St. Nicholas, November 1911
George O. Butler, artist and writer
(Next post on Monday: Interrobang, Part 5, Clarence Noel Johnson)
Friday, October 31, 2025
Monday, October 27, 2025
Interrobang, Part 4: Joe Carter, Lettering Artist and Calligrapher
Joseph “Joe” Carter Jr. was born on March 14, 1902 in Maryport, England according to his World War II draft card. On September 8, 1906, four-year-old Carter and his parents, Joseph, a carpenter, and Isabella, were aboard the ship Caledonia when it departed Scotland. They arrived at the Port of New York on September 16.
Carter’s father began the naturalization process on November 30, 1908. He filed his Declaration of Intention in Chicago, Illinois, where his address was 1642 Berenice Avenue. He was naturalized on December 27, 1912.
The 1910 United States Census counted eight-year-old Carter and his parents in Chicago at 4855 Berenice Avenue.
According to the 1920 census, Carter was a commercial artist employed at a directory business. The 1936 publication, 27 Chicago Designers, had a photograph of Carter who was a
Carter was member of the Society of Typographic Arts (STA). His name appeared in an STA announcement reproduced in The Inland Printer, April 1931. Carter was involved in the 1937 A.I.G.A. annual exhibit, Commercial Printing of the Year. He became an STA Fellow in 1939.
The 1940 census said Carter, 38, was a self-employed commercial artist who had one year of college education. The Chicago Design Archive said Carter, for a time, was with Lettering Incorporated which began in 1939.
On February 16, 1942, Carter signed his draft card. He had the same home address. His office address was 75 East Wacker Drive which was the Mather Tower. Carter’s description was five feet eight inches, 165 pounds, blue eyes and blonde hair.
The 1910 United States Census counted eight-year-old Carter and his parents in Chicago at 4855 Berenice Avenue.
According to the 1920 census, Carter was a commercial artist employed at a directory business. The 1936 publication, 27 Chicago Designers, had a photograph of Carter who was a
graduate of the School for Apprentices and worked in the Art Department of R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company—also under the direction of William A. Kittredge in the Design Department of that concern. He is now associated with Paul Ressinger, having joined him in 1924.In the 1930 census, Carter had the same occupation and worked in a design studio. He lived with his parents.
Carter was member of the Society of Typographic Arts (STA). His name appeared in an STA announcement reproduced in The Inland Printer, April 1931. Carter was involved in the 1937 A.I.G.A. annual exhibit, Commercial Printing of the Year. He became an STA Fellow in 1939.
The 1940 census said Carter, 38, was a self-employed commercial artist who had one year of college education. The Chicago Design Archive said Carter, for a time, was with Lettering Incorporated which began in 1939.
On February 16, 1942, Carter signed his draft card. He had the same home address. His office address was 75 East Wacker Drive which was the Mather Tower. Carter’s description was five feet eight inches, 165 pounds, blue eyes and blonde hair.
The Inland Printer, November 1944, reproduced one of Carter’s STA citations. Carter was mentioned in Print magazines here, here and here.
Carter’s father died on August 20, 1945, and mother April 8, 1947.
In 1950 Carter lived alone at the same address. He had his own business and worked in advertising.
Martin K. Speckter wrote about the creating the interrobang in Type Talks, March-April 1962. The article included three interpretations by Martin K. Speckter Associates, Inc. art director, Jack Lipton. Carter’s interrobang design was included in the next issue. His design also appeared in a 1967 issue of Art Direction.
Carter was mentioned in the following books.
Calligraphy & Handwriting in America 1710–1962 (1963)
Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science: Volume 4, Calligraphy to Church Libraries (1970)
With Respect to RFD (1978)
Calligraphy, a Sourcebook (1982)
Carter passed away on November 12, 1979 in Chicago.
Calligraphy & Handwriting in America 1710–1962 (1963)
Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science: Volume 4, Calligraphy to Church Libraries (1970)
With Respect to RFD (1978)
Calligraphy, a Sourcebook (1982)
Carter passed away on November 12, 1979 in Chicago.
Further Reading
Related Posts
(Next post on Friday: Happy Halloween)
Monday, October 20, 2025
Interrobang, Part 3: Larry Ottino, Lettering Artist, Designer and Art Director
Anthony Lawrence Ottino’s parents were Egidio “John” Ottino and Mary Borghi who married in 1908 in New Jersey. In the 1920 United States Census, the couple and four children lived in West Hoboken, New Jersey at 354 Spring Street. Ottino’s father was a machinist at a shipyard.
Four months after the census enumeration, Ottino was born on April 4, 1920 in West Hoboken according to the New Jersey Birth Index at Ancestry.com. (On June 1, 1925, the Township of West Hoboken and the Town of Union combined to become Union City. Some of Ottino’s documents had Union City as his birthplace.)
According to the 1930 census, Ottino was the youngest of five siblings. The household included their parents and paternal grandparents. They resided in Union City at 318 40th Street. Ottino’s father was an insurance salesman.
In the 1940 census Ottino lived with his parents in Union City at 122 41st Street. Ottino was a messenger at a label company.
On July 1, 1941, Ottino signed his World War II draft card that had Union City as his birthplace. He was employed at the textile manufacturer, F. G. Montabert Co. One of its products was silk woven labels. Ottino’s description was five feet six inches, 135 pounds, with brown eyes and hair.
Four months after the census enumeration, Ottino was born on April 4, 1920 in West Hoboken according to the New Jersey Birth Index at Ancestry.com. (On June 1, 1925, the Township of West Hoboken and the Town of Union combined to become Union City. Some of Ottino’s documents had Union City as his birthplace.)
According to the 1930 census, Ottino was the youngest of five siblings. The household included their parents and paternal grandparents. They resided in Union City at 318 40th Street. Ottino’s father was an insurance salesman.
In the 1940 census Ottino lived with his parents in Union City at 122 41st Street. Ottino was a messenger at a label company.
On July 1, 1941, Ottino signed his World War II draft card that had Union City as his birthplace. He was employed at the textile manufacturer, F. G. Montabert Co. One of its products was silk woven labels. Ottino’s description was five feet six inches, 135 pounds, with brown eyes and hair.
Six weeks later, Ottino and Violet Mabel Carlomagno married on August 15, 1941 in Manhattan. The certificate said Ottino was a designer. It’s not known where Ottino received his art training.
Commercial artist Ottino enlisted in the Army on March 6, 1942 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. His veteran’s file said he was discharged on November 1, 1945. Information about his service has not been found.
The 1950 census said Ottino, a freelance commercial artist, and Violet had a daughter and son. Also living with them were Ottino’s in-laws. They were residents of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey at 3921 Teaneck Road.
At some point Ottino was associated with the art studio, Roy Germanotta Inc. It advertised in the trade publication Art Director & Studio News (renamed Art Direction in 1956). The earliest advertisement, and possibly the first, appeared in the August 1953 issue.
Ottino was credited in advertisements published in the following issues: January 1954; May 1954; January 1955, below; July 1955; January 1956; and June 1956.
Art Direction, October 1956, reported Roy Germanotta, Inc. was renamed Fenga & Donderi, Inc. Art Direction, April 1957, said
Larry Ottino has resigned as associate to Sam Marsh and has rejoined Fenga & Donderi Inc. as vice president. A top lettering designer, he will supervise all F & D lettering in addition to his own work and will be available for consultation on all aspects of the studio’s business.Headliners International advertised its Palisade type family, designed by Ottino, in Art Direction, March 1961.
The back cover of Ottino’s 1973 book, The Art of Lettering with Pen & Brush*, said
Mr. Ottino has designed 58 original alphabets for photo-lettering process which are sold internationally. He has also designed exclusive alphabets for Fisher-Price Toys, Eastern Airlines, Volvo Automobiles, Tudor Games, Lever Brothers, American Airlines and American Motors. ...
Ottino’s new job was reported in Art Direction, December 1961.
Larry Ottino to Ad Agencies & HeadlinersMartin K. Speckter wrote about creatiing the interrobang in Type Talks, March-April 1962. The article included three interpretations by Martin K. Speckter Associates, Inc. art director, Jack Lipton. Ottino’s interrobangs appeared in the next issue. His designs also appeared in a 1967 issue of Art Direction.
Former vp in charge of lettering and design at Feng & Donderi art studio for the past 8 years, Larry Ottino has been appointed executive director of graphics for Advertising Agencies’ Service Co. and its affiliate The Headliners of New York.
The New York Art Directors Club’s Distinctive Merit Award was given to Ottino, John Alcorn and Ad Agencies’/Headliners in the 44th Annual of Advertising & Editorial Art & Design (1965).
The New York Times, August 9, 1966, noted Ottino’s appointment as a vice president of Geer, DuBois & Co., Inc.
Ottino (pictured below) was editor of the 1967 book, 46th Annual of Advertising & Editorial Art & Design, which was produced by the New York Art Directors Club.
Ottino (pictured below) was editor of the 1967 book, 46th Annual of Advertising & Editorial Art & Design, which was produced by the New York Art Directors Club.
By 1968, Ottino had partnered with Martin Solomon to form Ottino/Solomon Co. (also known as Larry Ottino/Martin Solomon Co.) Ottino was its president. Their company published Photoprocess Lettering & Photo-Typography Styles in 1969.
The Art of Lettering with Pen & Brush (1973) said “Ottino has taught in the Advertising Design Department of the School of Visual Arts in New York City for the past 6 years.” He also taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Below are two pages from The Art of Lettering with Pen & Brush.
The Dartnell Direct Mail and Mail Order Handbook (1980) included three paragraphs about Ottino’s one-of-a-kind promotion pieces.
Ottino’s handwriting lettering, for the IBM PC Family advertisement, was described in the March 1985 issue of Art Direction.
Ottino’s handwriting lettering, for the IBM PC Family advertisement, was described in the March 1985 issue of Art Direction.
The New Yorker, November 5, 1984
U&lc, August 1987, wrote about Ottino’s alphabet contest for the offspring of people in the advertising community.
Ottino passed away on December 2, 2007. The Hackensack Record, December 5, 2007, said
* The Art of Lettering with Pen & Brush was was translated into four languages and copyrighted by Grumbacher.
Ottino, Anthony, age 87, on Dec. 2, 2007 of Ridgefield Park. Funeral service at Vorhees Funeral Home 59 Main St. Ridgefield Park Wed. 11 AM. vorheesfuneralhome.net
* The Art of Lettering with Pen & Brush was was translated into four languages and copyrighted by Grumbacher.
Further Reading
You Call that a Punctuation Mark?! The Interrobang Celebrates its 50th Birthday
Related Posts
You Call that a Punctuation Mark?! The Interrobang Celebrates its 50th Birthday
Related Posts
(Next post on Monday: Interrobang, Part 4, Joe Carter)
Monday, October 13, 2025
Interrobang, Part 2: Jack Lipton, Designer and Art Director
On June 15, 1913, twenty-one-year-old Mark Lipton returned from a visit to New York City. He was aboard the ship Caronia when it docked in Liverpool, England. His was a composer in the printing industry. Seven weeks later, Mark was sailing on the same ship when it arrived in New York on August 10, 1913. The manifest said compositor was his occupation.
Mark and Sadie Grasshandler married on October 14, 1914 in Brooklyn. He was born in Manchester, England and resided at 23 Jefferson Street, Brooklyn. His wife’s first name was misspelled Badie on the front of the certificate. On the back her signature was Sadie.
Mark and Sadie Grasshandler married on October 14, 1914 in Brooklyn. He was born in Manchester, England and resided at 23 Jefferson Street, Brooklyn. His wife’s first name was misspelled Badie on the front of the certificate. On the back her signature was Sadie.
The 1915 New York state census counted the couple in Manhattan at 402–406 East 78th Street. Sadie was Hungarian. Almost eleven weeks later, their son, Harvey, was born on August 20, 1915.
Mark signed his World War I draft card on June 5, 1917. His Bronx address was 636 Wales Avenue. Mark commuted to White Plains where his employer, book publisher H. W. Wilson Company, was headquartered.
Mark and Sadie have not yet been found in the 1920 census which was enumerated starting January 1. Later that month, Jack was born on January 22 in Manhattan according to the New York, New York Birth Index at Ancestry.com.
In the 1925 New York state census, the Liptons were Manhattan residents at 1280 Third Avenue. The 1930 census said the family was in the Bronx on the 2100 block of Bronx Park East. Jack’s father was a proofreader in the advertising industry.
In 1940 Jack lived with his parents in the Bronx at 2125 Holland Avenue. He was a sales clerk at a retail fruit stand. The census said he completed his fourth year of high school and earned $500 in 1939.
Jack signed his draft card on July 1, 1941. He had the same address which was updated later. Jack also had a mailing address, 423 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC, where he was a senior laborer at the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Engraving. Jack’s description was five feet four inches, 145 pounds, blue eyes and brown hair.
Jack’s veteran’s file said he enlisted on January 6, 1942 and discharged on December 23, 1945. Where he served is not known.
At some point, Jack married Dorothy. The 1950 census counted them and their three-year-old son, Richard, in Miami, Florida at 752 Euclid Avenue. Jack worked at an advertising agency. His parents also lived in Miami at 338 NW 39th Street.
The Directory of Advertising Agency Personnel 1951 listed Jack as art director at Blackstone Advertising, Inc. in New York. He held the same title in the Television Age Yearbooks for 1956, 1957, and 1958.
By the early 1960s, Jack was art director at Martin K. Speckter Associates. Inc. which was founded in June 1956. Speckter, editor of Type Talks, wrote about creating the interrobang in the March–April 1962 issue. Jack designed three versions.
Image from Shady Characters
The interrobang was included in American Type Founders Co.’s 1967 typeface, Americana, which was drawn by Richard Isbell. In 1968, an interrobang was rendered by Kenneth Wright for the Remington Rand Model 25 electric typewriter.
Later on, Jack was art director at Duncan-Brooks Inc., a Garden City, Long Island, New York advertising agency. He was listed in the 1968 Standard Directory of Advertising Agencies. The agency’s president, Donald W. Dragon, was in charge of a 1970 architectural contest. He turned to Jack to design the award.
Later on, Jack was art director at Duncan-Brooks Inc., a Garden City, Long Island, New York advertising agency. He was listed in the 1968 Standard Directory of Advertising Agencies. The agency’s president, Donald W. Dragon, was in charge of a 1970 architectural contest. He turned to Jack to design the award.
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Jack passed away on January 2, 1988 and laid to rest at Mount Hebron Cemetery.
Further Reading
You Call that a Punctuation Mark?! The Interrobang Celebrates its 50th Birthday
Luc Devroye, Richard Isbell
Monday, October 6, 2025
Interrobang, Part 1: Martin K. Speckter, Art Director
Martin K. Speckter was born Mordko Szprecher. At age six, he accompanied his parents, Moisze and Chaja, younger sister, Ejdla, and aunt, Frima, when they immigrated to the United States. At the time they were natives of the Republic of Poland. On June 30, 1921, the family was aboard the ship, Lapland, when it departed Antwerp, Belgium. The ship arrived at the Port of New York on July 10, 1921. The Szprechers’ final destination was Omaha, Nebraska.
Lines 17 to 21
The Szprechers adapted to their home with new names. Szprecher became Speckter; Moisze changed to Morris; Chaja to Ida; Mordko to Martin; and Ejdla to Adeline. The new names were recorded in the 1930 United States Census. Their home in Omaha was 2533 North 16th Street. Speckter’s father was a grocer. Who’s Who in the East (1971) said Speckter was naturalized in 1927.
Speckter graduated from Omaha Technical High School. He was a member of the Senate Debating Club. Speckter (below, first row, far right) was a winner in the annual Inter-Club debates.
Speckter continued his education at Municipal University. The World-Herald, October 9, 1934, said Speckter was elected president of the German club. Who’s Who said he was a student at Omaha University from 1933 to 1935. Speckter was a writer at the World-Herald, 1933 to 1935, and managing editor of McCook Daily Gazette, 1936 to 1939.
According to the 1940 census, Speckter lived with his parents at the same address. He had completed two years of college. Speckter’s occupation was advertising. He earned $650 in 1939.
On October 16, 1940, Speckter signed his World War II draft card which had his full name, Martin Kiehra Speckter. (Who’s Who had the middle name Khiva.) His birth date, May 14, 1915, differed from Who’s Who and his Social Security application birth date, June 14, 1915. Speckter worked at the Omaha Fixture and Supply Company. His description was five feet five inches, 132 pounds, brown eyes and hair.
The World-Herald, July 28, 1943, said
Sgt. Martin Speckter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Speckter, 2533 1/2 North Sixteenth street, received an honorable discharge from the army last week following several weeks of hospitalization resulting from an ailment which seriously affected his sight.Who’s Who said Speckter was at the Office of War Information in 1944. The World-Herald, July 27, 1967, said
He was assigned to the army’s recruiting office at Richmond, Va., for more than a year following his preliminary training. Before entering the army, Speckter was employed as a newspaper reporter for The World-Herald and the McCook Gazette.
Speckter is expected here Thursday or Friday.
Endless are the tales they tell about Martin Speckter, …The World-Herald, December 3, 1944, noted Speckter’s upcoming marriage.
One of the Speckter stories is told by Omaha ad man Jack Dow.
It happened in early 1944 when Jack, then an Army infantry man, had a chance to spend several hours in New York before going overseas. He looked up old colleague Martin Speckter, who was working in New York for the Office of War Information.
This was Jack’s first trip to New York. He had in mind seeing Times Square, the lights of Broad way and that kind of thing.
“Fine,” said Martin, “we’ll do everything you want to do. But first, you’ve got to try the borscht.”
“Thanks,” said Jack, “but to me, borscht is beet soup. I don’t like beet soup.”
“Please,” said Martin, “it’s borscht! Everybody likes borscht. They’ve got some fine Jewish restaurants here that serve wonderful borscht. You anti-Semitic, or something?”
Announcement is made by Henry Bank of the approaching marriage of his daughter, Miss Virginia Bank, to Martin K. Speckter, son of Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Speckter, on December 14. Miss Bank is associated with the Douglas County Chapter of the American Red Cross.According to Who’s Who, Speckter was vice president and creative director at the advertising agency, Bozell & Jacobs, from 1944 to 1955. The World-Herald, November 1, 1946, reported his move to Miami.
Bozell & Jacobs, Omaha Advertising agency, has opened a branch office in Miami, Fla., it was announced Thursday.The 1946 Omaha city directory listed Speckter, an account executive, and his wife at 607 North 34th Street. They have not yet been found in the 1950 census.
Martin K. Speckter, former World-Herald staff member, will be manager of the office. He will be assisted by Edward N. Green, another Omahan. Both men were in Army public relations during the war.
Mr. Speckter will go to his new assignment from the agency’s Los Angeles office.
The Television Age 1956 Yearbook listed Bozell & Jacobs’ New York office where Speckter was the vice president in charge of creative services. Speckter’s resignation was reported in Advertising Age, June 18, 1956.
Martin K. Speckter has resigned as vp in charge of creative services of Bozell & Jacobs to open his own agency, Martin K. Speckter & Associates. Among his new accounts is the Wall Street Journal. Mr. Speckter originally joined Bozell & Jacobs in 1935.Martin K. Speckter Associates was located in downtown Manhattan at 32 Broadway. In 1969 Martin K. Speckter Associates merged with Clinton E. Frank Advertising.
Beginning in 1959, Speckter was editor of Type Talks. He wrote about creating the interrobang in the March–April 1962 issue. It was visualized by his agency’s art director, Jack Lipton (below).
Image from Shady Characters
The May–June 1962 Type Talks featured interrobang designs by Larry Ottino, Joe Carter and Frank Davies.
Speckter’s interrobang was reported in the World-Herald, May 27, 1962.
In 1967 American Type Founders’s type family, Americana, included an “interabang”. The alphabet was drawn by Richard Isbell.
Art Direction, July 1967
Shortly after Americana’s release, the World-Herald, June 23, 1967, profiled Speckter.
A 1967 issue of Art Direction included interrobang designs by Larry Ottino, Joe Carter, Frank Davies, Raymond Landino and Clarence Noel Johnson.
Remington Rand’s 1968 Model 25 electric typewriter included an interrobang. Graphic designer Kenneth Wright, an employee, designed it.
The interrobang was reviewed in Life, November 15, 1968. A headline with an interabang was published in Time, May 31, 1971. The designer is not known.
Speckter retired in 1974. He filed a claim for Social Security benefits on July 10, 1974. Speckter passed away on February 14, 1988 and laid to rest at New Montefiore Cemetery. An obituary appeared in The New York Times, February 16, 1988.
Speckter’s wife, Myrtle Virginia “Penny” Speckter passed away on December 13, 2020. A photograph of Penny appeared in Editor & Publisher, March 3, 1962.
Further Reading
You Call that a Punctuation Mark?! The Interrobang Celebrates its 50th Birthday
Posts for October and November
Interrobang, Part 2: Jack Lipton, Designer and Art Director
Interrobang, Part 3: Larry Ottino, Lettering Artist, Designer and Art Director
Interrobang, Part 4: Joe Carter, Lettering Artist and Calligrapher
Interrobang, Part 5: Clarence Noel Johnson, Art Director
Interrobang, Part 6: Kenneth Wright, Graphic Designer
Interrobang, Part 3: Larry Ottino, Lettering Artist, Designer and Art Director
Interrobang, Part 4: Joe Carter, Lettering Artist and Calligrapher
Interrobang, Part 5: Clarence Noel Johnson, Art Director
Interrobang, Part 6: Kenneth Wright, Graphic Designer
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