Speakeasy Bourbon Prohibition Accounting Vintage T-Shirt

Not available in stores.

This "Prohibition Accounting" t-shirt is an investment.

Let's audit this tee, and see if you have enough interest ;)

We picked the t-shirt colors that worked the best with this bourbon tee. When in doubt, stick to the fundamentals. 

The Speakeasy -- an establishment founded as Prohibition descended onto America in 1920, shortly after the New Year on January 17, 1920. So named because it was best if you "spoke easy" (hush, hush) about these shops that served the hooch (liquor)  You may have to give a special knock on the door. 

The ledgers

Al Capone was famously captured for tax evasion. He had lived a very extravagant lifestyle and yet never filed a federal income tax return. In a landmark case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that money made from illegal activity was taxable. This opened up the opportunity to go after the mob bosses. It was estimated that by 1928, Capone was making over $100 million per year.

Investigators looked for evidence of  income by looking at receipts for expensive items. It was challenging because Capone didn't have bank accounts and he didn't sign checks.

Hollywood versus how it really happened. A surprise.

In Hollywood's depictions, the ledgers and the men who kept them were dramatically captured. In the Untouchables, starring Kevin Costner and Sean Connery, Capone's accountant arrives at the train station to a shootout, with a baby in a carriage precariously dropping down the steps a grand staircase. In the Boardwalk Empire a character meets his end because of the ledgers.

In reality, guess what got Capone? While ledgers were found in 1930 during a series of raids, they were written in code. They found a cashier at one of Capone's gambling halls who could decode them. But what caused Capone's  criminal charges was Capone himself, or rather it was his lawyer. In seeking a plea deal, the lawyer wrote a letter admitting Capone had taxable income from 1924 to 1929, ranging for $26,000 to $100,000 a year.

 That became evidence! Surprise! This was enough to get the trial going.

In 1930, Capone was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in jail.

In December 1933, alcohol prohibition in the United States was repealed. You no longer had to speak easy around a drinking establishment. The era of prohibition accounting had come to an end.

With this tee, GAP will no longer be your favorite clothing store. Colonel Bourbon will be! (See what we did there ;)

The Vintage Look

The shirt has a unique distressed, vintage look; cool, subtle, like washed in a creek. Like maybe it's seen a few things. The fabric remains the highest quality (see below).

The T-shirt

Our tees are the highest quality you will find. 100% combed and ring-spun cotton by Bella Canvas, a USA-based company. Feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and very flattering for both men and women.

Free Shipping -- Please allow from 7 to 14 days for shipping. 

• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Ash color is 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Heather colors are 52% combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester
• Athletic and Black Heather are 90% combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Heather Prism colors are 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz (142 g/m2)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping

Size guide