I had a friend stop by today and drop of a box of old Signcrafts, he said "there must be a hundred of em in there". I knew they were coming so it wasn't a shock, actually I was looking forward to it.
When I started in the sign biz and first subscribed to signcraft, my first issue was issue number 64 so this collection was exciting to receive. Anyway I had to run right out and get to a few jobs so I left it un touched and un opened until I returned.
Well when I returned, you guessed it I couldn't wait to open it and run through all the signcrafts I never had, which is number 63 down to number 1, and boy it was just like finding a treasure chest full of gold. WOW what layouts, what craftsmanship, it makes the stuff in the mags today look like child play.
SO I figure I have enough reading material to cover me until say November, the problem will be to make sure I keep working and not to run off and crack open another volume to read.
and here's the best part....98% of these have never been read. This sign guy must've sucked haha or he was so good he didn't need signcraft. A lot of them are still in the brown wrapper like the 10th anniversary issue, I mean come-on you didn't want to read the 10th anniversary issue? and I have a bunch still in the plastic wrapper too. There are so many that even though the wrapper is gone you can tell the cover hasn't even been creased.
Damn mine have wear marks they were read so much lol. Oh well I must run I hear volume 10 calling me hahaha
[ June 25, 2004, 06:45 PM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
You lucky dog you. Enjoy! love...Jill
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
Serendipity! Great find Bob. I know it is hard to imagine that a lot weren't even read. Reminds me of a few years back my supply order was delivered to a vinyl competitor down the street by mistake and I asked him if they forgot my Signcraft (let my subscription lapse), He asked what is that?
Go figure.
I believe I have about every issue from the beginning. I still remember the excitement when it came out because of the dearth of sign painter related articles in the standard industry publications of the day. Pored over those measly pages like they were the Dead Sea Scrolls.
[ June 25, 2004, 06:49 PM: Message edited by: David Wright ]
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
The coolest thing is the description.
" The sign magazine for the sign writer and commercial sign shop"
That seemed to change around issue 11
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Yeah Bob, that's Gold!! Like the old saying..."if it holds up in black and white, it's good(or similar sentiments!) 16 pages...#1
John Lennig / SignRider
Posted by Terry Baird (Member # 3495) on :
I had every single issue stacked neatly under my work table and used them every day to stimulate a little magic. A fire took care of that in 1998. Now my inspiration starts at 2000. Oh well... it's still better that nothing. Great windfall Bob!
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
My collection starts at 102. The very month I started my business. I've read everyone from cover to cover. I'd love to buy the back issues some day.
You must be thrilled. I'm glad to hear they are in the hands of someone that appreciates them.
Suelynn
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
Jill posts..."you lucky dog"??
the one who just found an original Atkinson?????
uhh
sorry girl..yew caint have em all!
Posted by Wayne Osborne (Member # 4569) on :
WOW Great stuff !..Now Please share all the good bits with us poor souls with a lesser collection !
Posted by Dave Levesque (Member # 4374) on :
Man, what a great gift, I just started getting them a few months ago, and only three issues in and after a about a month from receiving the mag. I start to go through SignCraft withdraws. I guess I'm going to have to start ordering some back issues, to get my fix a little earlier.
Your right absolute Gold, enjoy em'
Dave
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Some of the coolest things so far beyond the designs and lettering eye candy is he stuff for sale. Like the ad for an adjustable sign writers stool, or the hand crafted Sign painters kit made out of wood from Dick Blick for $185.00.
Also the oh so young photos of a lot of heads that still frequent this site, Like the 1990 issue with Steve & Barb Shortreed on the cover.
I have to say they dont look too much different than today!
As we are thrusted faster and faster into digital sign making this recent windfall was allows me to see, read and feel about a time in this industry that I'll never have the pleasure of experiencing my self. I still feel I came to this career on the tail end of the best years of signwriting so this will be fun to explore.
I'll try to post some of the older tips and tricks because they are extremely fun to read.
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
Consider it your History Channel in print!
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
To those who have just discovered SignCraft in the last few years, just think how us old timers felt when we saw the first issue. Up until then the only journal was Signs of the Times and they mainly covered the electric and outdoor industry, although there were a few articles for "sign writers".
SignCraft and the Letterheads movement propelled our craft into a new era. Tod Swormstedt was very instrumental in getting Signs of the Times magazine to cover more of the commercial shops and fully supported the Letterheads.
In my opinion, the main reason for the success of SC is that the guys running the show are sign people rather than journalists. The McIltrots saw a need and began to gather information about putting together a journal for the rest of us. Those first issues were assembled on a ping-pong table in the garage of the McIltrots' grandparents. They had to learn about the printing and publishing business from scratch, just the way we learned our craft.
Tom still looks at the magazine with the eye of a sign painter and that makes all the difference in the world.
In the beginning the magazine was black and white because it cost $1,500 PER PAGE to produce it in color. And it was a quarterly publication. Those early writers and contributors received no compensation - they did it out of their love for the business. The McIltrots were also still trying to operate a sign business and publish the magazine in the evenings.
At some point the writers began to receive compensation for their contributions - my first check was $15.00. Some of my heroes, like Mike Jackson and Bob Behounek have a written articles for every issue from almost the beginning.
What amazes me is that there are sign folks in my area (and all over the world) who don't subscribe or have no interest in the magazine at all. One time I showed an issue to person who was opening a franchise shop in my area and he said, "Oh yeah, they showed us how to do that stuff in our training session." I guess he already knew how to do it all.
Some of my most enjoyable times are when I sit down and just review some old issues. There's a gold mine in there.
If you really appreciate SignCraft, why don't you drop Tom and the staff a note and let them know. It will lift their day.
