Hittin' The High Spots In Montana

FLETCH, BOB [DESIGNED BY]

Publication: Montanans, Incorporated, nd (ca 1935), Helena

22" x 17 1/2" sheet folded to 8 panels, each 11" x 8 3/4." Artwork by Irvin "Shorty" Shope. One cover panel showing 3 cowboys riding horses and touching down atop mountain peaks. 3 panels offer illustrations and information about Montana ... dude ranching, Yellowstone Par, Indians, rag houses, schools, geology, flowers, fishing, trails, Badlands, etc. Opposite 4 panels offers black and white photographs and illustrations depicting life in Montana. Born in Clear Lake, Iowa, in 1885, Bob Fletcher moved to Montana in 1908 and worked as a surveyor for the U.S. Reclamation and U.S. Land Services, and as Helena’s Public Works Director before his employment by the State Highway Commission in 1928. In 1935 he implemented the highway the highway markers program to ‘publicize points of interest along the highways.’ At that time and for the next 6 years the team of Fletcher, department graphic artist “Shorty” Shope, and sign-maker “Ace” Kindrick, wrote, designed, and built over 100 highway markers, many of which still stand today. Along with the markers, Fletcher wrote and Shope designed the State Highways Commission’s promotional material. Light wear to the extremities else fine. A nicely produced item.

Inventory Number: 49322