Shop – Page 6 – Ephemerascenti

Typefaces and Letraset Letters

letraset broders
letraset letters
Letraset ad

The digital revolution began around 1980 and resulted in a major shift from prior analog and mechanical technology toward electronic technology and the digital age. Letraset and Chartpak were the Adobe of the late 60s and 70s for graphic designers. Letrasets dry transfer letters and other products are still sold in England, pricey if not rarified. Letraset letter sheets were produced as 10″ x 15″ and Chartpak, 8.5″ x 11″. The sheets enabled anyone from a designer to a Girl Scout leader to design and create posters, cards, or other ephemera while using letters which conveyed their message with the available fontography. The purpose for their use has definitely shifted to a less commericall more creative direction.

Another example of how digital computing and communication technology have been effected in recent decades was the market for and subsequent publication of a series of lettering thesaurus’ to introduce new letter alphabets, their designers, and potential use. Digital computing and communication technology have made obsolete the need for typesetters and typesetting. Imagine the concept of comps, in lieu of camera ready art produced utilizing costly and specialized equipment. The Alphabet Thesaurus Vol. 3 Photo-Lettering Inc. published by Van Nostrand Reinhold in 1971 is the most definitive publication of its times on type. The 500 page oversized book is still used as a coveted reference tool by graphic artists and typophiles throughout the world.

Whirligigs

Even the term whirligig escapes the serious intent of the weathervane which was originally developed as a utilitarian device to predict weather. A whirligig has always been perceived as a toy or product of someone’s whimsy for pleasure. Most whirligigs could be divided into two types, windmills or figures. Rather than silhouette style weathervanes, single figure, full body whirligigs were carved from a singular piece of wood. Of those whirligigs based on the human form, there are several genres into which they may be categorized. Their differences relate to the whirling mechanisms, the position of the arms, and how they relate to their wind catching paddles. Many figural whirligigs, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries themes and characters depicted figures of authority and significance. Included among such professions would have been soldiers, sailors, statesmen often on horses, and well dressed business and craftsmen. Whirligigs based on the windmill form are as diverse as the imaginations of their creators. This is evidenced by, among others, renowned folk artists David Butler and Vollis Simpson. Born in 1919, Mr. Simpson’s phantasmagorical whirling environment is located on his brother’s property, in Wilson, North Carolina. His vocation and interest in heavy machinery resulted in massive whirligigs, actually wind driven sculptural pieces, as tall as 40 feet. Born in 1898, New Orleans, Louisiana, self taught artist David Butler’s pieces were more often made of re-purposed remnants of tin metal, wood, and plastic with paint. Whether for utilitarian function or pure pleasure, wind driven weathervanes and whirligigs have become prized American collectibles with often staggering sales figures at galleries, estate sales, and auction houses particularly in the Ohio, Pennsylvania and open and down the East Coast.

Whirligig with Witch and Horse, 1918, by Charlie Burnham (dates unknown). Folk art in the Smithsonian American Art Museum (National Portrait Gallery), Washington, DC, USA.

Whirligig with Woman Churning and Man Sawing, 1920s, artist unknown. Folk art in the Smithsonian American Art Museum (National Portrait Gallery), Washington, DC, USA.

Marionette’s and String Puppets

Peter the Marionette

teto the clown
howdy doody puppet

mexican man puppet

Our collective eye is focused not only on decorative and functional mid-century and modern objects, but figural representations conveyed in myriad genre of period, style, and media. Handmade limber jacks and jointed handmade “dolls” are examples, as well as marionettes and string puppets made and marketed for a wider baby boomer audience in the late 40s into the 1950s as yet another slice of the American Pie. It was common for public schools to have extra curricular events in which puppet shows took center stage. Companies such as Hazelle Popular Marionettes, the Peter Puppet Company, Pelham, and Gund produced individual puppets and collections linked to animate and inanimate characters popularized on early television. The best known early example, the western and circus themed “Howdy Doody Show” that was aired between 1947 and 1960 with Buffalo Bob, played by Bob Smith. The show included a cast of actors and their on stage characters, that would become household names in their own right, and the puppets including, of course, Howdy Doody, Princess Summerfall Winterspring, Chief Thunderthud, …. Another manufacturer Hazelle Marionettes utilized rigid, molded plastic for Mario, Teto, and their other “Popular Marionettes.” They also developed the “airplane control” which was constructed using two pieces of wood which could be conjoined or separated for a wider range of manipulation of the character’s limbs. The Peter Puppet Playthings Company developed Peter and Patty the Skating Puppets combining the control of arm and leg movement while the puppets were on rolling miniaturized skates. The personality that is conveyed in each facial expression, the fabric from which their outfits were sewn, the graphics on the packaging are among factors that contribute to string puppets and marionette’s appeal from a collectors perspective.

Carved Figures from Baule, Ivory Coast from Mid 20th Century

Our collection of carved and painted Baule figures from Mali, Ivory Coast from the mid- twentieth century, have been offered to us over the past 25 years by long and well known acquaintances of ours. One, a picker, and the other an ex-pat from Mali, Ivory Coast, West Africa. While I have no doubt, the picker is fueling one of his artistic obsessions by selling some of the pieces he would have other wise kept, Ali was sending much of his profits home to his extended family.

The Baule believe that each person has a mate of the opposite sex in the otherworld, also known as blolo. The blolo is that place where the Baule people arrive, depart, and return. Representations of the ideal partner are carved in detail including stature and physique to define and portray specific desired signs of beauty, status, age, character. The statue embodies their ideal and provides a physical symbol for offerings and ritual.

Our collection includes several genres of carved figural images, each type has its own meaning as a whole and specifically to the original owner. The significance of the figures can be complex, the figures are only truly relevant to the person who commissioned it. If the person is no longer living, the piece has no function. Or, the reason for the commission may have been temporal in nature, for instance during illness, or following crisis. Even a superficial understanding of these concepts allows one to realize how figures become available as art to collectors interested in the work not only because of the mythology but the individuality, beauty, and spirit conveyed and represented in each statue, particularly the Colonial figures, by skilled and patient carvers.

Homer Laughlin Company Fiestaware Black Disc Water/Juice Pitcher

Vintage Fiestaware original black disc water pitchers.

Collectible Vintage European Christmas Ornaments

This collection of charming ornaments is made of plaster and metal with hand made fabric clothing. A friend who is a “picker” originally brought these to us. He knows we enjoy figural objects with character. One set includes a king, queen, and princess. Another includes a jester and folkish girl and finally a woodsmen and his wife. These very unusual ornaments would make a great holiday gift for a special host or hostess or anyone interested in folkloric history and dolls. Each figure is articulated with body parts joined with metal. They may be hung from a sturdy branch or other display by attaching a hook to the metal U embedded atop each figure. They convey a vintage, romanticized European quality.

Vintage Bohemian Love Beads

These colorful compact necklace of vintage “trade beads” was purchased in the late 80s from a group of modern day African traders for whom the local Travel Lodge became “home” for days or weeks at a time; dependent on their business. The height of the “trade” period was from the mid 1800s through the early 1900s. Millions of similar beads were produced primarily by the Ventians. They were imported by companies in Germany, Holland and England then traded in Africa and the Americas. These very old fat globular shaped beads, flat tear drop, flat hexagonal, and an occasional tube, circle or claw, have embellished numerous owners and traveled at minimum three continents. Tightly re-strung on clear fishing line, they are a virtual rainbow of colors and patterns. Strikingly impressive necklace to wear, or divide, for supplies for your unique jewelry designs

Vintage Printing Block Painting Studio Image

This is an extra large and very unique vintage printing block, made of wood with etched metal plate. In very good vintage condition. Illustrated is a detailed look into a painting studio class with easels and a still life with fruit. Great for printing purposes or simply as a creative display piece.