pe·cu·liar ☜

Hello! I’m a semi-retired graphic artist based in Seattle. In the 1980s and ’90s, I worked full-time as a freelance designer, but in 2000, a fanatical vinyl obsession led me to open Jive Time Records, my neighborhood record store, now celebrating its 25th year.

Although design has taken a backseat to retail, my love for print hasn’t faded. One of my favorite pastimes is rummaging through second-hand shops for books and paper artifacts from the 1960s and ’70s. I’ve decided to archive and share some of my favorite finds here. I hope they amuse and inspire you as much as they do me.

I have a particular soft spot for the unique style of pop-infused psychedelia created by Hallmark and American Greetings in the late 1960s and early 70s. Behind these mod pieces’ smooth edges and sugary sentiments are some expertly executed (and wonderfully weird) examples of late mid-century design and illustration.

I’ll also be posting items from my growing collections of books and magazines, typography catalogs, paper toys, album covers, gumball machine display cards, studio greeting cards, and other miscellaneous ephemera. Enjoy!

Note: Vintage items featured in the galleries are not available for purchase. I may list duplicates for sale in the future. In the meantime, I’m always interested in buying or trading unusual paper items from the 1960s and ’70s. If you have something you think I might like, feel free to reach out using the contact button below.

Man·i·cule ☜

The manicule, more commonly referred to as a printer’s fist, is a typographic symbol in the shape of a pointing hand (☜), traditionally used to draw attention or indicate something notable. Though it dates back to medieval manuscripts, the manicule saw a resurgence in popularity during the 1960s and ’70s, thanks in part to a revival of Victorian-era wood type and ornamentation. Visit my Museum of Mod Manicules to explore a curated collection of these charming pointing peculiarities.

NEWS & UPDATES ☜

A COSMIC SHOUT-OUT: Design legend Steven Heller gave The Peculiar Manicule a spotlight in his popular column The Daily Heller — complete with a full interview! Have a read.

THANK YOU: A quick note of thanks to the many viewers of this site who have sent messages of appreciation and generously donated items to the collection.

I originally created The Peculiar Manicule simply as a personal archive and a way to interact with my collection. Over time, though, it has taken on a life of its own. I’ve heard from designers around the world who have found inspiration in something I’ve shared, and from the families of the (often uncredited) artists behind these works. They’ve expressed how meaningful it is to see these pieces remembered and celebrated. This has become a key purpose of this project: to shine a light on these unsung heroes, alongside some of the better-known masters, and ensure their work continues to be seen.

If you happen to have items that might belong in this archive, I always welcome the opportunity to preserve and share them with a wider audience. Your contributions help keep this collection alive and growing.