The 50th Anniversary of the Letterheads was held June 20-22 at the American Sign Museum (ASM, Cincinnati). The Letterheads, a group of sign artists dedicated to keeping alive the styles and crafts of classic signpainting, gathered to reunite with old friends, to learn and pass along techniques, and to leave their mark on the ASM as no other group does, by literally painting murals that become permanent parts of the museum. The editors of Signs of the Times were in attendance, and captured some of the many fascinating scenes throughout the event for you here.

PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS BY: Mark Kissling and Mildred Nguyen

An impromptu lettering that truly captures the adventurous artistic spirit of those in attendance, featuring Sharpie marker on skin.

ASM Founder Tod Swormstedt, who helped to spread news of the group more widely in ST starting back in 1981, delivers the opening remarks in The Gallery.

One of the many projects that could be found scattered around The Gallery, this one already finished by the time of Tod’s remarks.

Art that can’t wait: During Tod’s speech, an attendee began to sketch her shoe on the paper covering that lined The Gallery floor.

In the first of the seminars offered in the Theater, Ross Hastie speaks on lettering and layout — UK style.

Russell Kelly, one of many Canadian Letterheads in attendance, starts the background of a classic auto mural at the top corner of a wall in The Gallery.

Among the 10 vendors with tables at the event, Sam Roberts (left), editor of BLAG (Better Letters Magazine), looks up from his list. To the right, Chris Mack, owner of the Andrew Mack & Son Brush Co., sold out of their signature product on day one.

A painter at work in The Gallery while a packed seminar by David Kynatson takes place in the classroom beyond the doorway.

Dressed in matching Brain Squad shirts, ST Assistant Editor Mildred Nguyen (left) and Editor-in-Chief Mark Kissling distribute copies of the June issue and also show off David Butler’s ST Centennial Edition (2006) cover design.

W&B Gold Leaf, a vendor neighboring ST’s table, proved quite popular with their impressive array of gilding products, paints, brushes and other paraphernalia.

The last but not least agenda item for day one was Raymond Chapman’s dedication of a collaborative David Butler-designed, Jeff Lang-created plaque of the recently passed Kent H. Smith for the Maisonette display, which Kent had gilded less than a year before.

Kent’s daughters unveil the plaque.

On day two, Pete McKernan offers the first seminar — on vertical screen printing — in the museum’s classroom area.

In the Theater, Nancy Bennett reviews the legendary Mark Baty’s color theory.

At the back of the Barn Room was a table where attendees could display their portfolios and other examples of their work. Here is just a sampling of the many creative ways the 50th anniversary is rendered in memorabilia.

ST’s Mildred Nguyen wearing the event T-shirt, designed by David Butler.

Elaine Wallis, in a familiar pose, painting a mural in The Gallery.

A Gallery mural in the process of completion on day two of the event.

An attendee paints, using one of the scores of easels both here in The Gallery and outside for the Panel Jam.

Andrew McClellan and Kelsey Dalton McClellan deliver a seminar in the Theater about the discovery and preservation of “ghost signs” found in Chicago in 2022, and the subsequent publication of a book on the Chicago Look.

What it’s all about: A keeper of the craft (left) instructs a first-time Letterhead while using a mahl stick.

The museum’s Barn Room (named for its authentic Mail Pouch Tobacco barn wall) serves as the proper setting for Bob Behounek to discuss the Chicago Look, the golden era of sign design and the Beverly Sign Co. The photos to his left and right show ghost signs discovered in Chicago in 2022, one of which is now on display at the museum.

The presenter panels were designed by David Butler in the style of Mike Stevens, whose showcards were on display in the Bill Reidel memorial signshop during the meet, according to Tod Swormstedt.

One of the museum’s exterior walls, given over to signatures from many attendees, such as these two doing their very best lettering.

Very little escapes paint and brush at a Letterhead event. These efforts on the museum’s dumpster reprise a job from the 40th anniversary.

This group shot on day three includes only a fraction of all who gathered. Earn 10 points for being able to spot Tod.

Right after the full-group shot, many of the women attendees gathered for one of their own. Within seconds of taking this, ST’s Mark Kissling was told — by everyone — to get out of the museum photographer’s wider-angle picture.

One generous attendee brought dozens of old copies of Signs of the Times — plus a nifty sign, to boot. “Only one old copy per Letterhead please” was the understanding. Sharing: That’s the Letterhead way.