Is that romantic aura part of what drew Art into the crime?
Well, I think initially what drew him in was the desire to make money. But it does take a certain sensibility to be a producer of counterfeit money; you have to have an artistic sense. You have to have a respect for the craft and a creative personality. That was as much a part of it for him as having the money in his pocket the act of creation. (See pictures of the dangers of printing money.) One striking detail of the story is how Art and his wife would travel around the country and unload their fake bills by buying random supplies and souvenirs, getting real money in change. Then they donated those supplies to charity. They’d have all this extra stuff, and they’d drop it off at Salvation Armies and churches. That became as important to them as the money itself, that feeling of charity. He wasn’t a greedy counterfeiter. Why do you think he agreed to talk to you? Was part of him proud, and wanted to boast? Absolutely. You can see in the earlier part of the book that he’s a good kid, an
