Description
1938 edition with gray linen cover. Hard cover has wear and some fraying. The binding is coming loose from a couple of sections but the stitched pages are still holding together well. The pages are clean with a few marks on some.
This vintage instructional book, “How to Paint Signs and Show Cards” by E.C. Matthews, is a true gem for collectors and enthusiasts of graphic design and commercial art history. Published in 1938, it captures the golden age of hand-painted signage and showcards, a vibrant era before mass-produced advertising took over. Matthews, a renowned sign painter and instructor, meticulously compiled 200 alphabets and layouts, providing a comprehensive self-study course for aspiring artists.
Beyond its practical value, this book offers a fascinating glimpse into the visual culture of early 20th-century America. The variety of lettering styles, from ornate Victorian scripts to bold Art Deco fonts, reflects the diverse aesthetic influences of the time. Moreover, the book’s very existence speaks to the importance of skilled craftsmen in an age before digital design tools.
While showing signs of its age, this particular copy retains an authentic charm. The worn linen cover and loosening binding are reminders of the book’s well-loved status, likely passed down through generations of sign painters and design enthusiasts. The clean pages, with only a few marks, suggest careful handling by previous owners who appreciated the book’s enduring value.
