Pocket Protectors

The Pocketector from the Plastic Service Co. of Los Angeles. Only 15 cents.

Pocket protectors used to be a badge of honor primarily for white-collar American male office workers. They were designed to neatly tuck into a breast shirt pocket to protect it from ink stains, and store pens, pencils, and small tools. There are mixed opinions about who exactly invented the first pocket protector, but Boing Boing science writer Steven Leckart reports that the first pocket protector patent was issued in 1903 to Himan C. Dexter. Other pocket aficionados recognize engineer Hurley Smith who developed the "pocket shield" in 1943. He was awarded a patent for his invention in 1947. 

No sooner was the pocket protector developed when enterprising young promoters raced to emblazon company logos on the flap extending outside the pocket. This collection below is but a small glimpse to be seen at Dr. John Pojman's gallery of pocket protectors. At this time, he has over 1200 in his collection. It is where all pocket protectors eventually go to retire.  

The Alphabet of Monograms

The Alphabet of Monograms, by Henry Lillie. The only time I've ever seen this book, is in my dreams. It was first published with this ornate gold stamped cover by Day & Son of London in 1865, and has a title page which is equally exquisite. The book contained 26 numbered plates of engraved monograms, and a fold-out index table of lettering combinations with cooresponding page numbers. The word monogram originally signified several interwoven letters blended together into a pleasing design. Lillie designed this book to satisfy the work of the engraver, the embroiderer, and the carver.

::Cover design from State Library of Massachusetts Flickrstream. Interior pages via Live Auction and the Graphic Design Project.

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.    

The Story of Paper

As promised, I present the companion book to "The History of Printing", featured in my previous post; "The Story of Paper" written by a young Joe Obzina in room 5A at John Hay School in Seattle. There is no date on this book, however I believe it to be from the same era as the book on printing which was 1930. What leads me to think this is the last chapter  where Joe includes a list of 27 pulp and paper mills in the State of Washington in 1928. This charming book was another estate sale find from several years ago, found in stacks of well, paper.
     The binding of this book is a Japanese "stab binding", and coincidentally it uses the same grey binding cloth on the spine as the Printing book did. The other similarity between the two books is the cut construction paper lettering for the cover design and a simple silouette of a silkworm which is instrumental in the making of Japanese papers. They both match the sewing thread and the interior endsheets. The book measures 7.5 x 9 inches, making it just a bit larger than the other. 

The title page is simple and plain, and lacks any sort of typographical hierarchy or ornament. Joe was not an adventurous book designer.

The history of paper coincides with the history of writing, which Joe gives only slight mention in his first chapter on "Ancient Writing Materials".

Joe is actually a much better writer and speller than young Albert was, but could take a lesson from him on illustration and layout.

The tipped-in "School" and "Special Paper" samples are a wonderful addition. Following these are lists of 36 different "Kinds of Paper" and 52 different "Uses of Paper", from Blotters to Parasols.
 

Side Note: Pardon the recent Letterology makeover here, but I inadvertently pushed the wrong button the other day and there is no quick fix. I tried googling "Why doesn't Google understand the definition of the word 'Revert'", but got not reply. Time for that big move over to Wordpress soon!