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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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!

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

Bill:

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

Mark

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...

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...

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...

Call me whatever you want: just don't call me late for supper!

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...

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...

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...

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...