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Atkinson's "Last & Final Book" 1950 Ornate

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

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Mike Jackson
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Atkinson's "Last & Final Book" 1950 Ornate

Post by Mike Jackson »

Atkinson's "Last & Final Book" 1950
ORNATE versus STREAMLINE
In composition with "streamline", I am suggesting - without apology - that ornate design be revived and returned to its deserved place in Sign Art, bacause of its combined advertising and attraction value which is incalculable and indisputable.
Mike Jackson / co-administrator
Golden Era Studios
Vintage Ornamental Clip art
Jackson Hole, WY

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Mike Jackson
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Post by Mike Jackson »

Atkinson's last book was printed in 1950. Being a master at ornamentation, I think he was frustrated by the movement to over simplify. Many of the books of the late '40s had the word "modern" in the title, such as Martin's Modern Ideas Book 4

Image
This plate from Martin's book 4 illustrates the movement to "panelize" and break up space using geometric shapes...not much in the way of cury-Qs and flourishes which appears to have frustrated Frank some.

Mike
Mike Jackson / co-administrator
Golden Era Studios
Vintage Ornamental Clip art
Jackson Hole, WY

Photography site:
Teton Images
Jackson Hole photography blog:
Best of the Tetons
Mike Jackson
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Posts: 1705
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:02 pm
Location: Jackson Hole, WY
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Post by Mike Jackson »

ante·di·luvi·an n.
1. Extremely old and antiquated.
2. Bible Occurring or belonging to the era before the Flood.
Mike Jackson / co-administrator
Golden Era Studios
Vintage Ornamental Clip art
Jackson Hole, WY

Photography site:
Teton Images
Jackson Hole photography blog:
Best of the Tetons
Doug Bernhardt
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Post by Doug Bernhardt »

Love it....My hero Ivan Ellicott (Peterborough Ontario) sho-card writer, before I started my apprenticeship here in Ottawa, admired and showed me H.C.Martins books. With 30 or so years of reflection I can understand "Uncle Franks" frustration. Even today I notice a "trend" in several directions. There seems to be the Gary Anderson look....the Mike Stevens look and the Noel Weber look. I love them all but I wonder which one of those I fall into ...(he says scratching his head). Look forward to the day when I get to see all these assorted and wonderful books out there!
Ron Percell
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Post by Ron Percell »

I'd have to agree with Frank.

Doug,,you have that "Wood Chuck Look",, all joking aside, your work is excellent.
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