Billboard advertising (Jan-June 1898)

THE BILLBOARD Sign* $ Sign Painters Address all communications for this department to '""■ * JR. H Fovb. Pidterington, Ohio. The time-was when artists ef note scorned not to try their 'prentice hand at the painting of signs, and many a Royal Academician gave the public a lion or a unicorn, a magpie or a cockatrice, the last fabulous animal, supposed to have been hatched from a cock's egg by a toad, be- ing for some unknown reason quite a favorite, and represented as a serpent with a rooster's head. Among these painters „ were Charles Calton, one of the original Royal Academicians; Samuel Wade, who delighted in figures of Falstaff and other Shakespearean characters; Hogarth and Richard Wilson; while the vintner's inn 'J at Hayes, Kent, boasted a grape-bordered z'J'St George and the Dragon," executed by Millais.— Lippincolf s. Notes. Paper and wood pulp letters, to which is added a binder, such as resin, shellac : or glue, dissolved in bichromate of potash, is being made to largely take the place of : metal letters. According to an exchange, they are made as follows: A mass is 'made of wood pulp and a binder, and then modeled in suitable molds byhy- draulic pressure, then painted with oil colors and varnish', which renders them proof against atmospheric influence. . Every sign painter's shop should be provided with a. smooth stone slab on which to grind colors; also another smaller stone to hold in the hand. The dry pigment is then mixed stiff in oil and a small portion placed on the large stone; then with a circular motion it is rubbed and ground with the smaller stone. This is the way our forefathers ground their paint. It will be found quite handy in grinding up otherwise good paint which has become lumpy or stiff. Some sign painters complain that they cannot get a good white, one that will not ' turn dingy when exposed to the air. Take old linseed oil that has nearly turned into varnish, and grind into this equal parts of zinc (white) and white lead and thin to a working consistency with * tarpentine. The postomce authorities should be heartily praised by all interested in legiti- mate advertising for the stand they have lately taken against the fake puzzle ads and the so-called missing word and letter contests which stare at the readers of many of the cheap monthly papers. The reader's chance of winning a prize is about as slim as finding Captain- Kidd's buried treasures. The missing letter business is very rank. The list is made up probably of ten or twenty geographical names, which, to all appearances, the missing letters are easily supplied, but the maker of the list is very careful to put in four or five words which may be filled in differently and still be a geographical name. The changes which may be made in a list containing four such words are many. Hence, if you should get a prize you must have each name as they have it. which is nearly impossible. Take B**t*n, 'for instance. Nine hundred and ninety- nine will say it is Boston, while it may be on their list as Barton or Burton or some ether name. So you see how much - chance there is of securing a prize. We hope the authorities will weed it out, for it is this very kind of advertising that makes it so hard for legitimate and re- sponsible advertisers to get adequate re- turns to pay them. A writer in Varnish says : All greens may be darkened by the addition of black or blue, and lightened by the addition of yellow or white. To darken blues, add Prussian blue or black; to lighten, add white. To darken vermillion, add Indian red, venitian red, umber or Vandyke brown, according to the shade required; to lighten, add white. To darken Indian red or venitian red, add umber or Vandyke brown; to lighten,. add vermillion. To darken umber or Vandyke brown, add black; to lighten, add Indian or venitian red. Mr. J. T. Fritch, of Kutztown, Pa., is putting up a bulletin and bill posting ser- vice between Allentown and Reading, on the P. R. R. There are between thirty and forty towns and villages between these two cities. He intends to cover the whole line between these two points. Mr. F. seems to be the right man in the right place. There are no better locations than towns between cities. Mr. Fraley, of Lompac, Cal., is erect- ing quite an extensive service along the Pacific Coast. He figures on reaching a population of 350,000. Several others are also engaging in the business. We cannot see why a man with a string of towns cannot make a success of it. Printing and Decorating, commenting on an article which lately appeared in these columns in reference to painting signs on roofs that are painted with as- phaltum (varnish-coal tar combinations), says that the manufacturer of a product known to the trade as "Onresco" will kill the adds in. the roof paint for the time being, and that when white lead is put on this will not turn in color. We have had no experience with onresco, but as it is a water paint we are inclined to the opinion that it will not last long enough to meet the general requirements. The most of such signs are wanted to last as long as possible, and not merely for advertising signs intended to be painted out in a month or so. We can offer noth- ing more than we have. Having corre- sponded with some of the best painters in the country, we have ascertained that the problem of applying any kind of paint on it is yet to be solved. Paint sticks fairly well in most cases, but will eventually change color. In some cases it turns to a dirty green; in other in- stances it partakes of a yellowish cast; in most cases it fades out entirely, the color- ing matter in the pigment being entirely destroyed. I have been experimenting with zinc, but so far have had but little success. Linseed oil under the zinc does not do much good The fumes come through the oil. . Brushes may be cleaned with carbolic add, which is said not to effect the bris- tles as much as the alkili washes, such as salsoda, potash, etc. Linseed oil will mix with salsoda water, lime water, Babbet's potash water, com- mon lye water or vitrol water. In fact, will -mix with all the alkilis that are strong enough. ! A shellac filler may be made by cutting shellac in salsoda and then mixing with linseed oil. This filler is excellent to put on surfaces that are affected by grease. Pigment may be stirred into it. ENGLAND. The Painters Magazine says: To detect adulterations of white lead, dilute nitric acid with water and pour in white lead. If it is pure, it will dissolve completely therein, and the other substance will re- main. The residum is again treated with fresh nitric acid, least the first liquid might have become saturated with white lead. By strong heating, the white lead may be changed back into lead, in which case the chalk or the heavy spar will re- main as residue. Bronzing may be put on with stale te:r as a binder instead of varnish. It should then be varnished. Will last quite well. Art in advertising is all right when not overdone. The question of art in this case has its limits. The limit is measured by the excess of returns as compared with the cost. Have you ever tried the anti-kalsomine method in sign work that is used in some of the cheap carriage factories to get a smooth surface? It is done as follows: The surface is primed throughout with oil and a little of some kind of cheap earth pigment. The puttying is then done. The anti-kalsomine is mixed in hot water, and a coat is put on every twenty-four hours successively for four or five coats. Then a mixture of about two parts oil, three parts japan and one part turpentine is then flowed on. After dry- ing, it is then sandpapered, which gives a very smooth surface, similar to polished work. This method is durable. Anti- kalsomine may be obtained through your dealer. The products known as onresco, plas- tic 0 ' gypsine, which are of the nature of cement, all work well on brick walls, last quite well and do not cost more than one- fourth as much as a linseed oil paint. Answers to Correspondents. H. B. S.—Wants to know if there is any difference in the treatment of alumi- num bronze and other bronzes. None, except the size should be whitened with a little flake white or white lead. The best way to work bronzes of all kinds is to pnt on the size, and when it is dry, just so it shows the least perceptible tact, rub on the bronze with a dry rag, dipping the rag into the dry bronze. In this wise it is quicker and more evenly done. E. C.—Has been having trouble in get- ting posters to stick to painted surfaces. Wash your boards with a weak solution of salsoda water; when dry, put on the post- ers with a paste containing a little alum in solution. Another way is to rosin your boards. The idea is to destroy the gloss in the paint. Boards intended for posters should lie painted flat; that is, without gloss. This requires the paint to be heavily charged with pigment and tur- pentine. W. E. B.—Asks why some brands of white lead turn in color, producing a yel-. lowish cast The causes for this vagary are so numerous that it would fill several books to spedfy them all. Adulterations of all kinds are, no doubt, the principal ones; coarsely ground lead is another. Rain on fresh lead will yellow it. The following is from the.December it- - sue of The Bill Poster, London, England, the official organ of the United Bill Post- ers' Association, of Great Britain: "Towards the beginning of this month, we shall in all probability, see the publir. - tion of the prospectus of the colossal syi - dicate, about which there has lately been so much anxious enquiry and so much fluttering of the bill posting dovecote*. The scheme is one of vast magnitude, 11r.1l if successful its effects are likely to be far- reaching. We are rather diffident aboi t offering an opinion upon a scheme which is as yet not fully within our k::owltilj;i; and can not but think that the extremely hostile criticism with which the amalga- mation has been met by certain financial papers is inspired by spite and disappoint- ed hopes. The amalgamation seems to us perfect- ly legitimate so long as it does not aim at becoming a monopoly.- We are aware that a monopoly has been suggested, but with the warning of America before their eyes, we can not think that serious busi- ness men can aim at such a mark. Mon- opolies are good for some trades, but it is fallacy to suppose that they are good for all. For what should we see if competi- tion were abolished in all trades? They would all be endeavoring to grow rich at each other's expense, or, in plain words, they would be cutting each other's throats. But a strong organization, even if it re- solves itself into a partial monopoly, is sometimes of great assistance even to the weaker members of a trade. So far, however, as present advices go. there does not seem much need to fear any danger to the best interests of the trade. The combination will certainly be a strong one. About 170 businesses have been negotiated for. Some are already purchased, and the company holds options to purchase the remainder. Amongst the businesses thus combined together, are some of the best known in the United Kingdom. The proposed capital is a large one—some two million pounds ster- ling. There should be a prosperous career for a company with such resources if its prospectus is able to inspire confidence in the investing public, and with a strong directorate we do not see why the com- pany should not do so. The published list of district managers includes some of the men best known in the trade for .their intelligence, shrewdness and busi- ness capacity." The editor, Mr. C. G. Wright, in an able- leader entitled, "Divided We Fall," in the same issue, directs attention to incipient panic among the members at two widely different points and warns them of the consequences. His arguments are strong and forceful, and he displays great fore- sight and much wisdom in his very time- ly exhortation. We can not see, though, how the association is going to lire if Youde's Limited succeeds, and, further- more, we can not see any reason why it should exist. This powerful littlecltque Is called the New York (rang; Its members close and thick Bun the whole dog-gone shebang: SLOCOMB, PRATT, VRNBEUREN, HOFF, O'MEALIA, BRYAN, CARROLL, LEONARD, GUDE, FITCH. THE BILLBOARD C6CCCRS EDicoR. % !___ _^__ {{• Under this heading the publishers invite a <6 /|\ fi ee and full discussion ofanv and all mat- Ut Irrsof interest to advertisers billposters, dis- W ti-butors, sirn painters and Fail managers, W » when couched in courteous language. Of W (() council* da not necessarily endorse the views Mr fl> and opinions of our correspondents. «p £ta D££AAStfOAStfiStfiAAfiflSMW•%€» Denver. Colo.. Dec. 14, 1897. Kilitor Tim Billboard. Cincinnati. O. Dear Sir—In regard to raising prices in the smiil towns for bill porting, I for one think it would be a good idea, as the prices as they now •.land hardly p«y for the lumber, let alone the ground rent that they have to pay iu some places. I think for the present that the prices in the Urge cities are high enough and ought not to be increased. .:■•■.•-. Now in regard to the Christmas number of the Billboard, allow me to congratulate you on the s-iccess of this issue, as really it is not only a work of art, but al«o of good solid general news mid items of interest to every bill p-»uer in this country, aud no bill poster ought to miss reading this isiue thoroughly — especially Sam Pratt's letter and other items in regard to the agitation of billboards throughout the country. We see that you are now giving the decisions ' of different judges in regard to the issues of the billboard question, and if you~wi!l follow that up it will be of vast benefit to the frateruitv. If you will look' in the Pacific Reporter. 33, p-i je 476. Crawford vs. the City of Topeka et al. the Supreme Court of Kansas. July 8. 1493. you will 'fiud a verv good decision of city billboard regulations where no city or c luncil can make laws aud com' in and take the rights of a prop- erty owueror busiuess man away from him Wishingyou lots of ancceas, long life sad pros- perity, t remain Very truly. J, A. C. Shelbyrille, Ind , Dec 13, 1S97. KlitorTHR Billboard With much interest I have ju«.t read the let'er in Billboard thst was not intend- d for publi- cation, and as it strikes at a very (to us small t >wn workers) vital point, I tnink the editor did wisely in publishing it I believe In a«s clarions so long a» they do as they promt-*; but associa- tion promises like personal proraisesare no good unless kept. Th.rtigh I am not as hard up for w>rk in our line as the worthy brother who wrote 1 hat letter, yet I can heartily sympathize with him. in that 1 believe that solicitors in par- ticular habitually alight onr smaller towns. From a selfish standpoint this <eems natural but they are not doing equal justice to all members. The solicitor is after the big fish and the small fry go hungry, or are altogether swallowed up. According to our population (S on) we do a goodly amount of work, but" wish it was four times as much; and it would be if the solicitor and advertiser gave it to us in accordance with our population and in keeping with our good billboards Recently we placed for Haas Bros, the Davy Crockett cigar paper, twenty i-sheets. ten y sheets and five 11-sheet stands. The paper is decant, as all bill posters know who have placed it. Last week, through Bryan » Co.. of Cleveland. O, we placed on thejth inst.. fiflv 1- sheels a<-d on the nth inst.. one hundred 1- sherls and two a4-sheet stands, the latter manu- graph work from the brushes of Bryan % Co.. and does them great credit. It is the "loudest" p'ece of paper I ever put on the boards, and ele- gant in design. We have been remembered in times past by "Hole". O I. Glide, Stahlbrodt, Jam w. Hoke and others, for which we return thanks, and ask them to come frequently. We have recently d>ne sign tacking for Star Soap, Kilmer's Swamp Root, Pink Pills. Vansyckle. Chase Co, Brant Co and several others. We be- long tp the I A D, and believe it is the best as- s iciation we ever joined Have much more to sjy, but do not wish to be tiresome Respectfully. - T. F. Chafeb. Wr do rot like to quote from an anonymous letter, but the following deserves publicitv. That is the trouble with most anonymous let- ters. They are good—among the best we re- ceive: Editor Tub InxBOARD: Deir Sir—I have been a reader of Thr B ll- ""»«» "er since its first number appeared and have followed its fortunes with keenest interest. I have watched it grow from a little badly prnt- «1 Tour-page circular to. the magnifient Christ- mas issue which is now before me. Mauv a time in the past I have been moved to write j\.u. but have always restrained the impulse. In comra ra with others I nusunderstool you when first you advocated the open association; and I still take Issue with your basic argument that -Competition U the life of trade-. In the fii<t place, this is not always true. In the sec- ond place. If It were true of * trade", which shmil.l and does mean strictly the buying an.l selling of merchandise, even then it would not ucc;-s<arily be true ol every line of human effort. Then again. If true of all fields of effort, this competition is in the nature of a stimulant, and stimulants, while they may occasionally prove beneficial, are universally acknowledged to be injurious if indulged iu to excess. Whether com petition is or (s not a desirable element of trade, it N perfectly plain to me that-as an ele- ment of bill posting it is a riotous failure. I speak from experience if it is a good thing trade, then my trade has had too mnch of a lipod thing, for regarding competition aa a stim- ulant trade in this town fa deaddrunk. I believe that the fundamental principles of what you terra the "open" association are iu the main correct, but let me tell you that while com- "f"''?»"»» »• "»e "f* of trade. It la the death •»' wu posting. - I do not crave notoriety, nor do I wish to be irnwn into a tedious controversy, hence, al- ;'lough this letter Is written in good faith. I sub- ■■lit it aninymously. I can, however, truthfully subscribe myself A Friknd. , fi ur .W cnd wri *e» »" uncommonly good letter, »<i if his premises were correct, his ciuicluslins voitld prove a knock-out blow that would for- mer put to rest the open association. But hU premises are not correct, consequently his con- clusions are erroneous. Thev are only slaps. Slaps make noi«e, but do little damage. Our cor- respondent has fallen into a common error He assumes that opposition is competition, and then 1 rocct-ds to argue on that bahi<* But in reali y opposition is one thing and competition quite another. Opposition is destructive; competition is con- st null ve. opposition is a brawl; competi ion. a d< bate. Opposition is unyielding obstinacy; competi- tion is pliant progressiveness Onpisitinn stunts development; competition opens up new fields. Opp >sition would prevail by mere brute force; competition wius by deserving success. The /open" associolinn would dj away with opnnsitiou almost entirely. t The -'close" associati »n'isa lamentable failure tn this r spect Why n-jt give the open association a trial? t, ,-. ,. „ Chicago, Dec, 17, 1S97. EJ.tor Thr Billboard, Cincinnati, O. Dear Sir—I am in receipt or the Chnsttms is- sue of vourmost interesting journal, and to si v it is a "Hummer" is putting it very m Id. You hive certainly done vou 1 self proud in this issue, a *llt should f-urcly biing you many a new sul.- s-riber f have not, as yet, received the Christ- ma* numbers of publicatiousof a similar nature, but that your issue will compaie favorably with any that mav come to hand I have not the least doubt I always find a great dtal of matter of interest in each number cf Tbe.Izllboard and frequently get information from its columns that firoves yery valuable. I always like to read the etlers from bill posters and distributors, espe- cially those thai we have had dealings with and found to be trust worth v. I trust the coming sea- son may show an increased intere.-t among ad- vertisers in out-door display, and that all good, honest bill posters and distributors mav have all the work they can possibly handle I think my subscription tor the coming year is a*x>ut due, so enclose ynu amount necessary to insure my re- ceiving ItiLLtOAKD regularlv. Wishing all a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new vear, I am Yours very truly." D. R. Talbfbt. Agent California Fig Syrup Co OUR CHRISTMAS NUMBER. CARTOON AND COMMENT A Few cf tfce Many Compliments and Commendations That Have Been Showered Upon Us. Amerie-xm Bill Postinrj Co., Brooklyn. —Your December number "fetched us." We find we just have to subscribe in order to keep up \iith the procession.—Barney Link. Anniston, Ala —The beautiful Christ- mas number just received, and it is con- clusive evidence of the fact that those who undertake to advertise other people are not afraid to use their own medicine. —Howard W. Sexton. Display Advertising, for. December, was a beautiful creation. The Bill Poster^ for December, was the same old thing-. Hoff understands the art of fencing. He can deliver a sharp, clean thrust without labored effort. He appreciates the value of a neatly turned phrase, a well rounded sentence. McManus loses his temper and lays about aimlessly and at random. His blows are those of a drunken butcher, and possess little point or precision. His style is dry, dull and tiresome. He is never clear, seldom forcible and always stiff stilted and formal. Still, if the stray dog should succeed in: getting possession of the bone, it will not be Campbell's fault. „ Lima, O. —I have just received the Xmas number of The Buxboard, and must say it is the best I have ever seen you turn out. I am well pleased with it, and will say as you do—you always lead, the others follow.—W. C. Thrill. The Executive Committee is to meet again January 17. Some, say for the pur- pose of. appointing Display Advertising the official organ; others that they ate merely going to spank Campbell for pre- suming to criticise their edicts. /ronton, O.—lt Crossley. is beautiful.—H. C. Chicago, III. —It is simply great. Here's best wishes for the ensuing year.—J. E. Williams. ShelbyvilU. Ind. —Being an old printer myself, I can say with a great deal of as- surance that your Christmas number is . eminentlv handsome.—T. F. Chaffee. We shall soon have another bill posting paper in the field.. Wehave just received an order for a» complete file of The B11.1.EOARD from the'American News Co. _ As we only have one complete. file, and it is not for sale, we are compelled to : refer our unknown customer to James A; Cm-ran or Jam W. Hoke, who own the only two complete files in existence, out- .side of our own. SI. Louis, Mo. —I take pleasure in com- plimenting vou on vour Christmas num- ber. Very fine paper.—P. G. Stout \/ London, Eng. (cable)—The beautiful Christmas Bilxboard received. Thanks. —Jas. A. Bailey. / Ha 'stead. Pa— The Xmas number of The Billboard is at hand. We con- gratulate you. It is certainly an excep- tionally fine issue.—Jas. S. Claxton & Co. Cincinnati. O. —As handsome as any- thing we have seen this year.—Haas Bros. .Montgomery, Ala. —Knocks them all . phy and typography, and teeming with interest.—Ringling Bros. Denver. Col. - In regard to the Christ- mas number of The Billboard, allow me to congratulate you upon the success of this issue. It is not only a work of art, but is full of good, solid, general news and items of interest to every bill pester in this country, and no bill postcr ought to miss reading this issue thor- oushlv. — - Dam'ilte, III. —It is a trulv great piece of work.—J. H. La Pearl. " _ „ _ Laramie Wyoming. Dec 8, 1897. Editor Thr Billboard, Ciucinn-iti. o Dear Sir-Perhaps you will let a brother from the far West put in a word. \ Out here we are still doing a little. Posted " Royal sweets cigarettes for *tm w. Hoke, of New York, and tacked Admiral Ci«ar signs IVjsted. tacked and distributed for Payne's Cel- ery Comp-mnd. Distributed Boche's German Syrup ami Green's August Flour for G G Gree of Woodbury, New Jer>ev. Tacked cigir sUns for Alen & Ma»hall. of Philadelphia: and with Mr. Ahrams tacked Tom Moore aud Solomon Isaacs cigar signs, and distributed for Tom Moore cigars. Mr. Abiams is about the fine>t man I ever worked for or with in the course of a long and dis ipated career, aud he savs I am the most conscientious workman he ever met, and be has been on the roa-.I a long time, and savs I shall have all his work. There is not much local work here; our people are not educated up to . ,-. ,, _, , out-door advertising yet. but I have about all 9 ut -—- 11 - M - Burk. there is. Usually our merchants hive their pa- / nuvve^w'aTitile 7 ' he fi "" S thCy dea ' wrth ' but /.^^^J^L - ^ triumph of lithogra- The city council, last year, nut a license on bill ' posting for the hist time, and hearing of the war the Denver couucil was making on billbo rds, they followed suit, but so far I am ahe d. They did cut down one board, claiming it was unsate. but I lelmilt it. As I own most of the boards.an<i those 1 do not the owneis want passes to sh >ws. I think I will hold my own with them. Since they make me pay licen-*. I am now trying to have tacking and distributing inclndeaiu with bill p sting. It is a farce as it -s I should all-w noone to come in and use my boards but any one can come in and tack and distribute, and 'I can look on aud smile the < ther side of my face. No one can come in and build boards to u-tf a short time as it is too expensive, aud 1 own all locations that are woith anything. Yours truly, H. E Root. Carthage, Mo., Dec IS. iFq?. The Billboard rub. Co. Cincinnati. O. Gentlemen—1 am in reo ipt of your December number, and^ cheerfully testify to its merit, in ie<ptct loartistic covers, general tvpogtaph><Ml excellence and tastefully set advertisement*. Added to this, the literary department is of no mean character, combining amusement, admon- ition aud suggestion which must well serve eve- ry member of the craft, to whose observation it may be brought. I am a reader of it every month, through the trade, otherwise I would send subscription. For your success and the good will of the fra- ternity I will ever hope. I am very respectfullv. Joseph Bahratt. City Bill Poster. Editor Thr Billboard, Cincinnati. O. Colfax. Washington, Dec ii. 1S97. Enclosed find P. O. order for Si, to pay one year's subscription to Billboard. I am constsntly adding to my plant, and every board I have is covered with commercial work, excepting three stands I reserve for opera house work. 1 have recently erected three large boards, and distributed fifteen 3-sheet boards throughout the town. Youis truly, Gno. U Lennox. Munchen. Germany, December 14, U67. Tub Billiioard Pttblishiug Co, Cincinnati, O. Gentlemen —Your favor, dated November 39 came to hand. Would like to say that we are very much pleased with your mention of our firm in the columns of your pacer. We will cer- tainly mail yon some material now and then for fmblfcaiion. Just at present we are verv busy n introducing some new "Kiosks ' for posting purposes, destined for the exhibition in spring. Your journal is very thorough and voluminous. Wishiug vou merry holidays, we are. Very truly yours, Vereiuigte Munchener Plakat-Inslitnte, HAtTL & PlRRLtKO, Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung. 7 T trace Park. O.—Ati able and entirely creditableeffort.—W. E. Franklin. Coving'ou. AY. Considerably above above the average holiday publication.— Ralph W. Peckham. Daninlle. Ill —Vour'December number of The Billboard is simply great. I cannot see where it could be improved. Success to Billboard .—Frank P. Myers. Cleveland, O. —The Christmas Bill- board is a work of art. The cover, par- ticularly, is immense —not only beautiful to look'upon, but the stock is of a quality that will stand the wear and tear of con- stant readinsr, and still be nearlv perfect. —Will A. Molton. Chicago, III —As beautiful as it is hon- est, sturdv and fair.—C. E. Severin. New York —I am just in receipt of your wonderfully beautiful Christmas number. I was beginning to wonder if it would ever come, out on seeing it I feel amply compensated for the wait since December 1. Just as an evidence of good faith, and to prove that this isn't an ordi- nary '* jolly," I enclose my check in pay- ment for advertising, and trust that you may enjoy that as well as I enjoy" your publication. I am not in the habit of paying bills before getting them, but this is an exceptional provocation. - Jam W. Hoke. The Executive Committee is supposed, to use its every endeavor to advance the interests of the Associated Bill Posters'. Unfortunately, though, it is chiefly con- cerned with the personal interests of the individual members on the committee. - fam W. Hoke was turned down because he was a rival of Gude, Stahlbrodt and Pratt, and because Pratt, in particular, has a personal grievance against him. There was no other reason. Was that in the best interests of the association? Hardly. |am W. Hoke devotes his entire time to posters. " Gude and Stahlbrodt divide their efforts between signs and posters. Which should the bill posters support? $am W. Hoke, of course. And that is just what thfey are doing. Thb- Billboard would like to have a copy of the printed-list of every bill poster that has a printed list. There are various styles in existence, all of them good, but some of them better than others. Bill-- board would like to reproduce in its col- umns one or more of the best of these lists so far as possible to reproduce. Bill pos- ters everywhere are asking how best to prepare their location lists, and a few sam- ples put before them would no doutt prove very beneficial to alL There is always an "if" to Stahlbrodt. A couple of years ago it was "If the bin posters -will refuse to post Gude*s paper I will get all the business." There was enough* manly sentiment among the bill posters of the country at that time to de- feat his plans. There is more than enough to-day, too, to sustain $axa. W.Hoke. If he could get Display Advertising appointed the official organ he might make it win, but—well, the "if" in this case is very large and formidable. PUBLISHER'S CORNER. At last we are getting a circulation among ad- vertisers It touK over three years to find a method (not to reach them, but) to get them as paid in-advance subscribers, but we have finally attained our ambitior.. Thf Billboard is at last the medium of inteKhange between the ad- vertisers on the one hand and bill posters, dis- tributors, sign painters, poster printers and managers of fairs, food shows and expositions on the other. . An established paper that maintains a high standard of excellence is one of the hardest things on earth to kill; hence, new ventures in an occupied field generally buy experience at a pretty stiff price. WANTED—Every biU poster, every distribc- f tor, ev«ry sign painter and every fairmanagtr ' to advance their own interests and ours by find- - , ingus subscribers whenever and wherever tliijcS can. We pay a handsome commission. The circulation of Thf Billboard is g teed to exceed 10,000 copies each and ?verr ;J month during 189S. and advertising contracts have this guarantee clause incorporated therein.; - : lift§S<fi§Sli;