Cliff Spohn and the Art of Atari

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A lot of folks my age grew up with Atari. Those brightly-colored, but incredibly basic rectangular graphics flashing across our TV sets sustained our vast attention spans and transported us to different dimensions. If it weren't for the brilliant artwork on the game's boxes, though, we may have had no idea what the actual game graphics were supposed to represent. American painter Cliff Spohn created a great amount of artwork for Atari, and, to be honest, I never knew his name until I saw my friend Sam Smith mention his name as the artist for the Computer Chess film poster. Finally - a name and face to go with all of these gorgeous paintings! Have a look at some of my favorites from Cliff's huge portfolio of work.

Some of his non-Atari work:

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Check out much much more of Cliff's beautiful work over at Fine Art America.

Related: Intellivision Packaging

Philately Fridays: Cuba, 1975

Very simple and fresh stamp for International Day of Children in Cuba, 1975.

A Christmas Cookbook

From the same team who brought us Booze and Cocina Mexicana comes another brightly-colored cookbook. This one is obviously all about classic Christmas recipes and includes winter favorites like roast goose, turkey gravy, vichyssoise, and pfeffernüsse. Bruce Butte's groovy illustrations are about as late 1970s as you could ever hope for. So on point. Enjoy!

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Versatile Vinegar

In 1979, The Vinegar Institute, which is evidently a real thing, released this brochure slash cookbook with a super sour illustrated cover.

BRIO catalog, 1985

In December 2009, I posted a BRIO catalog from 1980. I just found another gorgeous catalog of the Swedish wooden toy trains and thought I'd post some of the highlights. Enjoy!

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School Is...

Super groovy illustrations in this tiny book about the ups and downs of school circa 1969. Written and compiled by the students of Room 122 at PS 52, Buffalo NY. Design and illustration by Tim Lewis.

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Philately Fridays: United States, 1975

Touring Canada

Beautiful little guide book to driving through the great land of Canada. My friend found this for me in Honolulu of all places. Thanks Aerin!

There's no artist or year credit. I'm guessing 1974. If anyone has any details on this one, please share!

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Philately Fridays: United States, 1983

Wait, this blog doesn't count as private use, right?

NBC promo, 1965

Philately Fridays: United States, 1983

Designed by the legendary Saul Bass*, this couldn't be any more 1983 if it tried. Reminds me of TRON and Marble Madness... but also Joy Division.

* Thanks to Pileup reader Blair Thomson for the Saul Bass credit ID on this one!

Pocahontas in London

I recently came across a copy of this children's book from 1967, written by Jan Wahl and expertly illustrated by the great John Alcorn.

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Philately Fridays: Stamp Grab Bag!

Here's a selection of stamps that span time and space. Little bit of everything this week.

New Zealand, 1976.
This stamp is from the same series as this one.

Poland, 1979.
Celebrating 30 years of COMECON (Council of mutual economic assistance).

Singapore, 1976.

Singapore, 1981.