Before vinyl or even water slide.
Walter, I love your wonderful words and pearls of wisdom!Life has taught me there are things I can do, and things I often know how to do I should let others do instead of wasting $$$$.
Mom was working for a Lawyer firm that had moved to their new office and was getting the glass lettered in gold leaf, a sign you were a BIG DOG. I was getting to watch the man work. Mom was I think gloating over my ability. Of course I understood separating the egg would yield the glue that held the gold leaf to the glass. Yup, by then I made a decent meringue too and understood egg whites & cream are only whipped in copper. The concept of gold being beaten between layers of goat skin so thin you could break the gold by touching it was new though.
One of the litigators standing there reading his messages told the painter he'd appreciate the painter answering my questions because he had to be in Court or he'd be there watching. The name partner only asked if they'd be asking questions individually or have a conference session with me. He regularly paid me to trail his wife to and from Court since she was Diabetic. Later in the day the painter asked Mom if he could send me to Sullivans for another book of leaf, 10 sheets make sure the envelope was sealed. He wanted to be sure because he'd be handing me $68- cash(1951). Partner reading phone slips tells him nothing to be concerned about, I'm the best messenger they have. Nobody looks at a kid with an envelope. I get to Sullivans the counter man is waiting to show me the book is sealed before he puts it in the envelope with the change. He was happy to answer my questions too. If I was going by in the future feel free to stop in for a Coke, he had spare time on the counter. He'd even walk me around and show me the monorail the cash baskets rode from counter to the cashier up on the balcony.
Got back to the Lawyer and learned to hang leaf on eggwhite and why it went on only in 1 direction especially if it was going to krinkle, and most important why the lettering hangs with and on the glass instead of level. I learned about black only and 2 tone shadowing the letter as well. Learned the whole back wears a raincoat of candy paper not butcher paper till the painter is finished, and individual letters get coated with Valspar clear # 10 varnish for their protection.
At end of day I learned even though there was a tiny gold W in the corner of Jay's I'd never be a sign painter. Just didn't have the hands for it according to the Master. It hurt to hear even if it was true. I also knew working in reverse inside glass was difficult, and I understood things 1000 men coming down the street never would.
I once more thanked my Grandmother for teaching me to see and possibly more important to remember what I have learned.
Twas a much different world back then, better/worse I never ran a scoresheet today I'm afraid to.