John H. De Wild

“ There should be absolute silence in the classroom, and students should be so arranged that the instructor and assistants may pass rapidly from one chair to another, watching each student, and making corrections wherever necessary. The instructor should provide himself with a pen or brush as necessary, and use a separate sheet of paper in showing the students the correct method of making certain letters. ”

“ Making the curves is a combined arm, wrist and finger movement and the student must bear in mind at all times that the hand must drag the brush. Do not try to push the brush. KEEP THE HAND AHEAD OF THE BRISTLES, and keep the chisel edge of the brush always at right angles with the width of stroke.
Also endeavor to keep the brush somewhat more perpendicular than with the Roman lettering. Many showcard writers hold the brush so that the handle is exactly erect or horizontal and a trifle forward of the third joint of the index finger. ”

“ Price cards shown in the center of the reproduction were made of white cardboard. Numerals were written in with black ink with model “B” speed ball pen. Each card features a different colored, flat band border of dark blue, tangerine, maroon, orange, mauve and bright yellow, respectively. This border is made by “chiseling” the brush out perfectly flat and laying it full width, or whatever width may be desired, on the edge of the card and dragging it steadily down on each edge of the card. Colored borders on price cards add much to their attractiveness. ”

“ Be very careful in choosing brushes, and get good brushes. Professional card writers prefer the best red sable obtainable, and with reasonable care, a good brush will last a lifetime. Also be sure of the sizes. Brush numbers are confusing, and there is a series of sizes larger than the “Rigger,” with duplicate numbers. The term “rigger” means the short handled brush, and this style brush also has somewhat shorter bristles than the larger models. ”

“ Capitals can only be used in connection with the lower case letters. Some of the other alphabets, more specifically the “Egyptian,” work out very effectively in “solid caps.” However, this effect can never obtain in the case of the “Old English.”
The alphabet as shown on the plate is self-explanatory as to combination of strokes. The letters may be made with the brush held at an angle square with the stroke, emphasizing the fine lines, or they may be made with the broad point pen, depending on the size desired. ”

“ FOR BRUSH OR PEN
Plates used by permission of Ely & Walker Dry Goods Co., St. Louis.
[30]
PEN OR BRUSH “ITALIC”
The “Italic” is a very necessary alphabet in card writing.
The name is derived from the slanting appearance of the letters. In using this style of lettering be careful to have the “slopes” or “slants” uniform.
The angle as shown on the chart is the preferred “slant.” In practice work, to maintain uniformity, students should rule off their cards or practice sheets as indicated by the broken lines. ”

“ Fundamentals—See Large Chart.
On the adjoining page is shown the plain speedball alphabet, one of the simplest alphabets that can be formed. The light lines show the direction in which the pen should move in forming the letters, and the numerals indicate the order in which the strokes should be made.
Keep the “foot” of the round speedball pen flat on the surface of the paper or cardboard and press down with considerable force so that the pen makes a full, even stroke.
Do not carry too much ink, as it will run and spoil your work. ”

“ Experience demonstrates the fact that classes of this kind are made up of students from all walks of life; many of them without experience, and the majority of these young men and women come from the smaller stores in outlying districts. ”

“ If this is impossible, the next best method is to provide large tables, slightly lower than thirty inches, and chairs where students may sit at their ease, in using their drawing boards.
As the work progresses, the tables should be raised, so that those who desire may stand up. This will enable the students to do better work, especially when the brush work is being practiced. ”

“ It is necessary, of course, to attach the air brush to some sort of tank containing air, and for those who use the air brush a great deal, nothing is more convenient than the carbonic air tank furnished by any carbonic gas company. ”

“ Broad Point Pen Single Stroke Roman—See Chart for Practice
This is a very beautiful alphabet when properly made. Students should note the graceful curves—and practice each letter carefully and faithfully from the large charts. ”

“ This style card is reproduced for the purpose of showing that an extended card such as this, which is called the “landscape layout,” should have an extended price that will be in keeping with the general proportions of the card.
Card No. 3. Size 6×12 inches. Light green mottled mat board with lettering in light blue outlined with dark blue and then decorated with dots of white and black. This shows a very pretty card for single price, and in this size also the price figures should conform to the general outline of the card. ”

“ It is suggested that students procure from their printers or wholesale paper houses, catalogs of samples and sizes of the various cardboards, etc., and familiarize themselves with the weights, colors, names, etc. ”

“ The card in the center shows the design after being copied on the showcard. The stencil itself was placed on white showcard, size 14×22, and the air brush color was blown about the margin of the stencil, with the result as shown. The lettering on this design was done with a large size model “C” Speed Ball pen.
The two cards shown to the right are illustrations of how to proceed in doing “spatter” work. The card at the top shows the panel cut out, and this was placed over the card shown just below. ”