The skeleton of the people’s editor (Antonio Vanegas Arroyo)

José Guadalupe Posada Mexican
Publisher Antonio Vanegas Arroyo Mexican

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The bearded skeleton wearing glasses and a top hat represents the publisher Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, for whom Posada worked from 1888. Vanegas Arroyo is flanked by a description of the materials he published, their commercial success indicated by the thousand-dollar note in his right hand. He stands among skeletons proofreading and operating the press in a workshop. On the other side of this sheet is a long text concocted by Vanegas Arroyo; he bids farewell to all that he has known, indicating that he might come back from the dead to frighten people. The publisher did not die until 1917, so this adds a humorous twist.



La calavera barbuda con gafas y sombrero de copa representa al editor Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, para el que Posada trabajó a partir de 1888. Vanegas Arroyo aparece rodeado de una descripción de los materiales que publicó, de cuyo éxito comercial da una medida el billete de mil dólares que tiene en la mano derecha. Aparece de pie rodeado de calaveras que revisan textos y manejan la imprenta en el taller. En el reverso hay un largo texto redactado por él en el que se despide de todo lo que conoció, lo que sugiere que podría regresar de entre los muertos para atemorizar a la gente. No falleció hasta 1917, así que esto añade un toque humorístico.

The skeleton of the people’s editor (Antonio Vanegas Arroyo), José Guadalupe Posada (Mexican, Aguascalientes 1852–1913 Mexico City), Zincograph and letterpress (letterpress on both sides of sheet)

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