Up for sale is an incredibly rare piece of 1930s true-crime pop culture history. This is the original 1934 "Vinegar Valentine" comic card illustrated by artist Hugh Chenoweth, famously known as the calling card left by assassins at the murder scene of notorious Al Capone hitman "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn.
On February 15, 1936, McGurn was ambushed and assassinated at a Chicago bowling alley. His killers left this exact card on or near his body as a mocking final insult, sarcastically poking fun at his fall from power and wealth.
Card Highlights:
• Historical Significance: Infamous piece of Chicago Outfit/Al Capone mob lore.
• Illustration Artist: Signed by prominent 20th-century illustrator Hugh Chenoweth in the matrix.
• Copyright Date: Clearly marked Copyright 1934, Printed in U.S.A. in the lower right margin.
• Text/Poem: "You've lost your job; you've lost your dough; Your jewels and cars and handsome houses! But things could still be worse, you know... At least you haven't lost your trousas!"
• Designator: Marked with plate number (24) in the lower left corner.
Condition:
The card is in authentic, aged condition with prominent vertical and horizontal fold lines from storage, mild edge wear, and toning typical for a 90+ year-old paper item. No major missing text or obscuring damage. Please review the high-resolution listing photos carefully to grade the exact condition for yourself.
A stellar addition to any advanced Prohibition-era gangster memorabilia, true crime, or antique greeting card collection.
Shipping & Handling:
Ships flat and highly secured in a rigid mailer with tracking to protect its historical value.
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