[Original Humorous Cartoon by Robert C. Dell, Likely Intended for Publication in ESQUIRE or Similar Periodical]

Marengo, IL, 1942. Pen and watercolor on art board, 11.75 x 10 inches, affixed to 13.25-x-11-inch mat, with typed caption on lower margin of mat. Staining and bumping to mat. Original art a bit toned, light dust soiling but overall very good. A delightful satirical cartoon by noted illustrator Robert C. Dell (1908-1972). Dell hailed from Chicago and was a prolific contributor of cartoons and illustrations to The Chicago Tribune, Esquire, Nifty, and other publications. The present cartoon depicts a Peeping Tom in a job interview with the FBI, whose hiring manager sits at a large desk in front of a large flag emblazoned with the initials "F.B.I." and asks the applicant, "Any other experience besides peeping?" Dell signs with his characteristic bubble-letter signature at bottom right, and includes his ink stamp on the verso with his home address in Marengo, Illinois, where he moved in 1941. Another partially-printed ink stamp on the verso is partially filled in by hand, indicating the cartoon was bought for $7 on September 3, 1942 with a certain check number, but does not reveal the buyer's identity. A wonderful relic of a mostly bygone time when illustrators could regularly contribute to newspapers, magazines, books, and the like.