FRED A. MAYER, silhouette artist

Little can be found online about Fred A. Mayer. The only biographical information I found is that he was born in 1904. There are a few books available that he illustrated. Other than that, he's almost unknown.

This article, from the 1940 Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus Magazine and Daily Reviewprovides a little bit about the artist.




Click on either image to see it larger.
(SOURCE: Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus Magazine and Daily Review, 1940)

The art of the silhouette does not have the power it once had, but it's still used today in ways you probably don't even notice. You know that deer crossing sign you see? Silhouette art. Men or women signs for bathrooms...silhouette art. To read a little about the history of silhouette art click here.

This is a CLOWN ON A SUGAR RUSH

The look on this clown's face only confirms what I found to be true during elementary school. If you pulled a box of Ludens out of your book bag every kid around you would get the same expression this clown has as their hands came out demanding you share. Ludens and Smith Brother cherry cough drops were all about the sugar. You had to sneak them on the sly if you hoped to have any for yourself.

As far as the al-ka-line...let's just say the author of the little poem should pursue writing less creative. Imagine what was rejected if this is what was chosen.


(SOURCE: Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus Magazine and Daily Review, 1940)

Creepy clown or not creepy clown? You decide.

KURLASH for the clown in you

I think this company might have been stretching it a bit when they said that curling your eyelashes was "more fun than a circus." Really?

I had a friend in high school who used an eyelash curler that had lost the little rubber part that's on part of the crimping mechanism. Did she have more fun than a circus? No. She cut her eyelashes off her one eye. Up until that time I'd toyed with the idea of trying one of these thingies. After I saw what she looked like I avoided the fiendish thingies. I have no idea what brand she used so I'm not trying to disparage Kurlash. I have no idea if the company is still even in business.


(SOURCE: Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus Magazine and Daily Review, 1940)

So, creepy clown or uncreepy clown? How about if it were painted on black velevet? Would that be creepier or less creepy? For me he just doesn't add much to an ad for a "beauty" product.

CLOWNS...not creepy or creepy?

I’d like to think that clowns don’t frighten me. As a child I don’t think they did. I liked clowns and never thought of them as being creepy men in makeup hiding their true identity. They were just clowns. I guess it was John Wayne Gacey who made me start looking at them with a skeptical eye. I sort of hate that clowns are forever tarnished in my imagination. I still adore Clarabell and Emmett Kelly and nobody will convince me otherwise. That said…

Over the next several posts you’ll meet clowns, some real, some just drawings, from the 1940 Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus Magazine and Daily Review. I’ll let you be the judge on the creepiness quotient.


Click on image to see it larger.
(SOURCE: Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus Magazine and Daily Review, 1940) 

To see another vintage Camel cigarette post with a very interesting outcome click here. It's one of the most interesting posts I've ever done.

A FIGHTER PILOT and Coca-Cola in 1940

This vintage Coca-Cola magazine ad is from a 1940 Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus Magazine and Daily Review. I find it fascinating that it uses a military theme before the war.


Click on image to see it larger. 
(SOURCE: Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus Magazine and Daily Review, 1940) 

To see other vintage Coca-Cola ads click on "Coca-Cola ads" or "Coca-Cola" below in the labels.