MONTE: KING OF ATOM AGE MONSTER DECALS

Bill Selby

[Art - Graphics - Design]

A deliciously colorful look at the outrageous art and history of Don "Monté" Monteverde, king of the water slide decal. Informed decal aficionados worldwide agree that of all the water slide decals ever produced, "Originals by Monté" were the first monster decals to zap the collective psyche of defiant, late-fifties juvenile America. They were also the first decals that didn't disintegrate when you tried to apply them. Millions of Montés sold for a dime apiece in hobby shops, bicycle stores, and via mail order through hot rod and monster magazines, winding up rebelliously plastered on bicycles, models, toys, transistor radios, notebooks, lunch boxes -- any empty surface. All kids had to do was add water and voila! Monté decals tossed a cherry bomb into the toilet of conformity. For five decades, mystery surrounded the identity of Monté, the reclusive master of cartoon monster decals. Now, the remarkable and poignant story of Don "Monté" Monteverde is revealed, from his early roots pinstriping cars and motorcycles in Los Angeles to his eventual rise and fall as America's decal king, including Monté's team-up with Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth to create the iconic Rat Fink. Often imitated, but never surpassed, Monté's process is explained, along with hundreds of full-color examples of his work: retro eye-candy guaranteed to raise a smile and satisfy even the most hard-core Kustom Kulture retro jones. There's even a reproduction bonus pack of Monté decals included!

Last Gasp (2010) 160 p. 13 x 18 cm