The Letterville BullBoard: Old Atkinson Book Found, 1912 "A Show at Sho Cards"

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Posted by Larry Elliott (Member # 263) on :

Found this on eBay a few months back through a dealer in Scotland that I usually buy antique game marbles from, he also picks up a few odd pieces at estate sales and this was a rare find for me. It's a 1912 copy of "A Show At Sho Cards" by F.H. Atkinson and G.W. Atkinson. Hardback cover, 9"x11.5" printed on 110# stock, the first 45 or so pages are text and instructions on tools, equipment and techniques and the rest (approximately 220 pages) are printed one side with examples of their work and a couple dozen hand-lettered alphabets. The last 4 pages are advertisements for supplies, books and equipment, a 'Signs of The Times' subscription for $1 a year, Atkinson's other book 'Atkinson, His Book, Sign Painting' listed for $3 and an ad for Paasche Air Brushes with a photo of a man using one on a sign (the air-compressor in the background looks like something out of a Rube Goldberg creation).

I may have paid too much as for actual value, won the bid at $75 and paid another $20 for shipping and handling but I'm satisfied at having bought and preserved a quality piece of signmaking history. And sorry, no, it's not for sale.

Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :

If it is truely a 1912 edition (not 1913 or 1918 reprints with copyrights also for those years) then it is a classic. Not many of the first editions around. It also answers questions about how things were done in the "old days" as so many lament.

[ August 21, 2003, 11:50 AM: Message edited by: Kent Smith ]

Posted by Alfred Toy (Member # 3844) on :

If you are looking for another one.

Atkinson, F. H; Atkinson, G. W.
Show at Sho'Cards, A; Comprehensive Complete Concise
Chicago, IL: Frederic J. Drake, 1912 Hardcover 4to. Good+. First Edition Thus. 47p 121 figures/illustrations
Bookseller Inventory #2000001843

Price: US$ 70.00

Bookseller: Daniel's Books, 13334 NE 80th Street, , Redmond, WA, U.S.A., 98052

Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :

I have Atkinson's 1909 book Sign Painting. Picked it up in Geneva Illinois about five years ago for $75. I also have the Signs of the Times book with color renditions of Atkinson's art by modern Letterheads. Mike Jackson graciously sent over some background information on Atkinson which is kept with the books.

This material is so wonderful I don't know how you would put a price on it.

I think you got a bargain at $70. Vic G

Posted by Terry Baird (Member # 3495) on :

I've got a 1912 (copyright 1912) edition that my mentor left me in his will. What a great book! He also left 50 or so sign related books ranging from the Atkinson book up to a signed Mastering Layout 1st edition. He also left me his original sign kit along with 30+ handmade German quills (he didn't like the commercial brushes). I haven't had the balls to use them, but they're gorgeous quills.

[ August 21, 2003, 01:11 PM: Message edited by: Terry Baird ]

Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :

Hey Terry - I'm betting that those quills were left to you cause your mentor thought you could make magic with them. I'm thinking that he meant for them to be with someone who would put them to use - be really brave and try one out, just take good care of it [Big Grin]

- Just my opinion [Wink]

Posted by Ed_Solheim (Member # 1400) on :

A bit sad to admit this, but...

Kelly,
That's some of the niciest thing I've heard in a long time. What a nice compliment! [Applause]

Posted by Terry Baird (Member # 3495) on :

Thanks Kelly, What a nice comment. I actually haven't touched a brush in over a month and I feel pretty bad about it. I'm going in for an operation shortly and won't be doing any heavy production for a few months, maybe it's time to "play" with my brushes again. Thanks again for the encouragement.

Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :

Question: How do you tell if it's a first edition? I have a hardback Mastering Layout book that I bought in 86. In the front, says "Copyright 1986", but nothing as far as specifically "first edition" or anything like that.

I met Mike Stevens a few months before his passing and wish I'd have had the book with me to get autographed.

Posted by Terry Baird (Member # 3495) on :

Hi Don, actually I don't know that it's a first edition. All I have to go on in this case is Tim's story that Mike signed and gave it to him before they were actually on sale. I never really gave it much thought. I wish I would have had the opportunity to meet Mike Stevens though. Does anyone know if there's a way to tell if it's a first edition?

Posted by Alfred Toy (Member # 3844) on :

The lowest number in the number line indicates which print batch the copy belongs to. So, 123456789 shows that this is a first printing, as is 987654321 or even 13579864, where 23456789 normally indicates a second printing.

Posted by Bob Ficucell (Member # 1460) on :

There's a copy of his book on Ebay right now for $99 Ouch!
I'm going to be listing on Ebay a copy of Atkinson' last book Sign Art, and its signed by Frank. Bob

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