Welcome to The Hand Lettering Forum!
This is an interactive Bulletin Board on the topics of Sign making, design, fabrication, History, old Books and of coarse Letterheads, Keepers of the craft. The Hand Lettering Forum features links to resources, sign art history, techniques, and artists profiles. Learn more about Letterheads at https://theletterheads.com. Below you'll see Mchat has been added as a live communication portal for trial, and the Main forum Links are listed below.

Search found 66 matches

by oatis
Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:08 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: OFFICIAL LOCATION OF INTERNATIONAL LETTERHEADS 2015
Replies: 14
Views: 12560

OFFICIAL LOCATION OF INTERNATIONAL LETTERHEADS 2015

Everybody: We promised additional news of the 40th Annual International Letterheads meet, and here it is! The meeting will be held at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. The estimated date be September 2015: this will be nailed down and announced very shortly. The logistics of the earlier Las Ve...
by oatis
Thu Nov 14, 2013 9:39 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 40th Annual International Letterheads Las Vegas NV 2015
Replies: 9
Views: 8689

40th Annual International Letterheads Las Vegas NV 2015

You heard it here first. The 40th is taking place in the desert, early '15, before it gets too beastly warm. You can expect something of an extravaganza: this is Vegas, ain't it? Dates, further details, and oh yeah, the name of the meet, will follow by New Year's Eve, 2013. Gonna be a party. Rose an...
by oatis
Thu Nov 14, 2013 9:39 am
Forum: Letterhead Events
Topic: 40th Annual International Letterheads Las Vegas NV 2015
Replies: 9
Views: 11164

40th Annual International Letterheads Las Vegas NV 2015

You heard it here first. The 40th is taking place in the desert, early '15, before it gets too beastly warm. You can expect something of an extravaganza: this is Vegas, ain't it? Dates, further details, and oh yeah, the name of the meet, will follow by New Year's Eve, 2013. Gonna be a party. Rose an...
by oatis
Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:44 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: The $277,050 Calligrapher
Replies: 15
Views: 10766

Re: The $277,050 Calligrapher

I'll take a chomp. Them that knows me would be be disappointed if I was to take a pass. And I'll brook no scold for my few moments in the fray. The tenor of the discussion was well underway, 'ere my logon. As to the presenting issue: It's the example on the right, hands down, of course. The part-tim...
by oatis
Sat Dec 08, 2012 2:28 pm
Forum: Hand Lettering Gallery
Topic: Signs From Sydney Australia
Replies: 33
Views: 22412

Re: Signs From Sydney Australia

A related point on the lead foil topic, and a question for the keepers of techiniques arcane and forgotten: When I was an apprentice, I had a conversation, probably ca. 1972 or so, with our beloved Meister Josef Lerch, who worked as an expert lettering and pictorial artist at Eller Outdoor. His atti...
by oatis
Sat Dec 08, 2012 2:28 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Signs From Sydney Australia
Replies: 33
Views: 23006

Re: Signs From Sydney Australia

A related point on the lead foil topic, and a question for the keepers of techiniques arcane and forgotten: When I was an apprentice, I had a conversation, probably ca. 1972 or so, with our beloved Meister Josef Lerch, who worked as an expert lettering and pictorial artist at Eller Outdoor. His atti...
by oatis
Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:53 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Transparent Glaze - How to question?
Replies: 11
Views: 7696

Re: Transparent Glaze - How to question?

Bill: I have a lot of experience w/ transparent glazes, and my favorite combo is quick size, with transparent artists oils, as Larry suggested. Straining is a must. If you are going to lay aluminum leaf over the tinted area (is this for your chipped centers?) then you actually can lay matte leaf dir...
by oatis
Mon Mar 12, 2012 12:51 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Meta Tags - Keywords - Body Text: Web Presence 104
Replies: 5
Views: 4147

Re: Meta Tags - Keywords - Body Text: Web Presence 104

We do know, of course, that Google conspired with the Chinese government for a number of years to help it monitor the communication of its democratically-minded citizens, ( resulting in countless human rights violations) until the government's hacking of Google itself caused the relationship to sour...
by oatis
Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:27 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Mark Baty Leaves Us
Replies: 2
Views: 2674

Re: Mark Baty Leaves Us

I just read this post, and am saddened to learn of Mark's passing. He was the most enthusiastic, friendly and sharing of artists: the embodiment of a Letterhead. I would like to send my condolences to Mark's family. If anyone has an address, please send it to me via Mike Jackson, or post it here. Th...
by oatis
Wed Feb 08, 2012 9:41 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Early Letterheads photos
Replies: 6
Views: 5013

Re: Early Letterheads photos

Aw shucks, Mike. Out of respect for Steven's classic and barely off-color punchline, I suggest a one-time relaxation of your profanity filter; especially given the suitably unedited photographic content.

I seen rougher'n that on last Sunday's Superbowl halftime show.

Thanks,

Mark
by oatis
Wed Feb 08, 2012 7:21 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Oklahoma Bash
Replies: 5
Views: 4843

Re: Oklahoma Bash

Mike: WOW. These are wondeful to see.

One word sums up the look on the faces of the eager multitudes shown here, watching each demonstration:

HUNGRY!
by oatis
Wed Feb 08, 2012 7:11 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Early Letterheads photos
Replies: 6
Views: 5013

Re: Early Letterheads photos

The young men pictured are decidedly on the VERY THIN side. This was probably due to diet or, ahem, metabolism. The dude between Tedesco and Carl is Bob Mulcahy: still goin' strong in Denver. A wonderful story came out of Mike Jackson's Oklahoma meet, held some months after the Boise Barbeque. It se...
by oatis
Thu Dec 29, 2011 3:40 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Old Letterhead Back In the Saddle
Replies: 16
Views: 10804

Re: Old Letterhead Back In the Saddle

Geary: How wonderful to read your post, and to view your current work. You are obviously holding up your end of the craft, and are aligned with clients who know the real thing when they see it. It is also terrific that you are sharing the legacy with your son; that's the stuff that truly counts. I'm...
by oatis
Sat Oct 15, 2011 3:25 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: No news?
Replies: 87
Views: 86569

Re: No news?

Erik: I ordered some gold on Thursday for six reverse glass pieces...oh, YES! The prices have risen! Your pictures show an interesting exhibition, indeed! Wish I could've seen it. Last week I snapped a bunch of pictures in New Orleans, and visited Eve at Mystic Blue Signs www.mysticbluesigns.com and...
by oatis
Tue Aug 30, 2011 4:12 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Rawson and Evans on Archive.org on PDF
Replies: 10
Views: 7379

Re: Rawson and Evans on Archive.org on PDF

Leo: This "American Sign Writer" is a BEAUT. Just when I thought I'd seen 'em all... The unusual "combination" alphabets (showing round and block options of "Egyptian") are really unique. The high-relief illustrations are exquisite. I love seeing the page dedicated to p...
by oatis
Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:06 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Rawson and Evans on Archive.org on PDF
Replies: 10
Views: 7379

Re: Rawson and Evans on Archive.org on PDF

Pat: I thought of the Blasted- Clean-Through option, too. Somebody cut out the word "Chicago" (in script!) for a Letterhead meet project a few decades ago, in precisely that manner--out of quarter inch plate. Stained glass workers sometimes use a tiny abrasive-only blade for complicated sh...
by oatis
Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:41 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Rawson and Evans on Archive.org on PDF
Replies: 10
Views: 7379

Re: Rawson and Evans on Archive.org on PDF

It is GREAT to see this online. I believe R &E published several pamphlets and catalogues. This one contains some different images than I have seen. I wonder how many orders they ever filled for those "Crystalline" cut-out glass letters? The most skilled artist on the bench would've bu...
by oatis
Tue Aug 16, 2011 2:37 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Victoria and Albert Museum , London glass
Replies: 11
Views: 8842

Re: Victoria and Albert Museum , London glass

Dave: I looked on the V&A website for mention of the exhibition...do you know if thay have put up the notice yet?

Thanks,

Mark
by oatis
Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:50 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Keith Knecht's Farewell Celebration
Replies: 5
Views: 4751

Re: Keith Knecht's Farewell Celebration

Jay: I know you'll attend if you can. If you can't be there, send along your regards--it will mean everything to him.

Yours,

Mark
by oatis
Sun Aug 14, 2011 1:00 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Victoria and Albert Museum , London glass
Replies: 11
Views: 8842

Re: Victoria and Albert Museum , London glass

Dave: Wonderful work! And as always, you present something new and creative. The acid "stipple", giving way to the pearl-and-glazed fills within the centers---wow. And that delicate border: Pure U.K. From your description, I deduce that the various makers were granted liberties; within the...
by oatis
Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:49 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Keith Knecht's Farewell Celebration
Replies: 5
Views: 4751

Keith Knecht's Farewell Celebration

Everybody: Our brother, mentor and great friend Keith Knecht is hosting a Farewell Celebration. Keith has endured many serious health challenges in recent years, and has arrived at a point of transition. He is inviting his friends in Toledo, as well as his colleagues in the sign profession to join h...
by oatis
Tue Aug 02, 2011 6:22 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Mica Magaritas
Replies: 8
Views: 5414

Re: Mica Magaritas

Bill:

I believe I understand the process so far, but when do you add the tequila?

Mark
by oatis
Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:55 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Harry Malicoat
Replies: 12
Views: 9989

Re: Harry Malicoat

Eric: Harry was TOPS. I am very sad for you family's loss, and also for the passing of a great artist. Harry had such an enthusiastic and sharing nature. He really embodied the Letterhead spirit. And his Faux-Embossed truck lettering effect was second to none. It completely faked me out. And that ga...
by oatis
Fri May 20, 2011 7:19 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: The Tottenham Pub, London
Replies: 14
Views: 9272

Re: The Tottenham Pub, London

I think this is the part where I say, "Blimey". It is extremely interesting to look at the areas where thin glazes have burned away and revealed the less-finished modeling behind: one of the tomatoes shows that. This guy took his time and studied his "forwards" reference art care...
by oatis
Mon Apr 25, 2011 2:32 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: abalone train
Replies: 5
Views: 3886

Re: abalone train

COOL! Wish there was a better picture, and some scale. It almost looks like the pearl is burning through some varnish glazes (as you sometimes see on the Western Sandblast pieces) but that is probably not the case. My guess is that at that price the buyer is the railroad itself--and this is a museum...
by oatis
Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:20 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Do we still call ourselves signmakers?
Replies: 9
Views: 6056

Re: Do we still call ourselves signmakers?

Call me whatever you want: just don't call me late for supper!
by oatis
Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:17 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Color Photo - 1906
Replies: 2
Views: 2487

Re: Color Photo - 1906

Very interesting, indeed! Especially given the fact that the accompanying news story verifies that these are authentic, 105- year-old color photographs: very rare. Also of interest it the giant beer ad in one of the black and white plates! It appears to have been intentionally painted in a naive, &q...
by oatis
Thu Feb 17, 2011 3:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Florence window gilding
Replies: 16
Views: 13053

Re: Florence window gilding

Dan: What a treat to see all this--and to know you and Chris made pilgrimage. I'm sure you filled another memory card with strictly architectural details and sculpture, too; please post a few. It is great to know our Italian brethern are balanced on ladders and throwing down those TIGHT outlines, sa...
by oatis
Sat Jan 15, 2011 4:44 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Colorado Letterheads
Replies: 6
Views: 4292

Re: Colorado Letterheads

As a now-transplanted member of the Colorado 'heads, I say thanks to the worthy managers of the Forum, and to all the artists, (mostly geniuses, of course) whose enthusiasm, brilliant work and spirit of openess and sharing keep the site vibrant and our movement very much alive. We need to put on ano...
by oatis
Mon Jan 10, 2011 3:34 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: L'art pour L'art
Replies: 44
Views: 24668

Re: L'art pour L'art

Erik: This piece is Astounding! The design beautifully conceived and rendered, the gilding is impeccable, and those custom pictorials are perfect. The Dutch Letterheads movement has an enthusiastic practitioner of consumate skill! Give me a shout when you hit Las Vegas, Erik. It might be sooner than...