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DIY newsletters

An image that shows both sides of a two-sided sheet with black and white advertisements for concerts by The Fugs and The Linn County Blues Band at The New Penelope on one side, and a blank sheet with a mailing label, return address and a postage marking in red ink on the other side

Date: September 1968
Credit: unknown
Erik Slutsky collection. Courtesy of Erik Slutsky

This is one of The New Penelope newsletters and envelopes that one could receive in the mail on a regular basis. This one advertises upcoming shows by The Fugs and the Linn County Blues Band in 1968.

These black and white newsletters were prepared using very DIY (or “do-it-yourself”) techniques, mixing hand-drawn portraits of band members and hand-drawn bold and chunky typography, as well as collages of band photos. The result: irregular layouts, crooked lines, a heterogenous look and an overall fun and amateur style.

In the winter and spring of 1968, Gary Eisenkraft prints and mails out a series of these newsletters promoting upcoming concerts. It only costs him a 3 cent stamp to send these by mail to The New Penelope members.

Transcription:

(Left side)

the New Penelope proudly presents for a return engagement…
the Fugs
Sept 9-14
Mon Tue Wed Thurs  $3.00  All Nite
Fri + Sat  $2.50 Per show
Advanced tickets now on sale
Best off Broadway show 1966-1967 / New York Times award

Sept 16-28 from Chicago
the Linn County Blues Band
Mercury Recordings Artists
“Superb”- Mcgill Daily

(Right side)

New Penelope
378 Sherbrooke St. West
Montreal, Que.

E. Slutsky
4150 Badgley St.
MTL. 9, P.Q.