Tim Prusmack
Encyclopedia
Tim Prusmack was an American artist. He specialized in pen-and-ink drawings of U.S. currency.
and his skill in art and love of history fused perfectly in his "money art". Before starting a piece of money art, Prusmack would study the portraits of the people he would draw and read about their lives extensively. He claimed this gave him "insight into their point of view" and assisted Prusmack in drawing "the look in their eyes". For some of his money art, his method involved drawing at three or four times actual size and then making prints both at reduced (correct) size, as well as other scales, including mural-sized enlargements.
His art work was so unique that it earned him the title of the "Mozart of Money Art". Several bank notes that were privately commissioned by such countries as Ireland
(i.e. the beautiful "Irish Note") are not available in the United States. One piece of art took him weeks and even months of intensive work in which he drove himself for perfection.
Since the reproduction of currency is not looked upon favourably by the Secret Service
, artists have often been mistaken for counterfeit
ers, despite the clear differences in intent. Prusmack had a policy of sending a copy of each of his works to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing
as well as the U.S. Mint
office; he earned many friends there including Mary Ellen Withrow
, the U.S. Treasurer.
Prusmack's bills ranged from perfect copies of extant designs (mostly from the 19th century) to fantasy notes that were done in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
style. An example of the latter is a 500 dollar bill done in a similar manner to the modern (series of 1996) 5 to 100.
Methods
As a young child Tim Prusmack started coin collectingCoin collecting
Coin collecting is the collecting or trading of coins or other forms of minted legal tender.Coins of interest to collectors often include those that circulated for only a brief time, coins with mint errors and especially beautiful or historically significant pieces. Coin collecting can be...
and his skill in art and love of history fused perfectly in his "money art". Before starting a piece of money art, Prusmack would study the portraits of the people he would draw and read about their lives extensively. He claimed this gave him "insight into their point of view" and assisted Prusmack in drawing "the look in their eyes". For some of his money art, his method involved drawing at three or four times actual size and then making prints both at reduced (correct) size, as well as other scales, including mural-sized enlargements.
His art work was so unique that it earned him the title of the "Mozart of Money Art". Several bank notes that were privately commissioned by such countries as Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(i.e. the beautiful "Irish Note") are not available in the United States. One piece of art took him weeks and even months of intensive work in which he drove himself for perfection.
Since the reproduction of currency is not looked upon favourably by the Secret Service
United States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
, artists have often been mistaken for counterfeit
Counterfeit
To counterfeit means to illegally imitate something. Counterfeit products are often produced with the intent to take advantage of the superior value of the imitated product...
ers, despite the clear differences in intent. Prusmack had a policy of sending a copy of each of his works to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is a government agency within the United States Department of the Treasury that designs and produces a variety of security products for the United States government, most notable of which is paper currency for the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve itself is...
as well as the U.S. Mint
United States Mint
The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint was created by Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792, and placed within the Department of State...
office; he earned many friends there including Mary Ellen Withrow
Mary Ellen Withrow
Mary Ellen Hinamon Withrow was the 40th Treasurer of the United States from March 1, 1994 to January 20, 2001 under President Bill Clinton....
, the U.S. Treasurer.
Death and legacy
Just before his untimely death, Prusmack was wanted for the coveted and unique position as a money designer for the U.S. Bureau of Printing and Engraving. Just before the surgery that ultimately took his life, he eagerly looked forward to this role. Prusmack's legacy to the art world and numismatic world is unique. In addition, Prusmack created beautiful cover art and posters for many numismatic organization. He supported youth in numismatic activities.Prusmack's bills ranged from perfect copies of extant designs (mostly from the 19th century) to fantasy notes that were done in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is a government agency within the United States Department of the Treasury that designs and produces a variety of security products for the United States government, most notable of which is paper currency for the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve itself is...
style. An example of the latter is a 500 dollar bill done in a similar manner to the modern (series of 1996) 5 to 100.