Mid-Century

“Os Imprudentes,” Emmérico Nunes, 1949 on Flickr.

1949 illustration by Emmérico Nunes. Scanned from the 1971 book “O Livro do Automóvel,” page 34. Writen by Filipe Nogueira, published by Editorial Verbo, Portugal.

Click image for 686 x 394 size.

Page 34, “The Reckless Ones”: “They’re the ones who although knowledgeable of the dangers, make it a point to provoke them, trusting their luck and quickness.

They like to show off their skill in measuring distances and so when they cross the street they deliberately slow down their pace so they can jump out of the way only at the last moment, performing exciting escapades.

They’re the ones who challenge cars face front, sideways, with their backs turned, acting out like false bullfighters, thinking themselves brilliant and going so far as to shout… olé!

They’re the ones who jump onto the tram-ways when they’re in full speed ahead and get off before they’ve come to a halt, often not bothering to see if there’s any danger in so doing.”