© Frank H. Jump
America’s oldest apothecary.
Orange Outdoor Advertising
Penmanship Stupid – Faux ad – Jerry “Orange” Johnson
Was on Atlantic & Nevins until 2003 © Jerry "Orange" Johnson
Jerry “Orange” Johnson, originally from Cleveland OH, worked as a walldog for Seaboard Outdoor before establishing Orange Outdoor Advertising, Brooklyn’s premiere hand-painted sign company in 1977. Johnson is perhaps better known for his “spoof” advertising murals, often depicting non-existent products with classic nostalgic images accompanied by sublime ironical text. This sign caught the eye of filmmakers for a documentary segment on PBS called CityArts on which the Fading Ad Campaign was also featured. On a personal website featuring roadside ephemera, Agility Nut writes about Johnson’s Penmanship Stupid ad which depicts Zsa Zsa Gabor as a pen manufacturing company representative:
The Penmanship sign was located in Boerum Hill and was painted in 1997. It was a faux billboard created by Jerry Johnson of Orange Outdoor Advertising. Johnson painted satiric, retro-style paintings on this wall annually for about 15 years. Previous signs poked fun at subjects including: oleo margarine, electric companies, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank, plates, the power of cash and Ebbets Field. Sadly, this “ad” was painted over in 2003 (with red paint) and probably marks the end of the series. – Agility Nut What do employers look at first? Penmanship Stupid! Idiots can type, and do. But bosses are hungry for character. They miss the smears, aggressive slants, and pretentious descenders that only handwriting can deliver.
Nervous about remembering the alphabet without a keyboard? No shame in that. And no problem either with… The “A-B-See” from American Ballpoint Corp. Get a good pen, and get a good position. – Jerry “Orange” Johnson
The Weekend's Feature Fade: The Art of Walldog Jerry "Orange" Johnson
Seattle WA
Cincinnati OH
all images © Jerry Johnson
Here are ten images from Jerry “Orange Outdoor” Johnson’s private collection. Before establishing Orange as Brooklyn’s premiere hand-painted sign company in 1977, Johnson worked as a walldog for Seaboard Outdoor. These ads represent some of the work he did while at Seaboard and some of his signature murals like “Cash.”
Here is a response from Sam Roberts @ UK Brick Ads to Jerry Johnson’s work:
Frank Jump over in NYC has just posted a collection of ten outstanding images from the work of experienced signwriter (or “wall dog” in USA) Jerry Johnson. Some of these are genuine pieces of advertising and some, like the one pictured, are spoofs. The craftsmanship, or ‘art’ (?), is exceptional and so is the photography. It must be really satisfying finishing off a piece of work and then stepping back to take the first photo.
Orange Outdoor Advertising – Coney Island Avenue
© Frank H. Jump
This sign was done by Orange Outdoor Advertising Inc. in the mid to late 80’s by owner and walldog Jerry Johnson. Johnson is best known for his remarkable spoof ads he did on Atlantic and Nevins years back. Originally from Cleveland OH, Jerry moved here in 1975 and opened Orange Outdoor in 1977. Orange is still located in Brooklyn, NY. (718) 941-0203.
