The billboard (July-Dec 1896)

in Billboard fldvertijii)^ FUB£.1SHSI> UONTHXrV AT «2T East Eighth Street, Cindnnati, O^ IT. S. A. BY BIIXBOARS ADVERTISING CO, JAMES H. HENNEQAN, Manager. Subscription, Jij»Per Year, In Advance. ADVERTISING RATES: Adveitisements trUl he published at the uul- fornt rate o£ twren^-five cents per agate line, except in the classified columns, -where special rates prevail. Our terms are cash. BinSoardAdveriistn^ is soldin London aiUna's. Exchange, s? Charinff Cross, and at American Adxertisit^ IfeTBSpaper Agemy, Trafalgar BuOd- tngsi JVortAumderluTut Ave^ Ur. C. JnHtris, at Bretatufs,i7 Avenue del Opera. The Tirade sup- plied by aU If ems Companies. SemittanceslumldSemadebyi3u9ut,tostojBiceor express mm^ order, or reg^ered letter. The Editor cannot undertake to return unsolicited manuscript. Ifhen U is ttecessary io mire us the instructions and copyjor advertisements, great saving in the matter of telegraph tolls may Be had ^recourse to the Donaldson Cif her. Entered as Secofid-Class Matter, at the Cincinnati, - Ohio, PoU Offic e, June sglh, jSgs. JULY I, i8g6. DtfFEBENT bill posters doubtless hold different opinions as to -vrhat sbonld con- stitute an ideal association of bill posters. There is one point, however, on which it would seem that they should agree unan- imously. We refer to the object of such an association—that is, its prime object. This shotild surely be the development and upbuilding oif the business of bill posting; or, in other words, the popular- izing of the poster. This principle should be the founda- tion upon which all the remainder of the edifice of organization is reared. Every clause in the constitution, every rule and by-law of the association should be framed with this object in view. No as- sociation can be really great or benefi- cial until this axiom is recognized and adopted- * * * IT is needless to observe that such an -asso<nation would not be a "dose" asso- ciation, and yet it could be protective; in fact, in this respect it would develop a degree of efficiency which a "close" as- sodation could never hope to attain, for in time 4t would embrace all bill posters of real worth and recognized standing, and having embraced them all, it could govern them all. The evils attending existing opposition wottld be reduced to the.minimum, and those controlling ex- clusive franchises would enjoy practical immunity from encroachment upon their domains, for the authority of such an as- sociatiott would be well-nigh absolute. A bill poster who could not obtain membership in such an organization would be an alien and an outcast. He wotdd be regarded by advertisers with suspicion and distrust, and would soon cease to be even an annoyance. BittBOARD ADVBRTISINC. The Inter-State Bill Posters' I»rotective Association is fashioned on these lines and though as yet only in its infancy, its wonderful growth and popularity demon- strate conclusively that bill posters in general believe that the right cue has finally been found. They believe that there mtist be some good and sufficient reason for the reluctance on the part of advertisers to adopt the boards. They argue, and rightly too, that no other medium is so potent, powerful and eco- ; nomical as the poster, and that therefore its worth should be generally recognized. The old association has had ample time and opportunity to prove its; value as a means to effect this end, and has failed, consequently they are anxious to give the new organization an opportunity At this writing 112 bill posters have written us, assuring us of their intention of attending the Chicago convention, and this number will probably be augmented considerably by the time the convention assembles. *** It is difficult to predict just what the result of the Associated BUI Posters* con- vention will be. While there is no deny- ing the strength of the Liberals, and their disgust with the manner in which the Association is now conducted, there is a probability that they will not muster their full strength at the meeting. Many are strongly disposed to abandon the fight, and go over bodily to the Inter- State, and this will weaken the move- ment materially. To offset this, however, the gang will suffer a corresponding fall- ing off in their supporters, who, fearing a stiff assessment will be levied on those in attendance to meet the large and pressing indebtedness of the organiza- tion, will also be missing. It seems im- possible for the two factions to avoid a clash, but the outcome in either event excites but little interest. OFFICIAL CALL. Chicago, July ist, 1896. To the officers and members of the Inter- state Bill Posters^ Protective Association, ctnd all Poster Printers arid .Advertising Contractors: GREETING— I respectftdly notify you herewith that the second annual convention of the Inter-State Bill Posters' Protective Asso- ciation, will take place at the Leland House Chicago, Ills., Julj- 21, 22 and 23, 1896. The meeting promises to be thor- oughly representative and also bids fair to be the laigest gathering of bill posters that has ever assembled in this or any other country. On this account, much weight; influence and authority will at- tach to the findings of the convention, and it is to be hoped that all members will report promptly at 10:30 A. M., Tues- day, July 21, when the preliminary ses- sion will be called to order, and arrange to stay until the meeting adjourns Thurs- day evening, July 23. Middlemen, advertising agents and poster printers, are cordially invited to attend, and are notified herewith that there will be no executive or star cham- ' ber sessions, from which they will be ex- cluded. On the contrary, no measures will be discussed or adopted which will not bear the brightest light of day and the most free and open discussion. Fur- thermore, visitors may rely' upon being received with the utmost courtesy and hospitality. Business of the utmost importance to the craft at large, will be transacted. Respectfully, P. F. SCHAEFER, C1.ARENCE E. Rdney, Pres't. Sec'y, Waukegan, Ills. July, 1896. CHICAGO* THE LELAND HOUSE. Inter-State Bill Posters' Convention July 21, 22 and 23. American posters are the best posters in all the world. Some few cranks and critics P) prate wisely of Cheret in France, and Beardsly in England; but America has Asa Cassidy, Harry Ogden, Dan Smith, Gus Bandlow, Harry Bridwell, Al Moores, and a half a dozen others, any one of whom towers head and shoul- ders above any living foreign artist An earnest effort will be made to reor- ganize the International Association of Distributors, at Chicago. It is to be hoped that it will meet with success. There is a wonderful field "and oppor tunity for this form, of publicity, but it needs to be fostered and developed. This can never be accomplished without associated effort and united action. Many existing abases must be corrected—and they must be corrected by those now en- gaged in the business. It is high time they united and agreed upon some general plan to this end. Distributing is second in importance only to bill posting, and the wonder is that it has not long since received more attention. The most valuable location to any re- tailer in any town is his store front and windows. It is needless to add that they should always be live advertisements. George Chockley, doing sign tacking for the James Pyle Pearline Co., was ar- rested -in Asheville, North Carolina, last week and fined I8.50, which amount was increased by $5 lawyer's fees, for posting the city without a license. Chockley claimed that "tacking" was not posting but failed to so convince the authorities. .. To allow the deficit created by the gang to remain longer unprovided for, will amount to practical repudiation. The floating indebtedness of the A. B. P. A. is large and imposing. Many of their obligations are long since past due. Will they pay or repudiate? "All roads lead to Chicago." -It is intimated that this phrase was coined by some modest denizen of the Windy City, but just at this time there can be no doubt of its verity, at least as far-as bill posters are concerned. Throughout the length and breadth of the land the eyes of the knights of the brush are turned towards the future metropolis of the nation, and at 10:30 A. M., on Tuesday, July 21, when President Schaefer, with gavel in hand faces the convention, he will look out upon the largest gathering of bill posters that has ever come together in the history of the craft. Never before has so much interest, so much zeal, earnestness and enthusiasm been manifested in a convention as has obtained on this occasion. It does seem as if every member of the oiganization had pulled off his coat and worked for its succes, for the past month. On another page we give a list of those bill posters who wiU be present. At this writing it comprises over one hundred names and every mail that reaches us augments the list. Examine it and you will find that they are coming from far and near. The East, the West, the North and the South will all be represented. I,arge cities and small towns will both turn out strong, and be- sides bill posters, there will be middlemen, advertising agenU and many advertisers who are interested in bill posting. The poster printers will also be there in force and taken altogether, the meet- ing is likely to prove not only the largest and most thoroughly representative on record but the most important ever held. The Leland House is one of the best hotels in Chicago, splendidly located and admirably conducted. It offers a special rate to bill posters. The reception committee will see that all visitors secure hotel accommodations at rates within their means. All inquiries iii regard thereto should be addressed to the Chairman, Mr. P. F. Schaefer, 395 W. Harrison St. Special badges of handsome design have been prepared for delegates and members which will prove an open se- same to all places of amusement, and be- sides, all remaining over until IMday will enjoy a day's outing replete with enter- tainment of varied nature including a ride on the lake and culminating in a big banquet in the evening. Everybody attending is thereby assured of an enjoyable visit and a profiuble so- journ. REDUCED RATES. All railroads east of Idaho will make a rate of one and one-third regular fare for the round-trip to members and delegates attending the Inter-State convention at Chicago, July 21-23, 1896. When yOH pay your fare tell the ticket agent where you are going and get his receipt upon a certificate, which is furnished free of charge upon application. ,: July, 1896. BILLBOARD ADVERTISING. AI^D n vet Any7 person unbiased by prejudice can habitually read the columns of Printers" The Day Advertising Company, of Dayton. Wash., have splendid references among them a senator, a judge and a bank president. R / WINTERS CO'Vaacr^^^^ U./?. Bl/f/jVirr. A SHANTY-TOWN IDYL. HAND PAINTED POSTERS. WHAT SHALL WE CALL THEM? The many awkward ways we have of expressing this unique and comparatively new commodity we think calls for a special name. Siebe & Green call them "lithograph paintings," which is rather a misnomer. "Hand Painted Poster" is lengthy and does* not "tell it all." I offer the word Pttintograph, which I think is simple, appropriate and expres- sive. Lets call them "Paintographs." One of the first things that strikes the eye on the levee in St. Louis-is "Battle Axe Plug, The Largest Piece of Good Tobacco Ever Sold for Ten Cents," etc. Painted in huge letters on a background of blue on nearly all the elevators and business buildings yet standing amid the general wreckage at that pl^ce, it stands as a monument to the enterprise and in- genuity of these extensive advertisers. While St. Louis people are ip no mood to read advertisements, now it is impossi- ble to help seeing them, and these ads will in all probability sell Battle .^.x-e Plug long after St. Louis is straightened out of the chaos that now reigns, where prosperous business was once carried on. —H. C. Storrs in Printers" Ink. red-handed in falsifying the circulation statistics. The Argrus JVcu's, of Crawfordsville, Ind., branded on the oath liar in display type by Printers" Ink, of May 13, and still bill posters and advertisers of that kind are the only unreliable kinds. Twenty-four newspaper liars caught in the last eight years, ten in the past year, and two months more to hear from! Nothing said about those who were not caught. It seems the craft is retrograd- ing, getting worse as they are getting older. Oh tempora! Oh mores' Oh H—1! ta"",rh;:s\"o?J'»re;^'-°"^"^"°™^"«^'""-''-^'^-««^^ oa1--™^""° ^ '^"'"^ ^ "*^'" '**" °" **"• Gilhooleys door. whUe that lady was (And the goat looked on from above.) We have before us the Modem Sis^n Writer and Up-to-Date Oma mentor, I2.50, R. Henderson, Publisher, Newark, N. J., a book worthy of a prominent place in any sign shop. AT IT AGAIN. Poor little schoolmaster, he has had to dig up again one of his "boys" caught ^.n,';^,^"''"""'''' ^ f=".^^f' ^rafe". I »"" conveu this uuprepossessing. nude figure into something more attractive." (Paints on.) ^^ «"<; usurcinio ScRUBBiNs—in deep admiration—"You're a peach' " (Mrs. Gilhooley has entered the rear door of the rflla. and the goat approacheth ) D-ArBER-"You see, the female figure is always more- pproacnetn., PRUDES IN KANSAS. A committee of the Topeka Ministerial Union appeared before the city council last night and asked for the passage of an ordinance prohibit- ing the display in public of show bills and pic- tures which presented the female form divine unclothed in shirt waist and skirts. Speeches were made by Rev. Richard Wake, Rev. G D Olden and Mrs. Van Cleave. The matter was referred to a special committee.—Aoiuar Citr Journal. To^ay J. T. Elmore, of New York. National Solicitor of the Inter-State Bin Posters- Associa- tion, was in towncalUng upon Secretary e E. Runey. and looking over matters preliminary to the national convention of biu postefsthat is tobeheldattheX.eland Hotel in Chicago July 21-23, inclusive. Indications now are that the genial junior member of the firm of Runey & ilonwill receive the National Secretaryship at the coming convention, a posiUon he Is by ex- perience and atiainmenu well qualified to fill —Herald, Waukegan, III. Ink, a journal for advertisers published at 10 Spruce Street, New York, in the interests of The Geo. P. Rowell Co., otherwise the American Newspaper Di- rectory, in a jolly way called the "Little Schoolmaster," and fail to become im- bued with the idea that he, the "Little Schoolmaster," is not constantly doubt- ing the statements of his most interest- ing flock, will say so, I will then try to be good and never say another word "agin it." The very "overcoat of the Little Schoolmaster" is branded with doubt in the two issues of May 6 and 13. "Striking !• —!• |»i»_,«. -???I In advertising, as in every other branch of business, there is no substitute for an ardent, sincere, thorough-going earnest- ness. SPREADING OUT. The Southern Bill Posting Co., with headquarters in this dty is spreading out and now covers aU the territory for a ! hundred miles or more around Knoxville Manager E. C. Barnes has just returned from Asheville, N. C, where he secured the billboard privileges of that city. He also secured the advertising for the thea- tre at that place. This company stand leader in their line and now covers more territory than any other advertising company in the south and have wrought wonderful changes in their line of advertising in this city and surrounding towns since their organiza- tion in 1892. Many holes and unsighUy places have been hidden from view by elegant billboards covered with imposing posters and large bulletins di^laying beautifully painted signs which now line our prominent streets, car lines and thor- oughfares and many rough blank walls have been made pleasing to the eye by catchy advertising signs.—A'w.rz7V/# Tri- bune.