Detail from | Detalle de: La calavera de los camiones, circa 1917–28
The Calavera of the Buses | La calavera de los camiones
José Guadalupe Posada (illustrator | ilustrador)
Anonymous (author) | Anónimo (autor)
La calavera de los camiones
[Ciudad de] México: Talleres Gráficos de la Testamentaria de Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, [circa 1917–28]
This is the latest dated of the three broadsides in our collection that use this image. The text describes and pokes fun at the “wonders” of traveling by bus (camión as Mexicans still refer to buses nowadays): the noise, the pollution, the constant whiplash from sudden hitting of the brakes—and the bouncing caused by the street potholes. A troupe of calaveras commandeers a bus and tours Mexico City, eager to visit the fanciest and most modern neighborhoods, including Colonia Roma and the beautiful outskirts like Tacubaya. Along the way, they add more calaveras to their cohort: those who had been killed by irresponsible drivers (including their own, who is constantly fighting with other drivers).
Esta es la más reciente de las tres hojas volantes en nuestra colección que utiliza esta misma imagen. Está dedicada íntegramente a describir, en broma, las “maravillas” de viajar en autobús (camión como los mexicanos se refieren a los autobuses todavía hoy en día): el ruido, la contaminación, los constantes jalones al frenar y los rebotes provocados por los baches en las calles. Los versos comienzan con un grupo de calaveras que se apoderan de un autobús y recorren la ciudad. Por supuesto, no pueden dejar de visitar los barrios más modernos y elegantes de la ciudad, como la Colonia Roma, o las zonas aledañas, como Tacubaya. En el camino se van sumando calaveras a su grupo, son las personas atropelladas por conductores irresponsables, incluido el del suyo, que constantemente pelea con otros choferes.
: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
The New York Public Library believes that this item is in the public domain under the laws of the United States, but did not make a determination as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. This item may not be in the public domain under the laws of other countries. Though not required, if you want to credit us as the source, please use the following statement, "From The New York Public Library," and provide a link back to the item on our Digital Collections site. Doing so helps us track how our collection is used and helps justify freely releasing even more content in the future.
