An Alphabet of Unintentionally Semi-Absurd Motivational Images, Business Publications, 1930's

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

D is for DICTATOR who may not look like this

E is for EASY though few things are

F is for FRANKNESS and saying too much

G is for GAMBLE and the craps that it shakes

H is for Handcuffs and their worsted and cufflinks

I is for Indifferent and the pain of the too-big hat

J is for JOB and the love of white shirts

L is for LEADERSHIP and its need for slick hair

M is for MONEY and the need that it brings

N is for NATTERING and the pains that it causes

O is for OBSTACLE and the hopes that they are see-through

P is for PROUD and the Pure Holy Light

Q is for QUIT if the Board makes not enough

R is for READ and read 'till it hurts

S is for SECURITY is not being ashamed of a too-short tie

T is for TEMPORARY something that we all are

U is for UNEMPLOYMENT which few people will be in 1939

W is for WAGES and the wish for yet more

Y is for YOU to get off of the phone

Z is for ZERO and the lack of all want

Comments

[Veach-glines.blogspot.com]

Thank you for this post as well as the Alpha-Vile Alphabet Autopsy of lost emotions article (comments unactivated on that post, or I would have). I pay homage to these with my own Alpha-vile Autopsy. I always enjoy reading your articles. - Veach