2 Responses to “Sam Lee RIP”

1. Kristin says:

   01.12.04 at 2:19 pm

   We definitely need more information about sign-painters on the web. Here in Minneapolis we have the amazing Phil VanderVaart: 1, 2

   Chank even created the font Swingdancer inspired by Phil’s work:

   Yet there is no decent source for images of Phil’s work or that of the many other great sign painters in these parts. They tend to have a certain affinity with Ned Ludd, which is part of the reason they are not to be found in the digital world. Sigh.
2. Mabarak says:

   01.13.04 at 1:00 pm

   Well, before we gather round the old harmonium to sing

   ‘Time like a rolling stream
   Bears all his sons away,’

   or maybe

   ‘Change and decay all around me I see,’

   instead let’s tune into Schiller (as set by Beethoven) -

   ‘O Freunde, nicht diese töne’

   …because in fact not all is lost. Let me cite first of all Mark Eastman, a Californian signpainter himself who noticed that some grand old signs were fast departing and so took his camera along with him on the job to record what he could.

   Then there are the engaging folks at The Fontry busy digitising the wonderful work of the sadly departed Frank H.Atkinson and Alf R.Becker. Take a look and warm your hearts.

   Mb