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John Hastings III

Hand Lettering topics: Sign Making, Design, Fabrication, Letterheads, Sign Books.

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Andrew Lawrence
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Jun 29, 2013 1:06 pm

John Hastings III

Post by Andrew Lawrence »

This may come a bit late, but I've found out that John Hastings has passed away last year May 9th 2017. Some of you might recognize that last name as he was the last of the Hastings family who made Hastings gold leaf. I was able to meet him once as he self published a book on his families history and the history of gold leaf and the company (I have a few copies if anyone is interested).

When he was a teen he underwent an apprenticeship with the company and worked there for a number of years before they closed. Imagine that though, the son of a company undergoing an apprenticeship with their company. This is kind of baffling to me and gives me a deep respect for the ways of old. Instead of being a junior CEO he instead started out as an apprentice working alongside the other goldbeaters and cutters on the factory floor in order to learn the business. Rest in Peace.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/philly ... =185390799

I saw him do a talk at the Book Club of California which is on youtube for you all to watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf8t9zWj4xA&t=89s
Alex Sheldon
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 6:49 am
Location: Detroit, MI
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Re: John Hastings III

Post by Alex Sheldon »

That's sad to hear of the passing of John Hastings. After listening to this talk, it's clear that John had a vast understanding of the business and deep respect for the tradition of gold beating.

I was lucky enough to get a copy from Andrew and the book is worth it alone for the republishing of the Hastings "Gilders' Tips" booklet that appears in entirety. Reading this book gave me a greater understanding and respect for working with gold leaf. I had a general understanding that gold was beaten with hammers until it was thin, but this book gives a comprehensive look at the entire process of making gold leaf from acquiring bars from the US mint to the finished product between rouged papers in a gold leaf book.
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