JF Ptak Science Books   Post 1367

This alphabet fell into place almost by itself as I wandered through this maze of business motivational pamphlets published by Men of America Inc (of Chicago), all printed in the late 1930’s to about 1941.  The design of the covers of this series is sensational (and I gulp wind as I say this) in very short and limited ways, just like it is sensational to watch a motionless penguin for a long time and then to see it suddenly turn its head to the left.  But these images served a very dedicated purpose when they were printed, and were even perhaps useful,or successful, as this publication saw at least 500 different numbers in this series.

Perhaps more interesting–where did these models come from? 

I think many of these covers are fantastic: charmingly naive, naively bizarre, cluttered with fantastically abandoned sentiments, and dripping with design elements all but forgotten and/or abandoned.  They are beautiful in their own special way.  And I’m not so sure that I wouldn’t want to go back in time, read them and take their lesson to heart. (All are available for purchase via our blog bookstore.)

A is for AIM to keep workers happy and profit happier

B is for BURN and hoping for a better-built candle

C is for CAPITALIST, an exclamation point in a land of question marks