I happened to get in touch with Lonnie Tettaton, who has been painting signs for over 50 years, and still going strong, in St. Louis and he has a catalogue of sign books that he has been selling for quite a few years. At one time he had a 2 page listing in Dick Blicks catalogue, but demand for his books has diminished over the last few years. Anyways he has an inventory of books sitting collecting dust, so I thought I would do up a web page listing his books and see if I can generate some sales for him. He does not have a computer, so the only way to get in touch with him is by phone. The prices are reasonable and I'm sure some newbies would be interested in some of his books. Buy a copy of each of his books, I did. Here is the link:
If you buy one copy of each book you get a 40% discount on everything.
[ August 01, 2003, 12:27 PM: Message edited by: Alfred Toy ]
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
Very worthwhile!
I've got a book of his, "the Window lettering handbook", Nutwood publishing Co, Copyright 1981.
In it is some neat stuff, including something I've not seen elsewhere. It's a tecnique he calls "stippling", where you brush on lettering, but he shows you how to make a simple tool that evens out the paint, with no brushmarks. The results are good enough to be backlit, indeed, that's the intention of the method.
Good little paperback. I heartily (sp?) recomend it.
[ July 29, 2003, 11:19 PM: Message edited by: James Donahue ]
Posted by Bernice Tornquist (Member # 16) on :
Thanks, Alfred...I'm going to order me some.
Posted by Source Signs (Member # 1164) on :
Do you have a phone number where we can reach him? Thanks.
Posted by Source Signs (Member # 1164) on :
Duh...I just read the next paragraph...got the number now. You see I am blonde for a reason!!!
Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
These books are worth collecting, but remember, 25 years ago, paint was different, and tody's signpainter is a differnt guy, with a new set of rules.
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Way to go Alf, this will be a great help to a lot of people. It was a pleasure meeting you at Pat's Paint the Prarie. People like you make the Letterheads worth while.
Bill
Posted by Alfred Toy (Member # 3844) on :
Thank you Bill. It was a treat meeting you, I won't forget you. I know whats it like to try find good learning material. I asked Lonnie what his plans were when he sells his current inventory and if he planned to do any reprints. He didn't think he would do reprints although he has the original negatives, so I mentioned an interest in purchasing the negatives and he said he could sell me his inventory with the negatives for 20 cents on the dollar, but I end up stretching myself too thin so I decided to give Marge at Canadian Signcrafters a call because she wanted any leads about any instructional materials. She was interested in talking to him. When I first phoned Marge inquiring about some learning materials she sent me a lettering chart, but it was for a leftie.
Also there was an article in my local newspaper on July 28 about a group of youths in an art program to get them off the streets, so I got in touch with the director to see about teaching the kids how to do hand lettering. He was very excited because it would give them an avenue for generating some funds to keep their program running. I stopped in to see what they were all about and they could use some guidance. The kids were working on various projects, hand painting as well as airbrushing. They had a couple of 4x8 signs on the go for a couple of businesses but they were using regular fir plwood and the lettering was very crude but the talent was there. I gave him some pointers on using a better grade of plwood or MDF. So hopefully this will be an avenue to get some young kids involved with the Letterheads. I only wish I had been able to bring some out to Unity.
Although it does not say so, you will note that a number of the texts are updates of Matthews originals. If you are interested in the St. Louis style, this is a way to get them for your library.
Posted by Bill Cosharek (Member # 1274) on :
Those books by LT are good for anyone wantin' to learn how to letter. Got mine years ago & were used to help develop a style of brush lettering. (the SignCraft series alphabet books are good too) Had these books a long time but hadn't noticed the similarities with EC Matthews until a couple weeks ago when I decided I needed to look at them. (or maybe I just forgot I knew that - whatever) Point is, no matter what has changed over the years, brush lettering construction has not & these books are still valuable.
[ July 31, 2003, 04:31 PM: Message edited by: Bill Cosharek ]
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
Thanks Alf Any thoughts(price break)for (1)one of each? As in a "COMPLETE COLLECTION" Both for collectors,and personal interest subject?
Posted by Alfred Toy (Member # 3844) on :
You're welcome Pat. Actually, now that you mention it, I should have bartered a discount for the Bullboard. I'll talk to Lonnie and see if I can talk him into it. That way he can liquidate his inventory.
[ July 31, 2003, 11:00 PM: Message edited by: Alfred Toy ]
Posted by Alfred Toy (Member # 3844) on :
OK Everybody, you can get a 40% discount if you buy 1 copy of each title. I think that is a pretty good gesture from Lonnie..
[ August 01, 2003, 12:45 PM: Message edited by: Alfred Toy ]
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
Good work Alf THANKS Lonnie I will be in touch
Posted by Arthur Vanson (Member # 2855) on :
Alfred, I would love to take up Lonnie's offer; Do you think he would be interested in sending a set of books to England or would it all get a bit too complicated?
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Ditto to Arthur, I'd love a set in Australia (surface/sea mail) and could pass on a copule more sets, if I only knew if Mastercard was acceptable and how much for the total plus post was please. Thanks for the great offer. I wrote to Lonnie in the 1980's and do have one old book of his.
Posted by Alfred Toy (Member # 3844) on :
I'll talk to him and see what he thinks. My thought is that it shouldn't be a problem. He billed me for the books so I'm thinking he will do the same for you. Seeing as how most of you are businesses. Then all you have to do is send him a bank draft or money order. If you want I can forward the order as well as your addresses etc.
[ August 06, 2003, 12:57 PM: Message edited by: Alfred Toy ]
Posted by Alfred Toy (Member # 3844) on :
Hi Everybody, just spoke to Lonnie and what he has been doing is sending an invoice along with the books, then you can just pay the invoice, makes it much easier as he will be able to include the right amount for shipping. Also he has replaced his fax, so you can fax your orders, which makes it easier for him if you have an obscure address etc. His fax # is
FAX (314) 421-3044.
Posted by Dawn Ellis (Member # 3529) on :
Hi Alf, Thanks very much for this post and information. I just received my box of books from Lonnie Tettaton today and I'm sooo excited. I ordered one of everything (not knowing what I would get) total came to $85.00 and there is a wealth of information for me to devour. Also, I'm a leftie - any way I can get a copy of that leftie lettering chart? Thanks again - what a great find.
Posted by Robert Beverly (Member # 1907) on :
Alf
I too received my stack!...and I have enjoyed reading through the materials. It was worth every penny spent...
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Alfred Toy (Member # 3844) on :
Your welcome. Glad everybody enjoys their books. Wasn't sure how they would be rec'd, I didn't want to give bum info.
Dawn, I've put scans at the link below of the letter charts as well as an article of a leftie series in Sign Craft May/June 1988. This issue was sold out. Anyways there was a complete series about a newbie left hander by Ken Millar in the 1988 issues starting March/April. Too big to print from the browser so right click, save link target as.
![[Applause]](graemlins/clap.gif)
Hi Alf, Thanks very much for this post and information. I just received my box of books from Lonnie Tettaton today and I'm sooo excited. I ordered one of everything (not knowing what I would get) total came to $85.00 and there is a wealth of information for me to devour. Also, I'm a leftie - any way I can get a copy of that leftie lettering chart? Thanks again - what a great find.