Dow Jones will auction 575 original dot-sketch portraits from the archives of the Wall Street Journal newspaper. These sketches, called "hedcuts," are hand-drawn by in-house artists using a method called "stipple" that results in distinctive works of art. Hedcut portrait sketches have characterized the Journal for more than 20 years and become an icon of American capitalism. The original hedcuts are composed on drawing paper and measure approximately three by five inches. Each is drawn by hand using black ink and takes approximately four hours to complete.
The portraits for sale on eBay represent a wide variety of celebrities, politicians and business figures, and each is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Hedcuts available this week in the Sports category include those of Larry Bird, Joe DiMaggio, Michael Jordan, Arnold Palmer, Richard Petty, Deion Sanders and Tiger Woods.
The net proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, which provides scholarships to minority students pursuing careers in journalism.
This auction accompanies changes coming to The Wall Street Journal on April 9 that will include a new section called "Personal Journal," as well as improved navigational aids throughout the paper, including greater use of color. "Personal Journal" will complement the Journal's pre-eminent coverage of business with a newsy look at the "business of life," and will include coverage of personal finance, health and family issues, travel, consumer electronics and automobiles.
In addition, 47 original dot sketches of prominent business figures have been donated by Dow Jones to The National Portrait Gallery and will be exhibited online beginning in April. The exhibition can be viewed on The National Portrait Gallery Web site http://www.npg.si.edu.
