Master Penman, Designer,
Engrosser & Illustrator
1919
Photograph of W. J. Costello Sign Painting Shop
517 Lackawanna Ave, Scranton. Today the building houses the Scranton Hobby Center. The building to the left, 515 Lackawanna Ave, is now the Coney Island Restaurant. Both buildings are still standing. The photo was taken on Nov 7, 1919 by Watson B. Bunnell, a prominent Scranton commercial photographer. In 1919, his studio was located at 116 Adams Ave. in the Clark & Snover Bldg., near the Hotel Casey. The original photo measures 15 x 20 inches. The complete photograph, with more details about the 500 block of Lackawanna Ave in 1919, is available HERE. For more pictures and information on the Costello family, see Find A Grave http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=40347200 |
Left: William J. Costello
in the 1960's. Right: Cover of The Argus, July 1915 by William J. Costello Bill Costello lettered and illustrated this cover of The Argus, a magazine published in July 1915 by The Young Mens’ Hebrew Association, Scranton, PA. He was 21 years old. His use of Engrosser’s Text lettering and acanthus design along the borders shows the influence of his father. Bill designed two more covers of The Argus in 1916 and 1917. See Find A Grave for more information: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=115221819 |
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Left: Illustration of
Native American on Horseback, May 22, 1910 by William J. Costello Bill Costello did this illustration of a Native American for a six-part series, For Our Artists to Color, published by The Scranton Tribune Republican on May 22, 1910. He was 16 years old. Right: Photograph of Costello Signs, 316 Spruce St, Scranton, ca. late 1940s Photograph of Costello Signs, second floor, 316 Spuce St. in Scranton, taken in the late 1940s. Bill Costello worked there from 1925 to 1966, when he retired. Photo Courtesy of the Lackawanna Historical Society. |
Click the image to see more of the street view. |
Left: Jerry Costello
(1897-1971) See Find A Grave for more information: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=116476841 Right: Portrait of Edward F. Blewitt by Jerry Costello, 1918 The subject of Jerry Costello’s portrait is Edward F. Blewitt (1859-1926), former Scranton City Engineer and PA State Senator. Jerry’s father, P.W. Costello, worked under Blewitt as a City Clerk in the 1890s. Blewitt is Vice President Joe Biden’s great-grandfather. The drawing was published in The Scranton Republican, September 13, 1918. |
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Left: Portrait of Mark
Twain by Jerry Costello, 1915 Jerry Costello was 17 years old and a student at Central High School in Scranton when he drew this portrait of Mark Twain. At an early age, several years before he began a professional career in editorial cartooning, Jerry was demonstrating superior skills as an illustrator. This drawing was published in The American Penman in 1915. Right: Cartoon: Uncle Sam’s Christmas Gift to the World by Jerry Costello (Dec 25, 1918) The Armistice that ended WWI was signed by the Allies and Germany on November 11, 1918. Six weeks later, on Christmas Day, The Scranton Republican published this cartoon by Jerry Costello, entitled, Uncle Sam’s Christmas Gift to the World. It shows Uncle Sam, in tattered coat and hat, stuffing a rolled document labeled, “Peace on Earth,” into a stocking hanging on the fireplace. In addition to drawing portraits for the newspaper, Jerry also created weekly political cartoons and caricatures of groups attending various social gatherings. |
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Left: Portrait of Michael
E. Comerford by Jerry Costello, 1918 During the year that Jerry Costello worked at The Scranton Republican, he drew over fifty portraits of prominent men in Scranton, including Michael E. Comerford (1865-1939), who founded Comerford Theatres, Inc., the first movie chain in Pennsylvania. Residents of Scranton frequented his Wyoming Ave theater, one of seventy-eight throughout Eastern PA, NY and MD. The Comerford portrait was published in The Scranton Republican on December 27, 1918. Jerry’s cross-hatched style shows the influence of his father, who was known for his illustrations of famous literary, political, theatrical and athletic figures. Right: Portrait of Col. Frederick L. Hitchcock by Jerry Costello, 1918 Col. Frederick L. Hitchcock (1837-1924) was a former Civil War Officer (Union Army), Scranton businessman, and author of the definitive 2-volume work, The History of Scranton and Its People (1914). Hitchcock was the subject of one of P.W. Costello’s early engrossings, in 1888, commemorating his years as commander of the Thirteenth Regiment of the PA National Guard. Jerry’s portrait was published in The Scranton Republican on August 5, 1918. |
Left: St. Thomas College
Commencement Program, designed by Joseph W. Costello (1925) As a student at St. Thomas College, Joseph W. Costello designed and lettered the cover of the school yearbook, The Aquinas, and the cover of the commencement program. His designs continued to be used following his graduation in 1924. Together with his father, he also lettered many school diplomas. This 1925 Commencement Program cover shows the quality of his work, lettered in gold against a purple background, the school’s colors. He used a medieval style letter for the capitals, C and S, followed by Old English for the smaller letters. Right: Joseph W. Costello (1901-1957) See Find A Grave for more information: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=115316313 |
Patrick J. Casey (1867-1934), together with his older brother, Andrew J., founded the Casey Hotel in Scranton. Patrick was the hotel president and director. Following his death in November 1934, Joseph W. Costello was commissioned by the Casey Family to engross these memorial resolutions. The text describes Mr. Casey as a leader with clearness of vision, faultless judgment and splendid business acumen; a man of high ethical standards who personified the Golden Rule; a businessman whose confidence and courage, sympathetic and kindly nature inspired allegiance in his employees. He was committed to serving his hotel guests and patrons fairly. The document is signed by five members of the Casey Family: Joseph G. Casey, Mary Pauline Casey, Eugene D. Casey, Cyril A. Casey and Jerome P. Casey. Joe Costello and Cyril Casey were close friends, going back to their years at St. Thomas College. Cyril helped manage the Casey Parking Garage for many years. Mr. Costello’s lettering, use of burnished gold and colorful acanthus borders, reflect the illuminative style of the monastic manuscripts from the Middle Ages. He used medieval lettering in the large heading and Engrosser’s Text in the smaller lettering. |
Text of Patrick J. Casey
Engrossing by Joseph W. Costello (1935) Whereas, In the chronicle of the history of Hotel Casey Company must be permanently recorded the dominant and talented personality of Patrick J. Casey A founder of Hotel Casey with his lamented and beloved brother Andrew J. Casey – the President and Director of this organization since its inception in 1913. To his notable leadership of this and allied enterprises, clearness of vision, faultless judgment and splendid business acumen, we gladly pay deserving and lasting tribute. Today’s clamor for high ethical standards in business claimed him as a champion who personified in his family as well as public life the lesson of the Golden Rule. Dauntless of purpose in the achievement of a worthwhile objective, though refreshingly modest, his inborn confidence and courage inspired the constant allegiance of associates and subordinates, the unstinted admiration and respect of contemporaries whether of high or low station. A true sportsman, he believed in playing the game of business according to the rules, always competing fairly but with keeness, vigor and resourcefulness. A constant student of human character and of a sympathetic and kindly nature, he was always a ready listener and generous helper to those less fortunate in the worldly sense, or seeking the counsel of a friend and businessman of wide experience, possessing the rare faculty to advise them for the best. Though his fortitude was tried in the early days of this undertaking and sorely so in the present disheartening depression years, his wholesome buoyant spirit admonished us in carrying on ever to serve our guests and patrons fairly and with consideration to keep abreast of the times and trends in the hotel profession and to jealously protect our credit. May his career be an inspiring lesson and a lasting example to his bereaved family and surviving associates in this Company, that the most worthy remembrance of his life and our association may be realized and fulfilled in the further accomplishment of his dearly cherished ambitions; to this end, Be it Resolved: the surviving Directors, Associates of Patrick J. Casey in this Company, record their profound sorrow and sense of great loss at his untimely passing from this earthly scene, at an age still promising of many more years of helpful guidance and fruitful endeavor, and, Be it Further Resolved: that the original of these sentiments be spread upon the minutes of our meeting and a copy suitably engrossed be forwarded to his bereaved family. We of the Hotel Casey Family who knew him best shall miss him most; Committee: Joseph G. Casey, Mary Pauline Casey, Eugene D. Casey, Cyril A. Casey. Jerome P. Casey. Anno Domini February 2, 1935 JOSEPH W. COSTELLO, SCRANTON, PA |
Isaac E. Oppenheim (1881-1954), the founder and president of the Scranton Dry Goods department store, served for eighteen years on the Board of Directors of the Young Men’s Hebrew Association in Scranton. Following his resignation in July 1946, the Board of the Y.M.H.A. commissioned Joseph W. Costello to engross these resolutions honoring Mr. Oppenheim for his “magnificent and remarkable record of service” to the Association and for his forty years of work as “a leader In the business, civic, communal and philanthropic enterprises” of the City of Scranton. Mr. Costello’s engrossed document is beautifully lettered in Engrosser’s Text and illuminated with a colorful left border of acanthus brushed in blue, green and red watercolor. He used a bright, blue watercolor wash to highlight the large initial letter “I,” letter “O” in Oppenheim, and to underscore the name banner. All large, black lettering is drop-shaded in grey or blue, giving it accent and dimension. |
Text of Isaac E. Oppenheim
Engrossed Resolutions by Joseph W. Costello (1946) At a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Young Men’s Hebrew Association of Scranton, PA, held on the 25th day of July 1946, it was unanimously Resolved that inasmuch as I. E. Oppenheim, for two score years a leader In the business, civic, communal and philanthropic enterprises of this City, has resigned as Chairman of the Board of Directors of this Association, after a magnificent and remarkable record of service beginning July 18, 1928. His fellow directors now desire to acknowledge their appreciation of the loss sustained by the organization upon the relinquishment of the reins of leadership by one whose guidance has been characterized by ability, distinction and dignity, the fruits of which are shown by the commanding position which has been attained by the City’s Young Men’s Hebrew Association among like organizations throughout the Country. Throughout his entire career the altruism of I.E. Oppenheim has been actuated and impelled by no selfish or ulterior motive. He sought neither accolade nor acclaim, and modestly shrank from any public recognition of his merit which seemed to savor of aggrandisement. He loved and always will love the performance of service and the doing of kindly deeds which improve the condition of those less blessed than himself in life’s substance. Since his arrival in Scranton he may well be said to have made his fellow citizens of every class, creed and sect in every sense more thoroughly and sincerely Charity Conscious. By his own inspiring example he pointed the way to nobler and higher goals in the matter of unselfish giving for worthwhile purposes. We, his fellow directors, now express our regret at his retirement as our presiding officer, and in order to perpetuate this action as an enduring memorial, it is furthermore, Resolved, that these Resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the Board of Directors and that the original thereof be presented to our former Chairman. In Witness Whereof, these Resolutions are herewith executed and signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the Committee which authored them, and duly attested by the Secretary. Board of Directors of Young Men’s Hebrew Association: David Landau, Chairman; E. Lesterman, Committee on Resolutions; George Josh, Secretary; J. Aransohn |
Edward J. Lynett, Jr.
Engrossed Resolutions by Joseph W. Costello (1946) In March 1946, Joseph W. Costello was commissioned by the Lackawanna County Medical Society to engross resolutions commemorating the election of Edward J. Lynett, Jr. as an honorary member of the Society. Mr. Lynett (1906-1966), the son of the founder of The Scranton Times, was editor and co-publisher of the newspaper. The resolutions recognize his service in the interest of public health and organized medicine. Mr. Costello lettered the resolutions in Engrosser’s Text, drawing attention to headings and larger letters by drop-shading in grey and brown. The colorful left border, with a royal blue, green and red acanthus design, is a signature characteristic of his work. The framed document hangs in the offices of The Scranton Times-Tribune. |
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Barnet Naftulin Engrossed
Resolutions by Joseph W. Costello (1947) The Board of Directors of Temple Israel in Scranton commissioned Joseph W. Costello to engross these resolutions honoring Barnet Naftulin for his many years of service as a member of the choir, devotion to the cause of Jewish education as a teacher, member of the Board of Education and the executive committee. At the bottom of the document are the names of members of the Temple’s executive committee: Sidney M. Weiss, Chairman Resolutions Committee; Irving Harris; Harry A. Golden; Dr. Arthur T. Buch; James B. Rosenfeld, President; and Lester H. Schwartz, Secretary. Mr. Costello framed the resolutions in gold, added a colorfully decorated initial letter “B” and illuminated acanthus border at left. All lettering is done in Engrosser’s Text with larger letters drop-shaded for accent. |
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Scranton Stadium Engrossed
Resolutions by Joseph W. Costello (1940) On May 5, 1940, the new Scranton Stadium was dedicated and became the home of the minor league team, the Scranton Red Sox, of the Eastern League. Joseph W. Costello engrossed this document commemorating the occasion. He used Engrosser’s Text for the lettering and colorfully decorated the borders with filgree and acanthus. At center, he drew a baseball and two crossed bats, recessed behind the text. Below is the complete text: The Scranton Stadium - Dedicated May 5th, 1940 in grateful tribute to the loyal, progressive and steadfast sportsmanship of the fans of the Lackawanna Valley whose ardent love for national sports; whose abiding faith in the citizens of this valley and whose loyalty and civic spirit made possible this beautiful Stadium bringing to fruition the hopes and dreams of the sport-loving people of this community. With the sturdy and majestic mountains as its boundaries; the blue canopy of heaven as its ceiling and the precious jewels of the Anthracite as its foundation, it will serve for many years as a meeting place for all to whom our great American games bring enjoyment and relief from the cares and vicissiitudes of life. To these public spirited fans who by their deeds have written a record of loyalty deep into the granite rock of the history of our community, the Board of Directors of the Scranton Stadium inscribe their everlasting debt of gratitude. The Board of Directors of the Scranton Stadium: Michael F. Lawler, Jack Davis, Edward J. Coleman, E. P. Dietrick, Nicholas Coyer, Edward F. Kirschner, Joseph G. Casey, Dominick Ciccotti, John Burleigh. JOSEPH W. COSTELLO Scranton Stadium Photo with Caption lettered by Joseph W. Costello (1940) In 1940, Joseph W. Costello hand-lettered the caption for this photo of the newly-erected Scranton Stadium. Directors: Jack Davis, President; Michael F. Lawler, Vice-President; Nick Coyer, Secretary; E. P. Dietrick, Treasurer; Edward F. Kirschner; Joseph G. Casey; Edward J. Coleman; John Burleigh; and Dominick Ciccotti. |