Actually, what I am looking for are designs of the western town signs, and what i mean by that are the signs that you would see in what would be call a “stereotype” town entrance. I am not looking for a history lesson, although I appreciate other peoples knowledge,that is not what I need. I am doing a non-typical western town call “Griffin” and I want a somewhat fanciful sign to welcome the cowboys to town. Any help?
Here I go again. I wrote you a long reply but just as I posted it, my rinky-dink internet connection ate it up.
Okay podner, you got you a town name with a natural possibility for a fullsomely fanciful sign. Cause a “griffin” is a mythological beasty with the body, hind feet and tail of a lion, and the head and wings of an eagle, with an eagle’s taloned legs as forelegs. Quite a critter. A picture of you, maybe a little cartoonish or crude might be appropriate.
Griffin Abstract Company in Conroe Texas has a side view deco moderne bas relief sculpture of a griffin carved in its Texas fossil limestone facade, sort of a stylized version of a griffin representation that I seem to recall dates from Babylonian times. I have a photo of the Conroe Texas building that I shot for model train layout research purposes some 25 years ago, but I do not have it digitized or on my railimages webspace and I don’t want to tie up webspace indefinitely with it. However, I would be willing to scan it and email if you are particularly interested and email me your internet address.
After I wrote my first and accidently deleted post, I went to Google IMAGE search and came up with a bunch of griffin pictures and artwork which might be adapted to your sign. Also ran across the name of an ART GRIFFIN who makes model railroad decals.
Hope this helps. I found stock art of Paul Bunyon and adapted it in Photoshop as a sign for my layout-- the mascot of Johnston High School, home of the Johnston Lumberjacks.