Jazz Signers

“Autographs” is stamped in gold across the top of the book’s bright green cover, and in the corner is a little girl holding an umbrella. While it might look like something to be passed around a 5^th grade classroom on the last day of school, this darling autograph book was actually passed around the nightclubs of Winnipeg, Manitoba in the 1940s. It's filled with signatures of some of the greats, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, and Gene Krupa. 

The book is for sale now, on eBay.

San Fermin Posters from Pamplona

The partying in Pamplona for the festival of San Fermin gets underway on July 6^th, so that by the next day there will be plenty of folks drunk enough to participate in the encierro, the city’s famous Running of The Bulls. The all-night drinking, to be followed by a morning bull-run, will take place every day through July 14^th, as the bulls are let out from their pen and charge up to the bullring.

The week of festivities is in honor of the patron saint of Navarra, Saint Fermin, a 13^th Century local who was martyred in France. It includes a grand procession where musical bands, city officials, and the 19^th-Century papier mache “Giants” accompany the figure of the saint through the streets.

The Municipal Archive of Pamplona houses a collection of official San Fermin posters dating back to the 1880s. Starting in 1924, the original artwork for the posters has been preserved as well. There are so many fantastic posters in the collection. Here is a small sampling, beginning with this year's model.

2009

2003

1998

1996

1991

1990

1988

1975

1974

1970

1963

1950

1948

1940

1932

1911

1900

In Praise of Excellence

It’s that time of year--graduation season is in full swing and you can watch the Scripps National Spelling Bee on ESPN. Here are some examples of award certificates before they were overrun by cartoon bees, smiling stars, and high-fiving books. 

Black & Blue, with Points

MoMA 25th Anniversary Bulletin. I think that what I like most about the bold cover design by Leo Leonni, are those quiet lines of type.

Chichu Art Museum in Naoshima, Japan.

Two works by California hard-edge painter John Barbour, mid 1960s.

Found Polaroids, subject matter, unknown.

I’m still working on a term for these images that share similarities in appearance, but otherwise have no connection (see Of eBay and Empires).  Suggestions are welcome.

Ephemera Friday: Green Pieces

Not too much that's Irish here, but I'm going green from St. Paddy's Day with ephemera from my personal archive. Is drinking good for the environment? Have a great weekend!