Book the Trip: 30 Years of Folk Lettering in 700 Photographs

Alastair A. Johnston, a renowned master printer and author of various works focused on type, typography, and design, has released 'Book the Trip' through Poltroon Press. This travelogue, which took 40 years to complete, showcases 700 photographs of unique and rare letterforms. Unlike scholars who often overlook folk lettering, Johnston appreciates the creativity of amateur sign painters and muralists. The book is divided into 31 concise chapters that delve into different facets of these artworks, highlighting their significance in global cultural heritage. Topics include signs from African beauty parlors, century-old fairground stalls, and the early industrial legacy of Britain, as well as influences in former colonies like Ireland and India, and Haitian buses and fishing boats. Johnston labels this as 'folk art,' emphasizing that many creators lacked formal training but learned by emulating their predecessors, thereby fostering a new legacy. 'Book the Trip' is available from Poltroon Press.