One Hundred Years Ago

[Rix Gins]

August 15, 1920.  Public Domain

[Rix Gins]

August 16, 1920.  Public Domain

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 17, 1920.

[Rix Gins]

August 17, 1920.  Public Domain

[Ciardelo]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 17, 1920.

Interesting! This is the "real" Ponzi scheme?

[aldousburbank]

Never forget!



Edit: I mean, 51 years man... I forgot.

[pate]

Never forget!



Edit: I mean, 51 years man... I forgot.

Your forgetting is surely a lingering effect of the brown acid...

-p

[albrecht]

Interesting! This is the "real" Ponzi scheme?

Yes, that is guy for which the crime was named. Even though the crime and/or scheme happened before and continues to happen but his was so large and the modern press so he is forever associated with the crime.

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 18, 1920.

[Rix Gins]

August 18, 1920.  Public Domain

[AZZERAE]

Hey Rix,

You may be happy to know, that prominent alternative cartoonist Chris Ware compiled a gorgeous collection of Gasoline Alley strips which was published through Drawn & Quarterly.

The books were entitled 'Walt and Skeezix'. Take a look around online for their availability, as they are beautiful artifacts if you are a fan of the strip.



I'm not sure if you're familiar with George Herriman's strip Krazy Kat from way back when, as well.

Chris Ware also designed the covers and was head of the art direction of the newly packaged collections.



Anyways, I just thought it'd be worth you checking 'em out.

Chris Ware has also produced collections of his own work (which are reminiscent of Frank King's work) and you may find them of interest, as well.



I have his 2 sketchbook collections entitled 'The Acme Novelty Library', and they have magnificent sketches and doodles and unfinished pieces of his own strips within their pages.



Voume 2 is pictured above. The first volume is far superior (IMHO) - and comes with a red spine.

[Rix Gins]

No, I wasn't aware of those Gasoline Alley books but man, those look really nice.  I will definitely look into the particulars of buying them.  A first glance has shown me that there is a book called Walt Before Skeezix, which covers the time period now being posted here.  (Before somebody left the baby boy on his doorstep.)  My favorite old comic strip is Our Boarding House, starring the longwinded, cigar chomping braggart, Major Amos B. Hoople.  I've got four collections of that strip in soft cover books that cover the 1930s.  I don't see why I can't start collecting the Gasoline Alley books.  I've kind of gotten to like the strip, just from posting it here.  Thanks, Azz!     

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 19, 1920.

[Rix Gins]

August 19, 1920.  Public Domain

[Ciardelo]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 19, 1920.

They paid fines? Where did they keep their money? ...uh...don't answer that.

[Kidnostad3]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 18, 1920.

How do you rent water?  Do they repossess the water in your toilet if you don't pay.   What is rented is access to water.  No wonder foreigners have trouble understanding english terminology. 

[Dr. MD MD]

How do you rent water?  Do they repossess the water in your toilet if you don't pay.   What is rented is access to water.  No wonder foreigners have trouble understanding english terminology.

But everyone, no matter what language they speak, has no problem understanding what a completely useless dickhead you are.

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 20, 1920.

[Rix Gins]

August 20, 1920.  Public Domain

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 21, 1920.

[Rix Gins]

August 21, 1920.  Public Domain

[Ciardelo]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 21, 1920.

Security was different back in the day huh. 

According to https://www.dollartimes.com/inflation/inflation.php?amount=100000&year=1921

Adjusted for inflation, $100,000.00 in 1921 is equal to $1,324,608.25 in 2020.

$1,324,608.25? Pretty nice pay day.

[Rix Gins]

August 22, 1920.  Public Domain

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 23, 1920.

[Rix Gins]

August 23, 1920.  Public Domain

[WOTR]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 23, 1920.

I wonder if Billy fared better than his father...

[Rix Gins]

I wonder if Billy fared better than his father...

The dad worked at a place called City Launderette, most likely during the winter months, I'd assume.  Then, summer would roll around and he'd be asked what his summer vacation plans were.  "Oh, I think I'll go up and jump from one plane to another, then dive off the second plane into the lake." 

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 24, 1920.

[Rix Gins]

August 24, 1920.  Public Domain

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union., August 25, 1920.