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
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(Next post on Monday: Interrobang, Part 4, Joe Carter)
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