Now Playing: The American Sign Printer

Letterology is typically not in the habit of making product reviews, but I'm making an exception today, and giving two thumbs-up for this dramatic production of the American Sign Printer kit by the Superior Marking Equipment Company of Chicago. Originally staged in the 1940s, the colorful art direction and cast of characters built a suspenseful yet familiar plot: young child with lofty ambitions of becoming a successful sign maker, quickly has hopes dashed by diminished expectations. "This American troupe's patriotic production must have been directed by the 'Inferior' Marking Equipment Company", cried some of the blistering reviews. In comparison to the mighty opening credits in the first act, the shrinking performance was considered uninspired and featureless. Unfortunately, even with its large cast of 26 characters and a parade of extras (along with one lone star), nothing could save this play from a short shelf life. Now, nearly 70 years later, the revival of the American Sign Printer is a real sleeper of a hit. It's now playing in limited release. Get one here and here while supplies last!  

Disclaimer: Letterology receives no funding nor commercial loot from independent dealers, and only offers reviews and recommendations as a public service ;)
  

Okay, they deserve one gratuitous star for casting an outline face. Done!

Space Planning

Ask any sign painter and they will tell you that lettering is all about space... how much physical space each letter occupies and how much space there is between each letter and word. For maximum readability and legibility, the spacing should be proportional and uniform. This gem was sent to me a while back from master sign painter and comic illustrator Justin Green, and it belonged to a friend of his. On that same note, but an altogether different tune...

A novelty sign which was a recent 25 cent garage sale find, but with a clear message.

Signs of Human Kindness

Some months ago, I came across the lettering work of Boston artist Kenji Nakayama, when I noticed some handsaws he hand-lettered. I recently revisited Nakayama's site to explore his handsaw work further, only to discover another story of a humanitarian sign painting exchange he inspired. In 2010 Nakayama chose to use his skills as a sign painter to raise public awareness of the many homeless he saw living on the streets of Boston. Although a small contribution for people with great need, Nakayama hopes his signage might inspire others to take notice and begin conversations with many of the anonymous people living in the margins. To date, he has offered a handful of them $10 and a freshly painted, hand-lettered sign in exchange for their own handmade sign, and he hopes more sign painters will eventually be inspired to participate.  
     In April, Norwegian lettering artist Carl Frisso followed Nakayama's lead and painted this sign for Mike, who calls himself "The Pope of Harvard Square." In 2008 during the economic crash, Mike had a mild stroke and was soon laid off from his job as a construction supervisor in Boston. Because he hasn't fully recovered, he can't return to his former career. You can read his entire story and others on the tumblr, Signs for the Homeless, sponsored by Kenji Nakayama & Christopher Hope.

Beyond Nakayama's humanitarian sign work, he has no shortage of other ambitions and pursuits. This month the Hellion Gallery in Portland, Oregon has an exhibition of Nakayama's individual and collaborative work with fellow artist, Dana Woulfe. Between exhibitions and commissions, he creates large multi-layered stenciled artworks on wood panels and yes, the occasional hand-lettered handsaw. 

Master Sign Smith

British sign artist David Smith, claims he has the best job in the world, and judging from his uncompromising work, he may well be the very best at it. Smith has the uncommon lettering talents of a 19th century master signmaker, and he is one of the few remaining traditional glass artists to excel in the trade of glass embossing. He is without peers, and in order to prevent his trade from becoming a lost art, he is on a personal mission to teach his skills to as many as he can. I was delighted to write about the design of John Mayer's Born and Raised album cover artwork in a previous post last August, but this video by Danny Cooke may be the most inspiring 18 minutes of your entire week. And don't miss the closing titles!
::With gratitude to Design Envy today.

In case you haven't had enough, this is an earlier documentary on David Smith. 

Early Transfer Lettering

A 1901 catalog promoting transfer lettering and ornaments for wood, metal paint and glass surfaces from The Palm Letter Co. in Cincinnati Ohio. The process was like transferring decals onto any hard surface with the application of a "transfer cement". Once positioned, the paper backing of the letters could be soaked enough to slide off easily, and leaving the letter in place. After cleaning any excess cement away from the lettering with benzine, a finishing coat of varnish could be applied. I don't think this process was a great threat to signpainters at the time as it seems it must have been more time consuming than actually handpainting the signs. Nice catalog none-the-less and found in the Clark Art Institute Library via the Internet Archive.    

One Letter at a Time

Filmmakers Sam Macon and Faythe Levine have spent two years documenting some of the most dedicated sign painters in the trade. With the release of their new film, these often self-taught and highly skilled sign painters will now receive some of the due respect they richly deserve. Many in the profession didn't survive the competing forces of the dismal, cookie-cutter vinyl signage era which proliferated across America for decades. Some that did, have told anecdotal stories of their esteemed trade for the Sign Painters book—just published by Princeton Architectural Press in November—with a foreword by legendary artist and former sign painter Ed Ruscha. Finally, the official trailer for the long anticipated Sign Painters documentary was released just yesterday. The first screening will take place at the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery in Washington DC on March 30th. Look for an announcement of upcoming screenings of the movie in a theater near you soon. If you can't wait, read the book first. The cover was painted by Ira Coyne of Olympia, Washington.

Fine Lettering Never Goes Out of Date

Out of print, maybe. Out of date, never! There is no shelf life on fine lettering. These book titles and more are shared by sign painter and pinstriper, Rodney Vicik of Red Rocket Signs on his Flickrstream. 
     As an interesting side note, the book immediately above, titled The Elements of Lettering is co-authored by John Howard Benson (1901-1956), artist, designer, calligrapher and famed stonecarver at The John Stevens Shop in Newport RI. Originally published in 1940, this book is a practical and historical guide for lettering. Benson and his family were the subject of one of my favorite columns which I wrote nearly two years ago in this space (later recast as an article for AIGA). It is the remarkable story of a family of truly noted artists and craftsmen; two of which received MacArthur genius grants for their work. Through John Howard Benson's legacy, his family has gone on to become their own solo art colony. A year or so ago, I had the good fortune to visit JHBs son John and grandson Nick who now runs the shop in Newport, and gained such a respect for the accomplished work they each do. Days later, I was in a used bookstore in Manchester MA, and without thought in mind, I happened to find Benson's lettering book. It was a later 1950 edition printed on poor wood pulp paper, but I treasure it all the same.    

John Clark's Alphabets

Spied over on an Antiques Atlas site some time ago, was this 1921 booklet of alphabets from Wayside Mews Collectibles. Sorry, it is sold—so you can look, but not touch. John M. Clark's Series of Alphabets Etc. for Sign Writers, Decorative Designers and Draughtsmen. Published in London by the Trade Papers Publishing Co., Ltd. 22 pages of type treats.