Signs of the Times

July 1919 Signs of the Times Cover Features Woman Installer

Plus, an editorial shoutout to a talented woman showcard writer.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Signs of the Times Staff Signs of the Times April 2024 Issue

Looking Up Women in Signs

THIS COVER FOR the July 1919 issue of Signs of the Times was one of just two to interrupt our string of “Edgar Alan Poe signwriter” covers between April 1918 and August 1920 (see ST, February 2024). Notable is the fact that a woman is not only “installing” a sign, but that two “doughboys” (US soldiers in uniform) are also looking up at her admiringly, perhaps in a nod to women performing what had traditionally been considered “men’s work” during World War I. See this and other issues dating back to 1906 at signsofthetimes.com/archive.

Hangin’ Signs at the Y-M-C-A!
The woman shown posting a bill for a location’s weekly entertainment at the YMCA is also wearing a YMCA hat. Even back then, it was fun to stay at the YMCA!
Show Card Wonder Woman
Page 28 of this issue makes mention that “Miss Marian Hill is doing the cards for the L. S. Ayres Store in Indianapolis and is turning out some very fine pen work. This young lady handles from one hundred to three hundred cards daily and turns them out, with ease.”

Introducing the Sign Industry Podcast

The Sign Industry Podcast is a platform for every sign person out there — from the old-timers who bent neon and hand-lettered boats to those venturing into new technologies — we want to get their stories out for everyone to hear. Come join us and listen to stories, learn tricks or techniques, and get insights of what’s to come. We are the world’s second oldest profession. The folks who started the world’s oldest profession needed a sign.