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    I'm a bad dog. What kind of dog are you?

    I found this hand-colored photogravure c. 1895 in the Library of Congress archives today. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was done by C.M. Coolidge of the famous dogs playing poker series. Definitive proof he was more than a kitschy ad man. This little guy is fantastic!

    Here is a great article on the life and art of C. M. Coolidge by Melanie Light.