Ninger Note

Futility Closet:

In the 1880s, Emanuel Ninger, known as "Jim the Penman," drew $50 and $100 bills by hand, spending weeks on each one. Fifty bucks was a lot back then, about $2,000 in today's money, so the effort was worthwhile. This also meant that his "work" ended up in the hands of rich people, and he actually gained a perverse following who realized the forgeries' value as works of art. (more)