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Date: January 28, 1998
From: Barbara Semonche
To: Mr. Dixon Gannett:
I think that I might have what you are interested in. Let me tell
you about the info I have on the Gannett newsboy. If you have seen my
website, you'll note my interest in newsies.
The October 1973 issue of "Ganneteer" has an article, pages 36-38,
with photos about the newsboy logo that appeared in Gannett's corporate
advertising. According to the article, public service directors at Gannett
newspapers in Rochester and Elmira especially used the logo to decorate
everything from cuff links, lapel pins, tie tacks, and blazer patches to
business cards, stationery and other souveniers and prizes.
The article quotes Paul Miller, Gannett chairman of the board at
that time. Not long after Miller came to Rochester as executive assistant
to Frank Gannett in 1947, A Times-Union librarian was reviewing some
printed material and other items stored in a closet by a Rochester
newspaper executive who had retired.
There she found a poster by an unknown artist showing two newsboys
peddling the Union and Advertisier, a Rochester newspaper combined with
the Evening Times into The Times Union in 1918 by Gannett and Erwin
Davenport. (Note: this article has a full-page copy of what appears to be
that poster.)
The newspaper in the poster is dated Saturday evening, Jan. 2,
1886. In the background is the Union and Advertiser building that once
stood near the old Erie Canal in downtown Rochester.
The librarian took the old promotional poster, water stained and
torn, to Miller's office to see if it might be of interest on the
corporate floor.
Miller was attracted to it, and had it cleaned and framed. It has
since hung in his outer office. (Note: remember this article was dated
1973.) Miller used the symbol on Christmas cards, note paper, and place
cards.
The poster's modern promotional use was originated in 1964 by
Vincent E. Spezzano, then director of public service for the Rochester
newspapers and now (1973) public service director for Gannett Co., Inc.
Spezzano was looking for something to symbolize the first Old
Newsboys' Day in Rochester, when prominent politicians and civic leaders
would sell newspapers on street corners to raise money for the Lend-A-Hand
Fund.
He spotted the lithograph in Miller's office. A line drawing
"logo" of the the most prominent newsboy in the poster (minus the barking
dog) created by the Rochester newspapers' graphic arts department. A smile
was added later by Ronald Salerno, Gannett corporate staff artist.
Old Newsboys' Day has been increasingly successful in Rochester
and has been adapted by several other Gannett newspapers.
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