Reindeer

One of Searle's long running 'characters' was the reindeer which he used to great comic effect on multiple occasions. A relative of Searle's similarly pathetic horse motif, the reindeer says everything about the human condition.

 Young Elizabethan magazine, January 1959

 Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog

 This later cover was used as the basis for this promotional snow globe.

...and here's a version of the image sans reindeer

Holiday magazine

Christmas card design 1992

This piece is in the art collection of the British Parliament 'The ancient and rather touching ceremony of proceeding towards Christmas' 2009

More Christmas ephemera here

Grosz

A seminal influence on the young Ronald Searle was the work of George Grosz. Apparently he took a small book of Grosz's work to war when he enlisted. Recently sold at auction: an original drawing given to Searle by the wife of one of his artistic idols George Grosz.

GEORGE GROSZ (GERMAN 1983-1959)
FEMALE NUDE

Taken from a sketchbook dated 1912/1913, with pencil inscription from the family of the artist to Ronald Searle, pen and ink on paper

The sheet 23cm x 18cm (9in x 7in)

Note: The work is inscribed 'for Ronald Searle, To remember the placing of the Grosz plaque in Berlin on 6 December 1977, from Martin and Peter Grosz and his wife'. It is also inscribed by Ronald Searle to the reverse 'by George Grosz, taken from a sketchbook, dated 1912/1913, by Peter Grosz, Berlin, 7 December 1977, RS.'