The billboard (July-Dec 1895)

10 BILLBOARD ADVERTISING is the Official Organ of the Illinois Bill Posters 7 Association. \ Colorado to the front! It produced over $100,000,000 in Gold and Silver During the Past Year. Advertise your Goods to People who have the Money to Buy. Correspond with The Curran Bill Posting & Distributing Co. Who Control the Bill and Bulletin Boards in Denver, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and surrounding Towns. And who can Contract to POST, PAINT or DISTBIBUTE Colorado, "Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico. General Office, Denver, Colorado. "ONLY A BILL POSTER." By OEO. W. STEVENSON, (A BROTHER. " PASTE.") Dedicated to the International BUI Fosters'' Conven- tion, held at Boston July h, i83i. Only a Bill Poster, with bucket and paste. Working for bread, with all possible baste. No time to think, no time for day-dreams; The world thinks him dnmb, just what he seems. He runs np the ladder with dextrous pace, Spreads out a bill, and, minding the face. Matches the shoulders on to the head. Leaving it perfect, with two brush's spread. He lays out the stands, rolls up the sheets ; Giving kind words to all whom he greets. As they sing out, "What's up to^ay?" '* Hyde & Behman in specialty," you'Hhear himsay. Or John McCullough as Richard; Keene as Mac- - beth; John Raymond in "Fresh," so the bill say'th, '*Mary " in "Ingomar ;" Ada Gray in "East Lynne," Charles Davis as Joslin," (a terrible skin). Charles Gardner in "Karl," or Maginley's "Square Man," " Square Man " is a hit, ( beat it who can). Robert Van Winkle as Rip McWade, ( "Tho he acts well it never has paid). Billy Power, the "Galley;" Harry Webber as "Nip;" Minnie Palmer, as "Sweetheart;" Sir Joseph as "Rip." So he answers the questions, and speeds on his way; Bread and butter is wanted, no time for delay. On he speeds with his work—bent on the gains— Not a minute for thought; no use for brains Other than those to get the " stand " square. With streamer at top, the rest pretty fair. The dates and the blanks equally spaced, " Cnt down at the end," and properly placed To suit the eye of an agent or two. On their first season out, and too utterly "new." He may have thoughts would astonish the world; He's no time to tell'them, so he is hurled Bang up against the rough end of life ; It's "paste"orbe starved in this world of strife. There's a class in this world of the Miss Nancy kind. Who turn up their noses (the largest part of their mind ). For he is "only a Bill Poster," without any brain. Crowding through life for positive gain. " Only a Bill Poster," without any brain, " Slinging out paste " for positive gain; ■While the lah-de-dah Nancy gets out of his track. If the BUI poster passes, for fear of contact. "We on make better brains with our mustiest flour. Laid out in the sun and baked for an hour. Than these poor devils, -with pomp and con- ceit, ■ ' . Who, meeting a Bill Poster, cross the street. " Only a Bill Poster," yet he thanks God, Who made men alike—to end in the sod, That the fool sleeps as well as the man full of thought. It ends in the grave, then—nothing—but naught. Then brothers in paste don't get sad at your fate. Yon can think for yourselves, and though you may hate The ass who turns up his aesthetic nose, tike you, in the end, he " turns up his toes." And when we get through with paste, bucket and flour. Care and work laid aside, and it comes the last hour; "We'll each drop a tear for the other who's gone. And let the world go on with laughing and scorn. LATER.-BY SIXTEEN YEARS. Respectfully dedicated to the International Associa- tion at Detroit July is, 1895. The genial souls of other days, The Posters of ten greeted; Have passed beyond the need of paste, And-at His right hand are seated—(or otherwise.) Poor John McCullough. bright '•Billy" Power, McCauley and Fowler, have met the last hour; John Raymond, too,with Barrett and Booth; George Knight and Forepaugh, old age and youth. Barnum and Scanlan, have all passed away. Leaving old fogies, like myself and Sam Clay, Still bossingthe brush or daubing with paste; (With not so much vim, nor nigh the same haste). For the years have been creeping up our back hair. Leaving traces of gray, with wrinkles of care Onouronce "noblebrows" and ourcheeks oncesored; Are shriveled and shrunken, like a codfish gone dead. Yet, our old hearts oft thrill with the slang Of the old-time actor, or the Bill Posting "gang" Tho' memories keen, for more'n sixty odd years, Tell of hopes crushed, of hearts full of tears. For many of those we've known in the past, We trust where they've gone, they're leads in the "cast" And when Sam and I get the right " cue " We'll throw down the brush and come and jojnyou. To you -who are living we advisedly say— Just keep on living,"as long as "'twill pay;" Foryoa can't just tell what you'll get after this; So the fun you get here won't come amiss. Now good-bye daubers, comrades in paste. Be good to yourselves, each to his taste. And when you next meet, if you miss me and Sam, rm sure you won't say, "I don't give a d—m." St. Louis, November 30,1895. Editor Billboard Advertising, Cincinnati, Ohio: Dear Sir— Enclosed find check for a 2% inch quadruple column space ad in your Christmas number. Set up the enclosed copy as attractive as you can and oblige. We congratulate you on the way billboard Advertising has come to to the front, and ourselves, on the .good work it is doing for the craft. A Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year are the wishes of Yours sincerely, St, Louis Bill Posting Co., Chas. K. Hager, Sec'y. Charge For Dates. New Rochelle-N. Y.. Nov. 24, 1895. Editor Billboard Advertising, Cincinnati, Ohio: Dear Sir— Will you give information in regard to counting dates, when a bill poster is doing work for a theatre, circus, or traveling company, as I have had disputes with agents in this par- ticular. Some say it is right to charge for them, others hold it is not. Please give the desired information, as other bill posters may have had the same trouble, and a decision from you would be authority. Respectfully yours, Geo. E. LeVeniss. It is right to charge for all dates, it matters not. -whether pasted under or over regular paper.— [EdJ Modern Science.—Gilhooly; It is astonishing what progress has been made by science during the last few years. It is wonderful in how many instances, thanks to science, that the genuine article can be imitated. Gus de Smith—Yes, a New York firm adver- tises for artificial flower boys. How will an ar- tificial boy do for a triumph of modern science? —Texas Si/lings. Bill Posters' Notes. The following explanation is due Mr. Kilw. A. Stahlbrodt, viz: In conformity with the resolutions adopted by the New State Association, Mr. Stahlbrodt ordered his advertisement out, but the form con- taining his advertisement, had been sent to press the day before his letter reached us. The same is also true of Mr. Castner. "Hote" is out of the New York State Association, and is glad of it. After voting not to accept work from anyone except Stahlbrodt, the various members of the New York State Associa- tion very promptly went home and wrote the O. J. Gude Company for work. Mc Allister, of Troy, \Vhitmier & Filbrick, of Buffalo, the newly elected president, M. Castner, of Syracuse, in fact nearlv every member except the Rochester Bill Posting Co., and J. Ballard Carroll, have violated their resolution. Slick Sam Pratt and his fine Italian hand are as smooth as ever. If gall were gold, Edward A. Stahlbrodt would be as rich as Croesus. When a man has the sublime nerve to post bills and paint signs in the Garden of the Gods, his opinion is well worth consideration. In speaking on the sub- ject of sen-ice rendered the advertiser, Mr. Curran says: "The average bill poster should take more care in building his boards. Use good lumber in the first place, as it is cheaper in the long run; and if he should happen to have old boards that are up, should pull them down and put new ones in their places. "If he is afraid to pull a board down, thinking he cannot get it up again, he should spend a little money on canvas or muslin and put the paper on top of that." There never was anything more true. The advertiser who sees his paper on rickety old boards, torn and flapping around in the wind, immediately sets his wits to work to devise another method of reaching the public. Good service is de- manded, and those furnishing it are well repaid for the extra effort and expense. Louis V.Hcnostlc«. JcstPi* A Ka... '@/^ BILLBOARD ADVERTISING is the Official Organ of the MIQIJIGAN eiir^f^s^s' Association. 11 OEOROE W. RIFE. "Some men arc born great, others achieve creatness, and some have greatness thrust upon Uicm.". So says the familiar adage. The great- est, or rather the most successful, men of our age are those who by their own individual efforts siul indomitable pluck have bravely battled against every obstacle and firmly grasped the topmost round in the ladder of fame with a determination to maintain that coveted position. The subject of our illustration, George William Kile, was born in February, 1861, in Baltimore, Md.,and is now less than 35 years of age. In his youthful days he manifested a spirit of in- dependence that gave promise of self-reliant manhood. He obtained his early education in the public schools of his native city, and after- wards took a collegiate course at the Southern Ilusiness College, receiving a diploma from that institution in 1875, when he was but 14 years of age. His initial experience in mercantile life was that of stock clerk for a clothing house. The duties of that position did not prove con- genial, nor satisfy his restless and ambitious spirit. He secured a clerkship in a cotton bro- ker's office and shortly made a change from that Iiosition to the shoe business. It was about this time that he began his theatrical career in the capacity of doorkeeper at Front Street Theatre, the duties of which required his attention only during the evening. His intuition for affairs theatrical at once de- veloped to the exclusion of all other business considerations, an3 being deeply impressed with the truth that he had discovered his life's voca- tion, he abandoned mercantile pursuits and established a dramatic and vaudeville agency in Baltimore. The stock company system was at that time in vogue. Mr. Rife prospered in his new enterprise and transacted a general dra- matic business for the western and southern theatres. He discontinued his theatrical agency in 1876 when the organization of traveling combinations became popular. In 1877 he was advance agent for a leading organization and continued "on the road" for two seasons. In 1879 he received an appointment in the office of the Secretary of the Treasury, at Washington, and at the expiration of his term of office, he, by natural inclination, again renewed his acquaintance with the theatrical world by accepting the management of the Academy of Music in Wheeling, TV. Va. He successfully conducted that theatre for one season, and in 1881 re- turned to Baltimore to accept the position of treasurer of Kernan's Monumental Theatre, in which capacity he continued until September, 18S9, together with being the assistant manager of Kernan's Baltimore and Washington theatres. At the opening of the season of 18S9 Mr. Rife was appointed general xnanagcrof Mr. Kernan's united theatrical enterprises. In 1S86, three years prior to his appointment as general man- ager, Mr. Rife had purchased the bill posting business of Messrs. Wachtel & Co., of Baltimore, which at that time had been established for seven years, in opposition to the city bill posters, A. T. Houck & Co. Then commenced a nip and tuck rivalry between these competing firms. At no period of his existence was the grit and de- termination of the younger competitor made more evident than during his fight against the city bill posters. All offers and suggestions of compromise were rejected. Mr. Rife finally pur- chased the entire interests and bill posting equip- ment of A. T. Houck & Co., which at once gave him full sway and a monopoly of the bill posting and paste manufacturing business in Baltimore, controlling all billboard space in the city and adding thousands of square feet in every desir. able location. His progressive ideas and busi- ness genius suggested many improvements in the methods of facilitating his now extensive and exclusive bill posting field. He invented and had constructed a bill poster's wagon, which in outward appearance somewhat resembles a police patrol. The compact and itiKenious arrangement of this wagon provides divisions or sections for posters and bills of va- rious sizes, buckets, paste, brushes,water and all other necessary appliances. Mr.Rifc'scntcrpriscs had'now assumed such extensive proportions t lint he found it both practicable and necessary to conduct his bill posting business undera part- nership. In 18S7 he formed a co-partnership with Mr. George II. Houck, under the firm name or Rife & Houck. In August, 1890. Mr. Rife joined with Messrs. Keriian and Houck in the purchase of the unex- pired lease of the Holliday Street Theatre, Balti- more, from Mr. J. W. Albaugh, and Mr. Rife at once became its manager, with the firm of Ker- nau, Rife and Houck, as proprietors. In August, 1891, Mr. Rife, in conjunction with Mr. J. Albert Cassedy, purchased the extensive printing plant of the late Wm. U. Day; this business is now conducted under the name of the Wm. U. Day Printing Co. The firm make a specialty of publishing theatrical and resort programs, and control the following issues. Albaugh's Lyceum Theatre, Kernan's Howard Auditorium, Holliday Street Theatre, Kernan's Monumental Theatre, Tolchester Item, Bay Ridge Journal, Baltimore B. B. and Score Book, also Kernan's Lyceum Theatre program, and the Bay Ridge journal, of Washington, D. C. In December, 1893, Messrs. Rife and Houck purchased the old-established and popular Fry's Theatrical Express, adding thereto the feature of local or city express business. Their equip- ment is most extensive, including as it does every style of vehicle, from light express wagons to massive trucks for moving scenery, &c. Short Talks on Advertising. Advertising, like charity, begins.at home. In. other words, to advertise a store; nrst get your store There are so ; many horrid examples of how not to keep a store, that enumerationbf the different bad ways is hopeless. It is. useless to^. •advertise outside of the store and not inside. The first requisites in a system of advertising / are cleanliness and order, general lightness in/ the appearance of the store. After that comes courtesy, and the quality of the goods. It is hard to tell which of these is the more important. A pleasant/cordial, but not obtrusive and obsequi- ous, manner makes and holds trade. No matter how insignificant-the transaction, it doesn't take any longer to be amiable than to be crusty. There is such athingas being too pleasant—familiar— that is not gco J. It leads to a lack/of respect. A merchant should always maintain his dignity in the store and in his advertising. Advertising should be the bulletin of the store—a mirror in which the store's characteristics and-goods may *m. QEORGE W. RIFE*. Those who know Mr. Rife and meet him every day, have often wondered how it is possible for him to manage and direct so many business en- terprises for himself and others. It is, however, an incontrovertible truth that he gives personal supervision to every detail of his various busi- ness interests, besides managing the affairs of Holliday St. Theatre and Mr. Kernan s Monu- mental Theatre and Howard Auditorium of Bal- timore, and Lyceum Theatre of Washington. D. C. In 1SS1 Mr. Rife married Miss Fanpie Steven- son, of Baltimore, and is now the father of a trio of bright and interesting children. Among the various orders and organizations with which Mr. Rife is actively associated, he is distinctively prominent in the Masonic Fraternity, he being a member of Joppa Lodge, No. 131, A.F.&A.M.; Adoniram Chapter, (Royal Arch Masons), No. 21; Monumental Commandery, (M. K. T.), No. ?, and Bounii Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; he is also a member of Baltimore Lodge, No 7, B. P. O. B. As may be readily surmised. Mr. Rife has a legion of warm and earnest friends, and is everywhere greeted with that cordiality which gives evidence of the popular esteem and respect in which his character as a man and a f[entlcman is estimated. In social and business ife his example and integrity as a self-made nun is worthy of emulation. be reflected. If the advertising is good and the. store bad, the advertising cannot possibly pay. People may be drawn to the store once, but they will not return.— Troy Press. When you first take home an alarm clock you chuckle to yourself and think the alarm is loud enough-to wake the dead, and that'you will never be late to office again on account of over- sleeping. The first morning, or two or three mornings, perhaps, it works like a charm, but after that you don't hear it at all, and sleep on as serenely as before. Now, we have often thought that if a man had an alarm clock that would make a different noise every morning, a clock, for instance, that -would yell " Fire " one morning, "Murder" the next, "What'll it be, gentlemen?" the next, and so on, he would never fail to wake up. It's the same way with an ad. It works the first time allright; if it is sufficiently loud aud strong, perhaps, it will work a timeor two more, but after that the public sleeps on as serenely as before. Make it say a different thing every day, and watch the result.— Brains. are" paste brush artists. .MEETING OF INTER-STATE BILLPOSTERS. Meet at the Oshkosh, Wis., and Strengthen Their Organization—Some of Those /.j Who were Present. There are a lot of princely good fellows at the Palmer House to-day who are sandwiching a considerable amount of jollity in an extensive amount of business as they go along. There is Clarence E. Runey, who is familiarly known as "ILittle^Annie Rooney " among his associates, and Charles B. Kittredge who is dubbed "Kitty" by nearly everybwrjwthat, knows him. Mr.Ru- ney^s the editorio*the Waukegan i,\\\.) Journal. Then there is P. F. Schaef er who is president of the Cook county republican marching club, the finest equipped /political organization in the United States, .which will Jeave in a body next Tuesday for Atlanta. - There also two Williams, both named John and each having E as a middle initial. One is the. manager of the Oshkosh opera house, and the otheris the superintendent of the R.J. Gunning-Co.,'the largest paint and sign company in die world-4 concern that em- ploys fifty-twp crews of men in Chicago alone to decorate-fcu-lleiin boards, dead walls and fences. Incidenfly-there is a Case from Oshkosh." These gentlemen, and many others, are in the city to attend a meeting of the Inter-State Bill Posters' Protective Association, a call for which was issued by P. B. Haber, the third vice-presi- derit. The meeting is being held in the parlors of the Palmer House. The object of today's meeting is to.-thoroughly "outline the policy of the association for the benefit of non-members who have been invited to attend and join. -The Inter-State is a comparatively new organization, but so successful are*its -methods that they ap- peal 10 advertisers, and the secretary has re- ceived already 2895 answers from firms who desire toadvertise. It is the purpose of the bill posters to unite not only for their own protec tion, but to guarantee conscientious service to the advertiser. The association aims to embrace in its membership the owners of billboards in small towns as well as large cities, for advertis- ing is placed by large firms in proportion to the amount of territory that can be covered. All members are required to give a bond for a per* formance of work entrusted to them, and the advertiser is furnished with a list of responsible men. their facilities and prices. In turn, the members are furnished with a list of all adver- tisers whose credit is not good. The association also employs two traveling inspectors, who visit the various cities containing members, and if the member has been negligent in his work he is reported to the association and subsequently loses business. This has been found necessary, as many advertisers have had just cause to find fault with the manner in which posters and bills have been distributed. The new order of things tends to give the advertiser confidence in the association, which they desire to employ, as many of the heaviest advertisers in the country are now sharing their business with bill posters instead of giving it wholly to the newspapers as formerly. Mr. Runey, in an address made to the associa- tion this afternoon, poiuted out the necessity of giving advertisers square service. He also recited many interesting facts and figures. Said he: "The Royal Baking Powder Company are currently reported as having spent $600,000 an- nually for newspaper advertising. During the past year one-half of this amount was placed in the hands of the bill posters. For Pyle's Pearl- ine $300,000 a year is" spent in newspapers and $60,000 in poster work. Walter Baker's Cocoa is advertised to the extent of a million a year in newspapers and magazines, and fully a quarter of a million on billboards and walls." Interesting figures were given in regard to street-car advertising, which is largely con- trolled by the bill posters, Bach car generally contains twenty advertisements, and to put one advertisement in each car in alt the principal cities, costs $100,000 annually. On that basis street-car advertising alone yields a coot two million each year. The Barnum Circus pays $7,580 in order to get thorough service in Chicago prior to its two -weeks' season.— fondulac Com- monwealt/i, Novembers, 1S95 Theory is all very well in its way. But it's practice that makes an advertise- ment pay.