The billboard (July-Dec 1898)

THE BILLBOARD. Pueblo. Col., Sept. 10, 1S9S. Editor,"The Billboard:" Please publish the following plain state- ment of facts: "To Members of I. A. of D.: "Dear Sirs:—This is to ecitify that in the disposing of the bill posting business of tbc Pueblo Bill Posting Company from G. \\\ Johnson to J. G. Brayton, and. later, in the sale of the bill posting business of the Pueblo Bill Potting and Sign Company from J. G. Brayton to the Curran Company, the distrib- uting business of Jesse B. Mitchell was not intentionally disposed of in either transac- tion. If there be any bill of sale that includes the above-mentioned distributing business among its articles, it is so included win. our knowledge or consent. "JOHN" G. BRAYTON. "GEO. W. JOHNSON." The foregoing statement should set mc tight in the estimation of the members of the I. A. of D. Both the gentlemen who sign it are reliable. JESSE MITCHELL. Editor "The Billboard:" September number is at hand, and I find it full of interesting items which are well worth any one's evening of reading, and adds much to the pleasure one derives from his favorite journal. "The Billboard" has certainly im- proved since 1 first saw a copy. May it con- tinue and its "bank balance grow long." I am very much taken with the war cry of the Ardniore denizon of the wild and woolly West. He certainly comes on the jump and bits the nail on the head square, awakening a cry cf sympathy from many a poor isolated member. It is true, few iso- lated members derive much benefit from the amount paid in, but they do derive some. There is no question about thati. Many mem- bers get some work simply becausc-thcy are members of an association, because it docs just what they preach—"advertise" them, and as a general thing an association tries to get the best men possible, they are then stamped as the best party at that point. Naturally, advertisers give them preference and sometimes, sorry to say, their confidence is misplaced. Then, again, with an asso- ciation there are men who work in somehow or other who should not be there. It is so in every large body of men, and on that ac- count I am loath to accept his sweeping as- sertion that the I. B. P. A. is an Association of Asses, though 1 have no dcubt but that it has its share. I am a strong believer in organization, even if little benefit be derived from it at first. It helps many and may help me more later on. I remember perfectly well when I first Joined a little "sucker"-catcher and voted myself an entire "Association or Asses" in one, but joined them. and. strange to relate, all aided me but one. besides being a step- ping-stone to a better association. I will say, though, that I was caught for only one ten-cent box of ointment in my cmbyro state as a distributor. I would like to be a member of the I- B. P. A.. A- B. P. and especially the I. A. of 11.. but it seems that I can not, as all the large cities where one can support one's self are already taken, and the only way I can do is to* travel. . Did you ever notice the interest taken in posting and advertising matter in these lit- tle cross-roads settlements and villages? If not. just go out to one of 2a to 100 people, pest up one or two one-sheet or two-sheet posters, take at least three patent medicine circulars, camples alEO —if ycu can, a sample of soap—one of powders, a story paper, etc., leave them at the houses, then go and post your bills. Next Sunday evening come back on a visit. You will find that every person has some "ailment jist like so-and-so in" one or the other patent medicine circulars: soap and powders have their supporters, while ev- ery one has some criticism on your poster. The voung lady of the house has finished the paper, and all want you to send them the next number. Try it: you will be astonished. Up North, you do not have the many, very many small country towns that we have here in the South: you have many more railroads, but try it in some small place not often worked, and see. . 1 see Pontiac, Mich., "finished a ]ob for Err C I. Shoop a little while ago. He came up to my price of $2 per thousand," etc. The only comment that I wish to make is. if there is any one who can make an honest house-to- house distribution at less than $1-50 to $2 per thousand on small orders and make a living I would like to buy a. receipt: and as for F. W Newman, of Albany, distributing at $1 to $1 25 per thousand, he reminds me very much of a Crank in some large city that bad a Bonanza, who claimed that during certain winds paper started at certain angles went certain distances In a radius of eight miles, so he was going to arrange with the Meteor- ological people to get advance tips of such winds, establish a circular distributing agency in the center of the city, and do away with the ordinary human distributor and fling the advertising to the winds, where no doubt some of Mr. F- W. Newman's *1 per thousand "Tnoticelir. Miles Medical Co., Dr. Burk- hart, Chattanooga Medical Co., and others take a great deal of interest in distributors and the association. Hope I have not tired you out. v "COUNTY SUCKER." Editor "The Billboard:' *It has been some time since we sent you any communication from "this neck o woods." so thought would let you know we are alive: business has beeu very quite with US throughout the early summer, but now that the war seems to be over it commences to pick up. Foley & Co.. of Chicago, gave us 850 sheets in July, made up of three-sheet, eight-sheet and 24-sheet stands: also 1.000 W. P. signs for tacking. We covered the county with same. They are a fine firm to do busi- ness with, and treated us like gentlemen. For the past two weeks we have been very busy advertising the great Mansfield Fair, that comes off Sept. 27 to 30. It calls to gather a great concourse of people. They spare no expense of advertising it well. We have had two wagons and four men at work for them. They use everything from a one-eighth sheet up to 24-sheet pictorial, and cover everything in sight like a circus. They have a grand array of special attractions, among which are the celebrated "Rossow Midgets." "Lotto & Dello. in the trick house act:" "Lunetaro, Japanese Magician and wonder worker; "Col- tons' Donkey Circus," besides a three-day baseball- tournament. With the "Midgets" comes twenty-eight 24-sheet stands of beau- tiful pictorial paper: they advertise into live counties, besides covering railroad routes for 100 miles out. With good weather a safe esti- mate places the crowd far third day at least 20.000. During a severe storm on the 6th inst. one of our wagons containing two bill posters was wrecked and one man killed in- stantly and the other badly injured: it only delayed us a short time, we having the third wagon ready and on the road withiti twenty- four hours. We joined the International Association of Distributors in July, and believe it will be of great assistance to us. We confess that we have already begun to see returns from it: it is certainly a good thing, and we hope the time will come when every honest dis- tributor in tbc land is a member. We have just received 6,000 circulars for distribution from Dr. Chase Co.. Philadel- phia: have on the road 3.000 booklets from Boston Medical Institute. Chicago, 8.000 book- lets from Lydia E. Pinkham Co., (second dis- tribution): also 3.000 pieces from Dr. Miles Medical Co., Elkhart, Ind.: have done their work for two years, and their inspector ex- pressed himself as well pleased with our work, when here a short time ago. giving us more tenitory. We have hat posters from two firms and Red Cross stove posters from anotht r firm, all local, that wc are working on now. and are about to close a contract for potting 1,600 sheets for another firm of national advertisers. They are beginning to see the benefit of our well-defined "country routes." Are pleased to note the good fcel- inw now existing between. "The billboard" and the Billboard Display Advertising, aud am sure it will bring gcod results to the craft. Wc have never had the pleasure of receiving a circular from Mr. Wilshire. but would be pleased to have one. Possibly we might want to come under the cloak, if it is to include all. In mentioning work, did not mention the TOO sheets we have received from Opera House during August and September. Our Mr. H. M. Griggs is the present manager. Thanking you for favors shown to us, we arc. Yours very truly, THE TV. D. HUSTED ADV. CO. Flint, Mich., Sept. 12, 1S8S. Editor "The Billboard:" I have just completed a distribution for J. C. Ayer Co., Lowell, Mass. Have l.fOO Hood's Farm to put out at the county fair to be held here Sept. 20-23. Am at present, distributing samples of Sodio for the Michigan Chemical Co.. Detroit, Mich. Have just signed con- tracts with the Dr. Miles Medical Co., the Lydia Pinkham Co. I gave a privilege to the Silver Yeast Co., Detroit. Mich., and to Yeast Foam to distribute samples. Business has been very dull for the last few months, but is getting better. Wishing "The Bill- board" success, I am. respectfully. NELSON MATTESON. Winona. Minn., Sept. 19, 1S9S. Editor "The Billboard:" As you have not heard a word from me for some time, you may think me out of busi- ness, but must tell you I am still in it. at least the past month. As our street fair takes place soon. I have been busy putting up bills for both city merchants and out-of-town ad- vertisers. Following paper is now up: 20 eight-sheet Etands from A. Van Bcuren & Co. for Menon's Food. 10 eight-sheets and 5 twelve-sheets for Battle Ax Co.. 10 eight- sheets from Jam W. Hoke, for Banquet Hall Cigar. 8 eight-sheets for Singer Manufactur- ing Co.. 4 twenty-eight-sheets and 10 eight- sheet stands for Beeman Chemical Co.. 25 twelve-sheets. 25 two-sheets and 50 one-sheets for Drummond Tobacco' Co.. St. Louis. 5 fif- teen-sheet stands for Wisconsin Business University. 45 one-sheets ■ for Hauert & Blake, (city): also have 10 eight-sheets for same firm, to go up before the fair. Have more paper on hand, which will keep me busy for at least a week. Yours truly. ' HENRY WERNER. Logan, O., Sept. 5, 1SU6. Editor "The Billboard:" For genuine push and get-there energy. "The Billboard" is certainly in the lead, and I will contribute my mite toward helping push a good thing along, so enclosed please find money order on Uncle Sam for one dollar for inserting my address in your list of members of the I. A. of D. It is my opinion that any member who does not take advantage of your offer and at such an insignificant cost, does not know a good thing when he sees it- I have only been in the bill posting and dis- tributing business about eight months, but have had about all the work ray boards could stand. Distributing has been fair, and is im- proving. Very truly yours, ^ ^ K0PPE . Barry. 111., Aug. 30, 1898. Editor "The Billboard:" In looking, over your paper and seeing so much from other bill posters, thought I would tell you what we have beeu doing. Business has been very good with us. There is only one trouble with "The Billboard"—it does not come often enough. No first-class bill poster can do without it. We have one of the best bill posting plants in the State. We bill and distribute in twenty-five differ- ent towns. We have fifty 4x12. twenty-eight 4x9. 231 three-sheet. 856 one-sheet stands. All we have worked for arc well pleased with our work, and "The Billboard" did it all for us. Very truly yours, BROWN & NICOL. Marshall. 111.. Sept. S. 1J9S. Editor "The Billboard:" Enclosed find my subscription for coming year. I have had my boards looking nice this season, and was compelled to put up 2011 feet of boards ten feet high, besides a number of three and one-sliects. 1 will brt money that 1 have more boards than any lown of this size ill the State. 1 have had two good ship- ments of paper from lloughtaling and Stal- brodt. of New York. Have on the boards now Horse Shoe To- bacco. Scalping Knife Tobacco. Lough y Hat. This is the fourteenth month I have had the Longlev Hat on my boards for a local mer- chant. First posting 1 !>"t up was twenty sheets, the last 70 two-sheets. Doesn't that speak well for me and my boards? Also have indiaua State Fair. Martinsville Fair. Terrc Haute Races and local races. Kii'.gling Bros, did a splendid business here the 2d of Sep- tember, and. best of all. our merchants had all they could do. Thanking you for past kindness, and. wish- ing success to "The Billboard." I am. very truly yours, VICTOR JA.N.NKY. Meridian. Miss.. Sept. 9. ISIS. Editor "The Billboard:" It has been quite a while since I have writ- ten to you 1 have the following paper on my boards at present: Prickly Ash Bitters. 400 sheets: Drummond Tobacco Co.. 25 twelve-sheets and 25 two-sheets: Battle Ax. 10 twelve-sheets and 50 two-sheets: Dr. Hurk- hart. 100 one-sheets. 1 have contracted with O. J. Gude and others for work later on. and have made quite a number of contracts for the fair this fall. The dates are Oct. ::i to Nov. 5. and will be the only real fair to he given in Mississippi. Everything will be wide open on the grounds; people in all branches of business are invited to attend. Privileges are at a very low price. The new Slate li- cense on hill posting is proving to be a good thing in this State. Mississippi will soon be in good shape in the bill posting business as scon as they can freeze out a few more In- dians in smaller towns. In other wolds, ne- groes who can bang 100 one-sheets in half an-hcur and do it for something to eat. Since I started here. I have cleaned up the whole business all around inc. licys in the western part of the State are working hard on the same thing. Speaking of services in the South, ycu con get es good service in my city for as reasonable a ptice as any oilier city in the world of its size. My city is lined with boards, and I have a number of boards stored away to use when a circus comes or I have need of a quantity of extra ones. I have 316 one-sheet boards and 5") ciglu-shccts. These 1 can fasten together and make any size needed. With best wishes, I am. very truly yours. L. D. HOFFEK. Calve. III.. Aug. 2S. 1S9S. Editor "The Billboard:" Not having wiitten ycu before. I will now try to cive- you an idea of what we are doing in" cur little" city. Business in the rural and bulletin sign line has been first-class so far this season, although we just staited in May. We have also entered into the posting busi- ness, something that has not been tri.d her" before, as there has never been but one board of any size, and that would held only a twenty-sheet stand. We start with four 4S- foct and one 90-foot: also a few nine, twelve and sixteen-sheet boards, all to be tsn feet high, made of shirlap siding or fence floor- ing, with fcur-foct bulletin on top of the whole. A few days ago one of the snipe posters of this town received a large number cf Chicago Record thrce-shce-ts and sent his twelvr-year-old son cut to post them. Taking a bucket of paste, he went out and posted one three-sheet and shoved the rest under the sidewalk. We are much pleased with "The Pillboard," and will use its columns as our advertising medium in the near future. Very truly yours, F. M. BROWN & SON. Editor "The fillbcard:" Last year 1 attended the State fair. I went with the intention of attending two days, but came away after being on the grounds four or five hours. The reason I did not stay lonccr was because there were so many things with- out any label nr tag giving their nanus: rs- pecielly was this thp case in the vegetable de- partment, also in the sheep and swine de- partment. Now. it seems to me the State Board, or its superintendents, should require everything to be properly labeled. csp; i «i»lly so in the fruit, vegetable and live stork de- partments, as part of the people at least go to the State fair to learn something, as w. II as for recreation. M. .1. B. Des Moines. Iowa. Sept. 21, 1S9S. Editor "The Rillboard:" Your valuable paper for Septembrr rnme duly to hand, and the convention proceedings were the more appreciated for being late. I wish to say that I think a great deal eif the I. A. of D. and would like to be a mem- ber of that association, but as it has not reached perfection I am of the opinion that .it "needs fixing"—broadening out. ' A man fills out a blank, slating his ne> and a few less important facts: three men (let us hope, business men) certify that they be- lieve him honc*rt. and exnress the opinion that he will faithfully discharge all business obligations. These, are the qualifications for membership in the I. A. D. pure and simple. No attention is paid to capital, experience or ability. It docs not suffice that a man be honest: the man who conducts a successful distribut- ing business must possess education, energy and business ability. I have received in the past year hundreds of letters from distributors (many members of the I. A. D.). fully one-third of which could not be read by an expert, and the composi- tion of which would disgust an imbecile. How many towus Co you think of in which the I. A. D. franchise is held hv oersons con- tent with an occasional job. while the really progressive, wide-awake (and in the end. suc- cessful) distributor is denied admission? It places many good people In an unpleasant position, to say the least. I offer no rcmrdy. hut it does seem to mn that the I. A. D. should be an open associa- tion, (there Is no inconvenience In open, hon- est competition), or another should be or- ganized for the same purpose, upon the Bame piiuciples. but upon a lira foundation. I hope every person—the victims of such cir- cumstances as I have outlined—will write me a personal letter, that we may see how many such unfortunate persons there are, and what can be done to further their Interests. Very truly. FRANK V. DRAPER. Editor "The Billboard:" Manv months ago 1 sent some paper to the Olean Bill Posting Co.; after writing numer- ous letters to them. 1 received a reply some months after the shipment, reading as fol- lows : Olean. N. Y.. March 29. 1898. Jam W. Hoke. New York City: Dear Sir.—Some time ago you shipped us some posters to be put out for the Liz Cigar, for Cunipson. of Buffalo, N. Y. We gave vour letter containing the amount of work to be done and the instructions to our bill poster, and by some hook or crook he has lost it. Will you kindly Inform us how much you owe us for this work? This is rather a queer way to do. but it is the only remedy we have left. An early answer will greatly oblige, Yours truly. OLEAN BILL POSTING CO. I immediately took up the matter with the advertisers: inasmuch as my contract with the advertisers specifically specified that I was to give an immediate and prompt noti- fication of the starting of all posting, and that I agreed to make no charge for any work where he could not receive ample proof that the work had been. properly done. I re- fused to settle for the alleged bill posting. I am tn-dav in recdpl.of the following letter from the blcan Bill Posting Co.: Olean. N. Y.. Sept. 10. 1898. Jam W. Hoke. New York City: Dear Sir.—We have positive proof that you had your pay for the job of posting "Liz" t'isars in this city, work done by us. Unless vou stud us a remittance for the work at once we shall post you in all the papers and will also take judgment against you. Let us near from you at once, and save further trouble. Yours truly. OLEAN BILL POSTING CO. As the Olean Bill Posting Co. threatens to post me in all the papers. 1 take great pleas- ure in saving them the expense by publishing the matter myself. In this connection I wish to u that I and all advertisers are having trouBfc of a sim- ilar nature every week from careless bill postrs. The fact that in some Instances the carelessness is rase-ality renders it absolutely necessarv that the advertiser should use cau- tion in all his dealings, and it is for this, reason that 1 agree with my clients to show- tliem absolute proof at the beginning of eacln posting, and that 1 agree to make no charge: for proof that Is submitted one. two. three- or four months later, when it Is impossible for the advertiser to verify the reports, or to. take proper advantage of the posting. I endeavor, in every way. to impress upon bill posters the fact that merely posting the paper is not sufficient, that the advertiser needs the information so that he may take edvantape of the posting and reap all possi- ble benefits therefrom. I am happy to state that the majority or bill posters are rapidly learning these mat- ters, and arc endeavoring in every way to co- operate with the advertiser and contractoi. and that such co-operation is so highly pleas- ing as to bring the bill poster many renewal 1 ani confident that one of the best things done by the association at its last meeting was its resolution in regard to the date or sending in lists, and In which It decides that the bill poster who fails to send the list with- in three days shall forfeit the entire amount of the bill. .Iv.st as soon as the bill posters Irani that this rule was made as much for their benefit as for the advertiser, and that it was not made from a feeling of enmity toward them, or from any expectation or taking advantage of them, just so soon will pill posting come to something like its proper position in the advertising world. Jounrvery JAM W. HOKE. Aurora. Mo.. Sept. 13, 189S. Editor "The Billboard:" Hear Sir.—I beg leave to acknowledge re- ceipt of "The Billboard" for this month. I will say that I have closely examined it. and find it all right In aim and object, viz.. promoting interest of bill posters, and circu- lar distributors, distributors of sample pack- ages and the nailing up of signs, etc. I havo been a distributor of samples and advertis- ing literature and a naller-up of signs at Au- rora. Mo., for aboot five years. 1 represent in this business several of the most extensive advertisers in the United States. We enter into written contracts as to mode of doing this business and the amount of pay for It. •_ the year, and I have never lost a single patron, nor a cent of money for my work In Vdo. and personally, superintend this work all the time, visiting every family In our town of about 6.000 population. Let us co-operate together for our mutual good and for the good of those who place work in our hands. Let us Bet together in a close union, and be ready and willing to aid each other by answering letters or ren- dering any aid necessary to promote tho in- terest of the union and thOBe for whom wo. I ain a member of several distributing as- sociations, mid expect to join otherB and work for the interest of "The Billboard. Our town being a mining town, not closely or compactly built. Is a little hard to can- vass, but I am used to It. I am the only professional distributor in this town. I am a hoy. Yes. an old boy of 62 years. Havo seen th<' elephant and would have looked at him ncain In Cuba. Porto Rico or Manila, if the United Stutcs Government would navo received me. ... ■ lam ready to answer all lolterH upon tho subject of distributing, nailing up signs or posting bills. I will send money soon for one yenr's subscription to defray "Bill s ex- penses. Long may ho llvo and much may hc " r0H " tr - S. MARTIN, THE BILLBOARD. * piPAJTMINT • CONOUCTBO Br «. M.rOBORAVC. SIGN PAINTING IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. Surface Preparations - Fillers. CHAPTER I.. PART I. There are so many distinct divisions or branches of the sign painter's art. that, in undertaking to write a scries of articles on the subject, one hardly knows with which to begin. But as the surface comes first in the manual manipulation of a sign, we will begin with It. While there are so many kinds of surfaces —tin. steel, various kinds of wood, 'stone, etc. —that in some instances would require spe- cial treatment that would be a benefit to the learner, we shall only deal with them in a general way. As respecting wooden surfaces, the best sign painters agree that the out- side cut of a close-grained log is the best, giving as a reason that because of its b.ing more exposed in Its growth that it is the toughest and better season.d. This is not the true reason, however; it is because it is younger, and for some reason yet unexplained the sap-wood of a tree will decay quicker than .the heart when left ill its natural state. but when seasoned and oiled or coven il with paint, will last longer than the heart . In the first place, the sign painter should have some alcohol tin liar. This is made by dissolving gum shellac in ak-ohel to a con- sistency that It will spread easily and still cover the pores of the wood. Its use in sign painting Is confined to filling the pores and for killing knots and preventing sappy places from showing, and for mixing colors. It is usually mixed in the proportion of one-quar- ter pound of shellac to one pint of alcohol. Powdered sealing-wax. one-half to one and one-helf ounces of alcohol, makes a very good substitute. It should be made stouter than this; that Is. more shellac should be used, when wanted to kill knots. Make ycur own shellac, as then you can rely on it. Ke-ep it excluded from the air. A self-sealing fruit can is an excellent receptacle for any paint solutions that are liable to evaporate. In prepaifng a board for a good job of sign painting, give p. couple of coats of shellac. using previously the stout shellac over the knots and sappy places. The best way of all to kill knots, however, is to bore them out with an auger to the depth of about a quar- ter of an inch and fill the boles with stiff. bard drying putty, made as follows: Take fine whiting and beat up to a working con- sistency In one-third drying oil and two- thirds Japan dryer: work it into these holes and into all other Inequalities with a square pointed putty knife. When this is done, give a good, stiff coat of white lead with sufficient dryer added to make it dry in a reasonable time. Now. if you wish a very smooth job. rub down with lump pumice stone and w^tcr in tiad of rand-raper. Go over it aga'n. when dry, and puttr up all deficiencies with a putty made of white lead and common store putt v. half and half. Put a little more japan in your paint and give it another coat, and pumice-stone or Band it when it is ready for the grained coat of color. The above is an old way, but a good one. Since the advent of all kinds of fillers, this method Is out of date on account of its being so elow. more than of anything else. It Is usually the case now. that a cheap filler i« Riven the board, and then grounded out with ready-mixed paint and let go at that. There Is a filler known as Deno filler, or umber, when mixed with white lead in the proportion of one-third filler and two-thirds lead, will give a good surface for color, when sanded. In one coat. This rubs smoother with sand-paper than any other filler that has yet been discovered. It Is often the sign painter has to contend with tar spots. These may be removed by first scraping them well and coveting with a couple of coats of strong glue size. Most of the surfaces for cheap sign work is prepared with glue size. Soak the glue In cold water over night and melt in hot water, using only a sufficient quantity of water to fetch it to a working consistency. Glue size Is all right when the boards are not exposed to a position where It will draw- dampness. The glue will then soften up and the paint will scale off. Helpful Hints to Sign Painters. Ily Allen E. Karnaugh. Mill Run, Pa. SOME BAD SIGNS. John Plowman Bald: "When pigs flv. thevflv with their tails foremost." This is illustrated not many miles away by a ptg-hended painter with monstrosities called guide-hoards. Those pointing right-hand are lettered orderly, but those Indicating oppositely nre "Jubberwocky" —requiring a mirror to reverse the disorder which wag produced by a too literal obedi- ence, and was made to read the way the horse goeo. Our patience wns tested deciph T erlng legends like "NOTLLUC OT SEL1M J. " Another: "TNIOP i.ARKNIM OT SLL1M 4." By spelling bnckwnrd long enough, you may arrive nt the right town. Strolling recently through some of the less frequented BtreetR where cheap (?) rates for boarding and lodging Becm to rule, may he seen a sign appearing like this: "Hoarding and Logging," u | 9 appropriate only for a saw-mill. Another Blgn announced, "Pino n Knkes." Wo refrained, na we did not wish to bo plzened." Better to place the word "cakes" first. Would you believe there could be truth in a notice liku this? "A Good Cow for Sail." Cows just don't "sail," neither do they swim well. Neatly executed lithographic work lately received at the office of the Connellsville (Pa.) Courier, heralding "The Currier," was returned at once and payment refused, with only these words: "Wc don't keep horses!" THEY TOOK IT FOR GRANTED. A traveling sign-writer was recently serv- ing two clients-, working for Mr. Grant by contract and for Mr. Dunn by the day. The astonished natives gazing at the bulletins would ask the private considerations by say- ing. "How aie you doing the work?" The idly curious invariably received this one re- ply: "It is Granteed by the job and Dunn by the day." Plain as mud, that. HOW A REBUS SAVED A BULLETIN.— A bulletin in a near town was nearly com- pleted, when a man claiming a third of the wall \arrived and threatened to erase one- third of the sign. He was hostile to "oback- crs, the Famous." Having him indicate his boundary over the face of the painting, he drew a line perpendicularly betwt>en the let- ters "f" aud "a." At once it was seen that to kill "a mous(e)" without any tail, would J b repeating the operation until done. The let- ters remained firmly in their proper places. While no great exertion, like a bellows, is required, it is more convenient to breathe at times than to carry a green-goods grocery— that is, to have a potato or an onion at hand. HOW A COUNTRY PAINTER "GOT THERE." — An awkward - looking country painter set forth to boom a three days' cen- tennial at a country town. When nearly there, he returned home to rest. Shortly he made a new start a-foot and got there while decorations were going up ail over the town. He was totally a stranger, carrying neither a letter of introduction or references—noth- ing, excepting a few sample cards of bis own work. Seeing a man with a dish of color and a brush enter a restaurant, tho countryman slid in to see the motion, which to his sense seemed awkward, as the town artist was en- gaged in a futile attempt to get the "hang of the thing" to be described upon numerous large sheets of card-board. During these ef- forts, the vest-pocket samples were quietly handed over the counter. The young man over there grinned and examined, and with an exchange of knowing looks. Mr. Artist was shown the samples. Without a word, he laid down his string and pencil and departed. The stranger was invited to "catch on," ALLEN E. HARBAUGH, Secretary National Sign Painters Alliance. be to brand our employer as a "th(i)ef" blind of an eye. Showiug Mr. Kicker such a re- sult, he not only saw the point, but trouble ahead, and relented. For so doing, a small sign was then painted for him. which pleased him so well he thereafter protected the bul- letin against any defacement. Diplomacy is better than blows. TO PREVENT COLORS RUNNING.—Hav- ing everything seemingly well mixed, once a black background for cut work crawl, d over the undiled white letters. This was stopped by adding to the black paint a little of a mix- ture of one part of Japan dryer with three parts spirits of turpentine, and having the color rather stiff. Cleaning the letters which first had been put upon the old diy paint on the wall, then n little of the same liquids c.l.led to the white lead paint, the letters were retouched, then a retouching of black over the background settled the trouble and produced a- good result. TO PREVENT LETTERS SHRINKING.— While lettering upon a background of ready- tllixed lubber pninl. the letters, after a few moments, acted like water upon Klass and vanished entirely. We doctored the black let- tering point with jap mid turps, with no re- sult; then added varnish and railed. Finally, inhaling n good breath, a blast was breathed from the open mouth over the immediate part to be lettered, and at once began letteiing. which he did, and made things fairly fly. siz- zle and boom. Crowds gathered to witness the placards which were posted every few moments, while others were being rapidly dashed off with a seemingly reckless grace born of experience. Customers pressed him with orders, and the poor fellow was soou loaded with money and honors until the start- ing of the monster procession. Sashes want- ing names of States for lady horseback rid?rs. banners, bulletins, inscriptions for floats and what not came to his hand. Other "light- ning sign writers" had preceded him from distant towns, but he was correspondingly happy, feasted free of expense the while upon food fit for any king and suited to the queen's taste. He was retained after the cen- tennial for some days. As he was a bold pen- man and a good colorist, he was solicited to execute a great amount of real penwork. Having a well organized mind, keen and alert, he hud assimilated the principles of art from the teachings of text-books and the trade journals, among which none are more helpful than "The Billboard." Thus he acted naturally and free from hesitation. How would such a fellow do to strike some fair- holding town in time? . It may be yours for the trial. Ycu can. Will you? RBB JACKET VEK MILLION Outwears all other Vermilion. Just What You Want Send for Sample. _ BILLINGS, TAYLOR SCO. Cleveland, Ohio. Sign Painters' Alliance. We have received innumerable lettrrs from sign painters like the following: „,.. ..„, Boston. Mass.. Sept. G. 1S9S. Editor "The Billboard:" 1 read in current issue of "The Billboard" sonn-hing of an organization to be formed under the name or the National Sign-Paint- <-rs Alliance. I would be greatly obllgid tcr fiirtlnr paitieulais regarding same, oi names or piomotcis. that 1 may correspond. I think such an association would benefit the trade Very rcip.ctft.Ily. C. II. BUCK. ' While the scope and nature or the proposed crgaiiiration hate not yet been definitely de- termined, we can outline its more salient features. In the first place, it will be. as its name liit.iiatis. an "alliance" of sign painters: in otlur wcrds. an association which will en- deavor to bemfit its members on the basis of mutual aid. It will endeavor in so far as it can to unify pi icts on ail grades and kinds of sign work It will devise ways and means for the pro- tection of leased spaces, walls, bulletins aud cd-sigcs. It will have a collection department and a systini of espionage to protect its members !■ mil dead-beats. It will have am officer or officers who will m keep the members posted on whtt is doing in the wfcll and road-tide, fence and rock field, aid by judicious tips aud pointers procure bu. intis. As the prcliminaiits have not yet been de- i id. d upon, it can not be said wbethe r it will be an open or close association, but anyone looking for further detailed information 13 united to write the members cf the commit- tee on arrangements, viz.: K. H. Forgrave. Pickerington. O.. Chair- man: \\. F. Williamson. St. Louis. Mo • Fred I). Jones. Chicrago. III.: C. G. O'Brien. Pitts- burg. Pa.; A. E. Haibaugh. Mill Kun. Pa Se. retary. The first nati Feb. meeting will be held in Cincin- 1SS9. As the National Associa- tion or Master House Painters convenes in the same city en the same date, a large at- tendance i-s exncited. In a rce< nt bttir. R. II. Forgrave Ays" "I have be. 11 si.ing the proposed Sign Painters' Alliance com iderable thought for the past fiw days, and have concluded there is a gocd h< Id lor a model association. My conclu- sions are based on the fact that it wilL^Be more an "Order of instruction" than 'any- thing else. 1 conclude, or at least I hope it will not get into the management of a clique '- the maintenance of tht ir own material for advancement, leading to an inglorious end. like so many ether trades and labor associa- tions that have preceded. I promise to aid it all I can." Sign Sense. In connection with ell of the preliminary work above mentioned it would be well to be- piii some strong out-door display advertising. This is one of the most important kinds of advertising ycu can do. It is the permanent kind that you should keep constantly before the people, so that they can not forget your poods. Dailies are too expensive for continu- ous large advertising, in my estimation, and as small advertisements would be lost it would be well to drop them after the goods are once thoroughly introduced, aud to keep up a strong out-door display. Painted signs and wall displays are better as a rule, than any other kind of out-door display, because of their enduring qualities. It is said by some that when a painted sign becomes old. people cease to notice it or at least to take interest in it. This is not so, judging from my experience, or course, peo- ple become familiar with it. but so familiar that simply a glance is enough to make them think of the advertised article again. It Is said also that people living near a railroad never hear the train as it passes. This may be so. but they know, almost unconsciously, that a train lias gone by. The same principle may be applied to the method by which the large outdoor display operates on the minds of the people. The sign is limply a reminder. It rorms a mental habit by constantly recall- ing to the mind the article It advertises. It usually presupposes some previous knowledge of the article, gained from other sources. It is not within its province to give details, but it should give enough details to keep the character as well as the name of the goods ; before the public—E. B. Mower, in Adver- , thing Experh nee. Lamp black is the sort collected from burn- ing matter, except coal and carbons. The hest lump black is e'aleiued before using. INK FOR SHOW CARDS.—Take four or five ounces of white wax and one and one- half white soap. Melt and mix thoroughly and add one-half ounce lamp black. Heat this mixture and add an ounce of spirit; shellac. It is said that with this ink the I finest to the heaviest lines may be drawn i without danger of spreading.