Percy Crosby -- the perfect illustration, circa 1915

Every picture tells a story, though some tell it better than others. The story is complete here... drama; tension; eight characters, each with his own distinct personality. It's a genuine moment from a bygone era.
As a collector, sometimes I find I get the greatest joy from unlikely pieces of art. I can't stop looking at this one... I love every aspect of it.
Percy Crosby, sometime around 1915. Very likely when he was working for the New York World or the New York Globe. Before WW1, before Skippy and celebrity. Perhaps when he, as an artist was still finding his style. This piece is certainly a departure from the sketchier style he would use in Rookie... and Skippy. The strong outlines with the nuanced detail is, in ways, evocative of Winsor McCay, who certainly would have been on every illustrator's radar at the time. Still, aspects of Crosby's signature style and, especially, his characters are evident throughout.
Thanks, Rob S! This piece is so fun to look at and imagine the moment. Maybe I'll write a story from it some day!
If anyone has any actual publication history on this, I'd love the info.