The Negro world., 1900-04-14
HIGH ART IN SIGNS.
Vast Improvement Ha. Ileen wroush.
During Recent Years IA the
business.

Sign painting and signboard- making,
both the designing and the execution,
have developed into u branch of art
work. The history of the signboartl
dates back 10 the days of Demos; henes.
The artistic feature of II. however, is
of modern growth and the result large
ly of the modern idea OF decorative
art.
Everything nowadays that is used
for the purpose OF attracting attention
of passershy." said one of the city's
sign artists recently, should possess
some elements of artistic merit.
know of nothing that adds to the APP
pearance of city more than the char
aeter of the signboards displayed in
its street. these are of shabby CON
struetion and shoddy execution the
visitor unconsciously forms an adverse
opinion.
"If IA merchant has fine wares TO sell
and displays them to poor advantage
he can expect failure of patronage.
In these latter days the merchants OF
the larger cities have come to appre-
eiate this fact; they not only employ
n man TO artistically call attention to
the merchandise they may have for
sale in the columns of the daily pa.
pers. but they also follow this up with
an artistic and inviting display of the
goods in either the show window or
the storeronm. The idea Of the sign
board is the same. tt is meant TO say
not only what is written upon It's face,
but its general appearance and con.
struction are calculated to impress the
public, in general way, with the char.
acter of the store.
There must be light signs. dainty
signs, heavy and impressive signs. The
letter employed in forming the firm
name of a thrnshing machine company
could not be consistently used TO at.
vertise a cafe. When the subject is
placed in that light the nature OF the
art of sign-paih ing beeomts more APP
parent. Unquestiunably IL is fine art
and in order TO be t,p To date In the
styles and idens the urtiSt must make
ms deep study Of the detaii of his work
as any scenic painter.
"The styles are constantly changing
New ideas are being introduced and
put into execution. And they all tend
to attract attention In a graceful and
pleasant way. There are fuds also In
the production of signs that occasional
ly appear and defy explanation of their
origin, Changes in the spelling OF words
frequently heard are common. Cigar.
forinstance. oftentimes appears spelled
"segar" and "sigar" Other words are
also wantonly misspelled for the pur-
pose of attracting attention.
Then there are the embellishments.
| Occasionally the entire side OF the
building is given up to reproduction
of some scene or place, Niagara falls
at one time was mos; popular. The idea
was followed by the efforts OF the
comic artist, whose twisted and dis
| torted pictures reminded one more OF
the pages Of comic paper than of an
attempt to advertise. Then came a re-
yulsion in feeling and sentiment In.
stead of the large. coarse work the
demand came in for more simplicity
and nentness. And this demand is real.
~ the inspiration OF the present meth.
ods of sign construction. The letter
ing now In vogue is exceedingly sim.
pie. the fancy touches being added 70
as TO give the general design the up.
pearance of dnintiness and nentness. a"
indianapolis Press.