Fred O. Seibel (American, 1886-1968) The Big One
Fred O. Seibel (American, 1886-1968) The Big One That Got Away, Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper cartoon, August 28, 1942 India ink on heavyweight paper 16-1x4 x 12 inches (41.3 x 30.5 cm) (image) Signed lower right: Fred O. Seibel Frederick Otto Seibel began his career as a commercial artist in the early years of the twentieth century, and his first published cartoon appeared in the Oneida Dispatch in 1908. He established himself with work in the Utica Times and Knickerbocker Press newspapers in the 1910s; and in 1926 moved to Virginia to become editorial cartoonist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He remained with the Times-Dispatch for more than thirty years. His work was enormously popular and appeared in newspapers throughout the United States. The Big One That Got Away was published on August 28, 1942 and illustrates President Franklin D. Roosevelt's effort to rein in inflation in the first year of America's participation as a combatant in World War II. Labor demands for wage increases, the shift to war production, and attendant shortages caused prices to spike. On April 27 FDR proposed a "7-Point Program to Control Inflation" through taxation, price and rent ceilings, stabilization of wages and farm prices, war bond purchases, rationing of scarce commodities, and the paying off of debt. It had minimal effect initially, yet it and subsequent measures managed to keep inflation manageable through the end of World War II. Seibel's "Moses Bird" was a regular feature of his work, and it stands next to FDR in this original. HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.comxTexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice
Condition
Very light toning to sheet. Light handling creases through lower margin, visible under raking light. Wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Not framed.Sheet overall: 22 x 14.5 inches Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "AS IS"
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Fred O. Seibel (American, 1886-1968) The Big One That Got Away, Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper cartoon, August 28, 1942 India ink on heavyweight paper 16-1x4 x 12 inches (41.3 x 30.5 cm) (image) Signed lower right: Fred O. Seibel Frederick Otto Seibel began his career as a commercial artist in the early years of the twentieth century, and his first published cartoon appeared in the Oneida Dispatch in 1908. He established himself with work in the Utica Times and Knickerbocker Press newspapers in the 1910s; and in 1926 moved to Virginia to become editorial cartoonist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He remained with the Times-Dispatch for more than thirty years. His work was enormously popular and appeared in newspapers throughout the United States. The Big One That Got Away was published on August 28, 1942 and illustrates President Franklin D. Roosevelt's effort to rein in inflation in the first year of America's participation as a combatant in World War II. Labor demands for wage increases, the shift to war production, and attendant shortages caused prices to spike. On April 27 FDR proposed a "7-Point Program to Control Inflation" through taxation, price and rent ceilings, stabilization of wages and farm prices, war bond purchases, rationing of scarce commodities, and the paying off of debt. It had minimal effect initially, yet it and subsequent measures managed to keep inflation manageable through the end of World War II. Seibel's "Moses Bird" was a regular feature of his work, and it stands next to FDR in this original. HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.comxTexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice
Condition
Very light toning to sheet. Light handling creases through lower margin, visible under raking light. Wear and markings to margins of page in keeping with illustration and publishing process. Not framed.Sheet overall: 22 x 14.5 inches Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "AS IS"
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Estimate
Time, Location
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