The Thieving Thirteenth

February 9, 2011Worked this afternoon on an illustration for the Thieving Thirteenth, the so-called corrupt legislators who met in Prescott in 1888, and with the army gone, or, greatly reduced because of the capture of Geronimo and the end of the Apache Wars, the locals couldn't gouge Uncle Sam any more, so they started gouging the state. Wanted to do that old pen and ink style from Punch, so brought in my bound volume from 1883 (bought it, and two more, in Santa Fe a decade ago). Here are the first two banks of characters:

And here's the second page of sketches:

Anything catch your eye? Or, which one do you think captures the notion of corrupt politicians in early Arizona— The Thieving Thirteenth?

"You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself."

—Ethel Barrymore