"Champagne Fred" Bell

American Unemployment, The Great Depression, vintage silver print glossy 8 x 10 photograph depicting "'Champagne Fed' Bell - former Millionaire - now apple vendor." Image taken 3/7/31.

Thomas Frederick Bell, Jr. (born circa 1880), American millionaire heir, the son of banker Thomas Bell and his wife Teresa. Teresa Bell died in 1922, leaving her children $5 each. They successfully fought the will in court. Fred invested his money in the stock market, benefitting handsomely from the ongoing stock boom, and was known as "Champagne Fred." The 1929 stock market crash left him destitute. On March 7, 1931, a photographer made a picture of him selling apples on a street corner in San Francisco. Bell, impoverished despite his three-piece suit and cane, came to symbolize the country's reversal of fortune during the Great Depression. He lost his fortune in the stock market crash so he sold apples to support himself.

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations; however, in most countries it started in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s. It was the longest, deepest, and most widespread depression of the 20th century.

Printed in the second half of the 20th century as part of the American Heritage Publishing Archive.

Front surface shows original hand-embellished printer's masking. Verso bears original filing notations and credit stamping. In very good condition.

Provenance: From the American Heritage Publishing Archives.