Writing, reviews, interviews, photography.

Posts by A. Frankel

Making Impressions: The Chandler & Price New Style Letterpress

Posted on July 11, 2011

Some of you are probably aware that recently I relocated to Los Angeles to take an internship with an unabashedly secretive film production company and being such the quirky company they are there’s a lot of vintage items, equipment, movie props, etc. Basically, if you’ve got a soul you could get lost in the amazingness of some of the stuff they’ve kept around.

One of the more striking items is the Chandler & Price New Style Letterpress dating from the early 1900’s on which the serials have been partially scrubbed which makes finding an exact year somewhat difficult. The press is entirely functional and is used frequently to print thank you cards, invitations, and stationary. I’ll be learning how to use this thing over the next few weeks so I’m pretty excited to report back on how that ends up. Click below to see the rest of the photographs and an abbreviated history of the letterpress manufacturer.

Categories: History, Photos

Inquiries & Responses vol. 04: Otis James, Tiemaker

Posted on July 7, 2011

This is the fourth in a series of interviews with people who have a keen interest in menswear, style, design, or generally cool stuff. Most of these people are doing something of great note that you should absolutely take a look at.

I remember a little over six months ago stumbling across a tie maker in Nashville by the name of Otis James and was roped in by how awesome his branding is. It doesn’t pander to the ultra-modern, super hip marketing sector and it doesn’t follow suit with the urban-woodsman vibe that everyone’s going for these days. He had his own thing going on and I loved it. The idea of unique fabrics, unique neckwear, and if you custom ordered, having your own name on the back of the tie; I loved everything about it. I only half expected him to respond to an interview request yet here he is, kind enough to chat for a few minutes. Check out the entire interview by clicking below.

Categories: Inquiries & Responses, Interviews, Writeups

Etiquette: A Nostalgic Look

Posted on June 26, 2011

‘Etiquette’ by Emily Post is widely regarded as the original authority on… well, etiquette. The book runs the gambit of things such as how to introduce yourself and others, how to be a courteous motorist, how to host dinners, and how to throw frat parties the right way. We here at The American Classic have obtained a copy of the first printing of the 1942 edition printed during World War II. The anecdote at the beginning specifically states “This book is manufactured under wartime conditions in conformity with all government regulations controlling the use of paper and other materials”. Today we’ll examine a few pointers from the book. Click below to see the full post.

Categories: Essays, History

Inquiries & Responses vol. 03: Jamison Aweau of Anchor Divison

Posted on June 9, 2011

This is the third in a series of interviews with people who have a keen interest in menswear, style, design, or generally cool stuff. Most of these people are doing something of great note that you should absolutely take a look at.

I found Jamison Aweau much like I found Jack Morgan from our first interview in this series, via Tumblr. Jamison has a keen eye for military inspired menswear, which, unless you’ve been living under a rock you’re probably aware is the look these days. The style, ripped straight out of 1950’s America with some even older twists yet slight modern updates is something he keeps alive so well in his blog, Anchor Division. Sometimes cut with prep, sometimes spliced with mod, the style maintained by Mr. Aweau is perfectly retro-American in it’s essence. Be sure to check out his blog by clicking the link above and to read the interview, click below.

Categories: Inquiries & Responses, Interviews

Notes from the Field: 2B Groomed in Philadelphia, PA

Posted on June 7, 2011

I’ve lived in Philadelphia for three solid years and have gone through nearly six barbers within the first two; my hair takes a talented hand to manage and a clipper cut just won’t do the trick. I found a spot right in beautiful Washington Square West called 2B Groomed specializing in men’s hair and keeping things classic. Jazz is constantly playing from the speaker system in the tiny two-chair shop adorned by wood shelves, books about menswear, and tons of old-school grooming products you’d be challenged to find anywhere else. Let’s preface the whole thing by mentioning that they’ve been written up in Playboy and Maxim magazines.

Diego Rivera, mentioned below (the best barber I’ve ever had), has opened his own shop in Center City Philadelphia. Make sure to check him out at The King of Shave at 12th and Pine

Click below to read the writeup.

Categories: Reviews