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Mel Bay’s Chords in Photo Diagram Form series (c. 1970–1973)

Contributed by Florian Hardwig on Apr 23rd, 2023. Artwork published in
circa 1970
.
Mel Bay’s Guitar Chords In Picture and Diagram Form, first published in 1959
Source: www.ebay.com ivyagogo (edited). License: All Rights Reserved.

Mel Bay’s Guitar Chords In Picture and Diagram Form, first published in 1959

In the early 1970s, Mel Bay’s series of booklets with Chords In Photo Diagram Form was redesigned. While the front covers previously featured Orplid and various bold condensed sans serifs, they now used Jolly Roger Raised for the title, with Honey for Mel Bay’s name and Endowed Jones for the subtitle. The booklets are undated, or state the date of the original publication. Jolly Roger and Endowed Jones both originated at Alphabet Innovations in 1970 – the booklets in this design thus can’t be any older than that.

The back covers are largely identical to those of previous editions, and feature a range of period faces including Brush Script, Lydian, Cloister, Franklin Gothic, and Flash, with Futura for the address.

See the post about the 1960s editions for more information about Mel Bay Publications.

Mel Bay’s Tenor Banjo Chords In Picture and Diagram Form, first published in 1961
Source: www.ebay.com the_train_celler (edited). License: All Rights Reserved.

Mel Bay’s Tenor Banjo Chords In Picture and Diagram Form, first published in 1961

Mel Bay’s Chords in Photo Diagram Form series (c. 1970–1973) 3
Source: www.ebay.com the_train_celler (edited). License: All Rights Reserved.

Mel Bay’s Mandolin Chords In Picture and Diagram Form, first published in 1963
Source: www.ebay.com out_of_the_dark_finds (edited). License: All Rights Reserved.

Mel Bay’s Mandolin Chords In Picture and Diagram Form, first published in 1963

5 String or Plectrum Banjo Chords, first published in 1961
Source: www.abebooks.com CorgiPack. License: All Rights Reserved.

5 String or Plectrum Banjo Chords, first published in 1961

Mel Bay’s Ukulele Chords, first published in 1961
Source: www.abebooks.com Champ & Mabel Collectibles. License: All Rights Reserved.

Mel Bay’s Ukulele Chords, first published in 1961

5 String or Plectrum Banjo Chords, first published in 1961; this printing from 1973
Source: www.ebay.com travelingoldbag1 (edited). License: All Rights Reserved.

5 String or Plectrum Banjo Chords, first published in 1961; this printing from 1973

Mel Bay’s Chords in Photo Diagram Form series (c. 1970–1973) 6
Source: www.ebay.com travelingoldbag1 (edited). License: All Rights Reserved.

Typefaces

  • Jolly Roger
  • Endowed Jones
  • Filmotype Honey
  • Flash
  • Brush Script
  • Lydian
  • Franklin Gothic
  • Cloister
  • Futura

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