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September 26, 2008
Seraphic Book of A,B,C
I like to take snapshots of doorways, interesting geometric patterns, my girlses footwear—and signs.
I love signs.
Signs and billboards serve to announce commerce, civic commands, information, and geography. The best of them are finely crafted art. Most often signs are, um, signs of the times indicating trends in fashion and the changing face of advertising.
Signs are also, as Proust would say, a remembrance of things past, precious time capsules, for stores go out of business, famous advertising slogans sink into obscurity, company logos evolve, and popular type fonts—remember the ubiquitous Helvetica?—disappear with alarming speed.
A few years ago, Offsprings #2, and #3 suggested that we create an alphabet book by using the first letters of every sign. It became a family activity. Some letters are easy to find: B, C, D and S are a dime a dozen. Q is pretty darn rare. X is precious as gold, and so refusing to default to the dreary Xerox, we cheated, inventing our own artful X.
Here then is one of our ABC books.
Enjoy!
Karen and I wish all our friends a peaceful and spiritually rewarding Shabbat.
And as we prepare to welcome 5769, we hope that all of your prayers be fulfilled. L'Shana Tova.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at September 26, 2008 08:40 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Alphabetically artistic, Robert.
I C U and the Avrech women certainly know your
A B Cs.
Posted by: Pearl at September 26, 2008 08:57 AM
Enjoyed the "OSHER MARKET". Fun series.
Posted by: Leora at September 26, 2008 09:04 AM
Very good. We have this game we play sometimes while driving of finding letters in signs, license plates etc. It doesn't count unless you find them in alphabetical order. You'd be surprised at how rare K can be, at least on the highways we drive.
Posted by: kishke at September 26, 2008 10:09 AM
Fantastic!
Posted by: SJ at September 26, 2008 10:51 AM
" ... X is precious as gold, and so refusing to default to the dreary Xerox, we cheated, inventing our own artful X ... "
always suspected that you don't really check out new hollywood films ;-))
(OK so they really don't make films like they used to,
but how hard would it be in L.A. to get a picture of a poster for this film:
alternatively,
to have a 'golden' X
you might have to go to Dublin, Ireland to get a picture of the company's headquarters ;-)
http://www.xcommunications.ie/
Good Shabbos!
Posted by: exdemexlib at September 26, 2008 11:02 AM
Q's. That place is an old hangout of mine. Haven't been there in about 15 years or so. Good memories.
Posted by: Jack at September 26, 2008 11:13 AM
Pearl:
U 2:-)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at September 26, 2008 01:26 PM
Leora:
The "osher" is one of my favorites. Stroke of luck.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 26, 2008 01:28 PM
Kishke:
Need to make a "K-ishke" sign and put it on the highways for you and your family.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at September 26, 2008 01:30 PM
SJ:
Thanks so much.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at September 26, 2008 01:34 PM
Exdem:
Forgot to mention that one of our rules is no movie or TV posters.
But wow, that Dublin X logo is amazing. Just might sojourn to Dublin for the shot:-)
Good Shabbos.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at September 26, 2008 01:38 PM
Jack:
As I said, via Proust, signs are a remembrance of things past.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at September 26, 2008 01:40 PM
Brilliant. Find a gallery.
Posted by: Barzilai at September 26, 2008 02:04 PM
Barzilai:
You are too kind. Have a great Shabbos.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at September 26, 2008 02:20 PM
great idea. inspires me to start taking pics of signage again. at university we had a lot of assignments about typography and signage and it's something i really enjoy. thanks for sharing!
the older signs are amazing, like from another era. one of my favourites is from downtown LA, the lettering of the Orpheum theatre and a huge sign on that building or one of the ones nearby.
shana tova, ketivah v'chatimah tova and shavua tov :)
Posted by: ~ Sarah ~ at September 27, 2008 03:22 AM
Sarah:
Yes, typography on signage is just fascinating. Glad we can serve as an inspiration.
Shana Tova, k'tivah v'chatima tova.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at September 28, 2008 08:59 AM