Captain Bob’s BBQ Bull, Ocean City — John Margolies

John Margolies photographed this unforgettable roadside bull at Captain Bob’s BBQ in Ocean City, Maryland, in 1985. Wearing oversized patterned sunglasses, a brilliant red hat, and matching red neckwear, the enormous black figure turns roadside advertising into an exuberant piece of American visual culture.

The clear blue sky and saturated colors give the photograph an especially graphic quality, while the bull’s humorous styling captures the playful commercial architecture that Margolies documented throughout the United States. It is a distinctive example of the eccentric signs, sculptures, and attractions associated with classic American roadside culture.

Artwork Details

• Artist: John Margolies
• Title: Captain Bob's BBQ bull, horizontal detail, Ocean City, Maryland
• Original title: Captain Bob's BBQ bull, horizontal detail, Ocean City, Maryland
• Series: John Margolies Roadside America Photograph Archive (1972–2008)
• Date: 1985
• Period: Late 20th-century American photography
• Place of Origin: Ocean City, Maryland, United States
• Medium: Color transparency, 35 mm slide

Framed Print Details

• Fine art printing: Professional 12-color fine art printing technology produces vivid, accurate colors with strong tonal depth and significantly greater nuance than standard 4-color inkjet printing.
• Paper: Smooth premium matte paper with a clean, glare-free finish.
• Paper weight: 200 gsm (80 lb).
• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mils).
• Frame material: Durable pine wood.
• Frame dimensions: Approximately 20 mm (0.79 in) deep and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
• Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the print while keeping the framed artwork lightweight.
• Ready to hang: A hanging kit is included, allowing the framed print to be mounted directly on the wall.
• Available sizes: Offered in a range of sizes to suit different spaces.
• Materials: Printed using FSC-certified paper and wood where available.
• Production: Each framed print is produced to order through a trusted international network of professional print studios.
• Shipping: Worldwide shipping is available.
• Made to order: There is no minimum order quantity. Each piece is printed and assembled on demand, reducing unnecessary stock and waste.

Exact frame dimensions, component availability, and production specifications may vary slightly depending on the selected size and destination.