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Showing posts with label matchbook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label matchbook. Show all posts

The Art of Art Instruction Inc. Draw Me! Free Talent Test! Vintage Matchbook Cover Art






















Do you like to draw?  Do you like to draw "do you like to draw" ads?  I presume millions saw these masterpieces of matchbook art.  I have no idea how many took the time to squeeze their name onto the address section inside, but "Art Instruction Inc." is still in business after 100 years.  With the demise of the matchbook (their former audience is literally dying off...you don't need a match for a vapor cigarette) they must advertise somewhere else. There is a pull-down menu on their website to indicate "How you heard about Art Instruction Schools" but matchbook isn't among the options.  If you did apply because you saw one of these mid-century beatnik-like ads, you would have to choose the "other" selection on the form.

One does not "attend" as the "school" is a correspondence program.  Fake colleges have made a comeback…real college is increasingly out of reach for those who need it most.  Who enrolls?  Well, they generally do not accept students UNDER 14.  What?  Until you are 14 years of age, I guess they want you to practice and apply when you've reached puberty. Another portion of the website says their students start as young as 13 and well into their 80s.



"MOM!  CAN I HAVE A STAMP"

Back in the old days, if one filled out a matchbook, they would likely be surprised by a jalopy-driving salesman at their door to close the deal.  They still have salesman dropping in, circling their allocated territory like Google mapping cars.  The program still employs  representatives who make scheduled appointments to obtain a signature in person. 

Their honor student was Charles Schultz.  He figures on the webpage today as a grateful student and actually taught there for a while…but he hardly grew beyond drawing circles.  I have seen Stephen Colbert draw a reasonable Snoopy, and I don't believe he attended. Other alumni include an editorial cartoonist, a Lucas film illustrator, a fashion illustrator, a wildlife artist or two (winner of the Federal Duck Stamp contest) and a set designer for Cecil B. Demille.  Pretty impressive…until one considers that is their 100 year track record.  Peanuts.

From what I can tell, the program costs $4285.00 (27 monthly payments of $150.00) plus the cost of postage to mail your work back and forth to headquarters.  They seem to have mail drops in every state.  I wondered about their policy on dropping out, and sure enough the program provides it on the website, state by state.  Here is the policy I would have:

State: Michigan
Cancelation Policy:
When Notice of Withdrawal is given: After five calendar days but before beginning training - a registration fee of 20% of the total tuition, not to exceed $200.00. After beginning of training - $200.00 registration fee plus 10% of the balance of the total tuition until 10% of the assignments are completed. After completing 10% of the assignments but prior to completing 25% of the assignments - $200.00 registration fee plus 25% of the balance of the total tuition. After completing 25% of the assignments but prior to completing 50% of the assignments - $200.00 registration fee plus 50% of the balance of the total tuition. After completing 50% of the assignments the full course price will be due.
Days no Responsibility: 5 days
Type: Percent - Cancel up to 50%
Registration Fee: $200.00


Can you draw?  Maybe the question should be Can you READ.  I can't figure it out.  It appears some 95% or so complete the program.

I have been interested in "self-taught" artists for decades.  There is no telling how many artists the school nurtured (or ruined) over the years, but I might have seen some of their work in antique malls.  There used to be category of artist known as "Sunday Artists" but the Art Instruction Inc. is open every day of the week. 

"MAIL COVER ONLY, NOT MATCHES"
 

Details of matchbook advertising circa 1950 - 1960.  Original matchbooks collection Jim Linderman 
 

Michigan Moonshine, Sin Tax and Pleasure Boating to Canada


The origin of stock car racing was the souped-up cars (and drivers) who eluded revenuers with fast and fancy driving over the hills and a trunk full of shine. That is Clem there on the left with a watchful eye on his still.

Here the state of Michigan promotes taxed liquor stores AND a stereotype of the hayseed moonshiner, rifle in hand, on a free book of matches presumably handed out at the state-sanctioned liquor store.

However, In Michigan, the rum-runners used boats! Many a fellow (and family) solved the depression blues with booze runs to Canada and back in their speedboats.

Decades later, as kids, we used to cross into Windsor still for their beer and cigarettes, both at the time superior to our own. A six-pack of Labatts was prized as the Canadians didn't use preservatives and sold it from state stores cold. Delicious. Their Players cigarettes were better too. Labatts was purchased and I presume ruined by Anheuser-Busch, and I am sure it isn't worth the drive anymore. American industry has a habit of eating upstarts and bringing their quality down to our own bland, flavorless size.

As for the smokes, If I did today, I'd roll my own. Who in their right mind would spend ten bucks for a pack of sticks? At that rate, it won't be long before folks start growing their own tobacco among the cornstalks instead of weed.

As you can see by this "public health" match book cover, moonshine was bad for you. "Clem is here...NAME YOUR POISON!" Of course, so was the "real" stuff (the kind the state took a cut from instead of organized crime) but at least it would poison you slowly. You could be fairly sure it wouldn't kill you for twenty years or so, and each fifth you consumed would help fill the state coffers.

The sin tax was good for you...how to you think those roads for Detroit's cars were created?

Other matches are HERE and HERE

Anti- Moonshine Matchbook 1935 Collection Jim Linderman


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