#### [AN ECLECTIC LIBRARY](index.html). Showcard Writing. ==============  *The art of lettering small signs for store displays and similar purposes.* [*Sign and Show Card Writing*](https://archive.org/details/signshowcardwrit00butt). A series of lessons prepared by Chas. F. Butterworth for the “Chicago Dry Goods Reporter.” Chicago: Dry Goods Reporter Co., 1899. —“The following series of lessons is a concise and complete treatise on show card and sign writing, fully illustrated and explained, so that it will be of practical use to every merchant who desires to make his place of business attractive or to call attention to various offerings, which would otherwise be unnoticed.” [*A Textbook on Show-Card Writing*](https://archive.org/details/textbookonshowca00inte). Show-card writing, show-card design and ornament, letter formation. International Correspondence Schools. Scranton: International Textbook Company, 1903. —“The present volume will undoubtedly fill a long-felt want for a full and exhaustive treatment of the subject of Show-Card Writing. The text is clear and comprehensive and the subject is treated in such a manner that it can not only be readily understood by beginners but can also be consulted as a work of reference by experts. We are not aware of any previous attempt to prepare a work of this kind.” [*Modern Show Card Lettering, Designs, Etc*](https://archive.org/details/modernshowcardle01thom). With 2000 bright clear-cut advertising phrases for display signs, show cards, and posters. By W. A. Thompson. Pontiac (Mich.): The Thompson School of Lettering, 1903. —“A special and distinctive feature in this book is the careful arrangement of graded copies and instruction designed for practical business purposes. Many have grown discouraged trying to learn the art alone. To those this book comes as a most welcome aid by giving reliable and trustworthy instructions with copies for practice.” [Revised edition](https://archive.org/details/modernshowcardle00thom), 1906. [*The Art of Show Card Writing*](https://archive.org/details/artofshowcardwr00stro). A Modern Treatise on Show Card Writing, designed as an educator in all branches of the art—Contains many beautiful designs and complete and comprehensive instruction in pen and brush lettering—Also the latest and best methods—With two hundred and fifty-six Illustrations and thirty-two Lettering Plates, comprising all the standard ancient and modern styles. By Charles J. Strong, President of the Detroit School of Lettering. Detroit: The Detroit School of Lettering, 1907. [*Druggists’ and Dispensers’ Practical Show Card Instructor*](https://archive.org/details/druggistsdispen00thom). Published by W. A. Thompson, Pontiac, Mich., U.S.A., 1909. —“In addition to a full variety of practical alphabets and exercises, a large number of business-bringing show cards are reproduced which will enable any one of ordinary ability to make attractive card signs in spare time that will increase business.” [Revised edition](https://archive.org/details/druggistsdispens00thom), 1914. [*Fairchild’s Rapid Letterer and Show-Card Maker*](https://archive.org/details/fairchildsrapidl00hack). Commercial Alphabet Construction with Brush or Pen, Line Engraving and Air-brush Work. Color Mixtures and Color Harmony. The Quickest Methods in Designing for Magazine and Newspaper Advertising, Etc. Compiled by Sidney Hackes. New York and Chicago: Fairchild Company, 1910. —“Card writers earn from $15 to $50 a week, and although women have not as yet entered the field, they could readily do so by mastering the simpler methods of pen and brush work, for making price tickets, and smaller window cards.” [*Instructions on Modern Show Card Writing*](https://archive.org/details/instructionsonmo00biss/). Practical Instructions on Show Card Writing With the Brush and Pen—Covering All the Modern Methods in the Elementary Rudiments of this Art—With Appropriate Illustrations and Modern Show Card Alphabets. Valuable Suggestions on the Care of Brushes, Preliminary Preparation and Many Other Valuable Hints. By J. G. Bissel. New York: J. G. Bissell Company, 1913. [*Baker’s Show Card Book*](https://archive.org/details/bakersshowcardbo00bake/). Written and published by William J. Baker. Portland (Oregon), 1916. [*One Hundred Alphabets for the Show Card Writer*](https://archive.org/details/onehundredalphab00chic). A collection of the best alphabets used by the leading show card writers, with many examples of show cards and window signs for all occasions. Fourth edition. Chicago: The Merchants Record Co., 1919. —“The alphabets cover practically every style of lettering that is now in general use, and the cards and price-tickets will furnish a variety of suggestions as to lay-out, arrangement and decoration for cards and tickets of all kinds.” [*Show Card Writing*](https://archive.org/details/showcardwritingf00unitiala/) for disabled soldiers, sailors and marines to aid them in choosing a vocation. Opportunity Monograph, Vocational Rehabilitation Series No. 38. Prepared by the Federal Board for Vocational Education and issued in cooperation with the Office of the Surgeon General, War Department, and Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy Department. May, 1919. —“Because the merchant believes that seeing is very likely to mean buying he finds the show-card writer indispensable to his business. Whether large or small, every store needs these display cards with their catchy announcements to aid in promoting business.” [*One Hundred Loose Leaf Lessons in Lettering with Pen & Brush*](https://archive.org/details/onehundredloosel00gord). Gordon system, adapting the familiar music staff as an aid to correct alignment and construction of letters, introducing a series of alphabets for show card writing and commercial art work. By Wm. Hugh Gordon. Cincinnati: The Signs of the Times Pub. Co., 1920. [*Daily’s Showcard Writing System*](https://archive.org/details/dailysshowcardwr00hurs/). Complete in thirty-four lessons. Published by Bert L. Daily, Dayton, Ohio, 1921. —“The series of lessons was written by Messrs. A. E. Hurst and C. J. Nowak of the Economist Training School, both of whom are authorities on showcard writing instruction.” [*Modern Show Card Writing*](https://archive.org/details/modernshowcardwr01jowi/). With 151 illustrations. By Joseph Bertram Jowett, Professional Show Card Writer, Show Card Instructor, Advertising Specialist and Merchandising Expert. Chicago: The National Drug Clerk, Inc., 1922. —“While this book is primarily intended for the beginner, it will be found helpful to anyone who has had some amateur experience at lettering and desires to improve and add a commercial touch to his work, thereby enhancing the general appearance of the store and increasing sales—which means more money to him.” [*Practical Phrases \[sic\] of Show Card Writing*](https://archive.org/details/practicalphrases00stlo). A complete manual of the best and latest methods of brush and pen lettering with comprehensive color notes embracing all the most appropriate alphabets, abundantly and accurately illustrated with full description of all the materials necessary. St. Louis: St. Louis Show Card School, \[1922]. [*Principles and Practice of Show-Card Writing*](https://archive.org/details/principlespracti00blairich). Prepared in the Exztension Division of the University of Wisconsin. By Lawrence E. Blair. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1922. —“The text is not a collection of ornamental alphabets, nor is it a series of recipes and tricks of the trade. It is a radical departure in this respect from the usual book on this subject. The aim has been to present the fundamentals of the construction of standard show-card styles of lettering, the principles of layout, arrangement, color theory and practice, and show-card advertising principles, together with descriptions of new methods, mediums, and opportunities which have been developed with such rapidity in the last few years.” [*Elements of Show Card Writing*](https://archive.org/details/elementsofshowca00dewi). By John H. DeWild. New York: Prepared for the Educational Department of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World, 1923. [*Sign Painting Course*](https://archive.org/details/ECMatthewsSignPaintingCourse/). A complete self-instruction course for home study…for the beginner as well as the full fledged sign man who wants to improve and modernize his techniques. By E. C. Matthews, Director, New Era Design Studios. Chicago: Nelson-Hall Co., 1958. Catalogues of Supplies. ---------------------------- ☛See also the page of catalogues of [Stationery and Art Supplies](Stationery-and-Art-Supplies.html). [Illustrated Catalog of Sign Painter’s and Card Writer’s Supplies](https://archive.org/details/illustratedcatal00detr/). Supply Department, The Detroit School of Lettering, \[1908]. [Supply Equipment Catalog for the National Show Card Writer](https://archive.org/details/CatalogueOfSppliesForTheNationalShowCardWriter). Manufactured by National Sign Stencil Company, 1936.