Victorian Theatre Programme

(Above) A Victorian theatre programme (cover) for 'Sweet Nancy' at the Royalty Theatre
"every evening at 9 o'clock punctually",  gate-folded DL printed on card.
(click image to enlarge)

(Above) Inside Spread
(click image to enlarge)

(Above) Detail: El-Ancor dinner claret advertisement

(Above) Detail: Aspinall's Enamel advertisment

(Above) Detail: Dr Duncan's advertisment

And just in case, you were wondering what mouilla soap is, 

the following comes from "The Nursing Record & Hospital World", Oct 6, 1897

(courtesy of rcnarchive.rcn.org.uk/data/.../page295-volume19-09thoctober1897.pdf)

Design: Nick Sherman

(above) Vintage-style flyer design by Nick Sherman (copyright). (Click image to enlarge)

Definitely have a closer look at Nick Sherman's design gallery here. He includes fascinating images of his inspiration, studies, draft designs and style references.

Typeface - great characters, both wooden and human.

This downbeat 'trailer' (6 minutes) explores a vintage art: letterpress printing with movable wooden type. I want to see this movie. I like it already. I want to touch those big letters and see the bright ink come up on the page. Technology is useful but old school rules.



The title sequence/trailer below is also definitely worth a squizz.




Below, inspiring typographic design associated with the film, Typeface.
All proceeds from the sale of the limited edition prints featured below will go towards completion and distribution funds for Typeface.

(above) Typeface Print by David Ichiyama.

(above) Typeface Print by Dennis Ichiyama.
More by Dennis Ichiyama here.

(above) Print by Nick Sherman.
More Nick Sherman.

(above) Print by Stacey Stern.

All the above prints and others are available here.

Street Art - Faith47 - bread & land

Just saw this new artwork on Albert Rd today and synchronously see it on Faith's great art blog.
Since the City of Cape Town passed a bylaw making graffiti illegal (and making building owners liable), there seems to be more street art then ever. With beautiful and powerful pieces like this punctuating the city, bring it on.

Typography - Music Video - Eggs & Sausage

Eggs and Sausage from Jackie Lay on Vimeo.

Song by Tom Waits. Design, photography and lettering by Jackie Lay.

City signs and slow sounds. So smooth...
Some images below.

City Lights

This newspaper ad for Charlie Chaplin's City Lights appeared in the Rand Daily Mail, Johannesburg, 1931.

The design & type are classic (bordering on generic) but the copy is a hoot.

Clearly not afraid of hyperbole, patrons were promised "The King of Comedy in the supreme laugh sensation of the century. The greatest cure for blues, gloom and trouble ever concocted by the Sunshine Doctor of good cheer. A series of hilarious adventures to warm the hearts of the world".

The style of the title is synonymous with the 30's but the chunky letters and hand-painted feel give it a fresh feeling.
You can get a similar look with MVB Bovine from FontShop. Or you might like ITC Mr Chuckles, amongst others, from Fontscape. These sites are easy to browse and high quality, though for non-commercial or home use, you might want to do a separate search for free fonts.

BTW I'm looking forward to sharing a whimsical cityscape with you by Cape Town artist and illustrator, Julia Anastasopoulos. Look out for it soon.