> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://bl.ag/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Lettres Décoratives and the History of French Sign Painting - URL: https://bl.ag/lettres-decoratives-and-the-history-of-french-sign-painting/ - Published: 2026-03-05T14:00:11.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-05T14:00:12.000Z - Description: Inside Letterform Archive’s new book and a video presentation from its author, Morgane Côme. - Author: Better Letters - Tags: Books, Films, History [Lettres Décoratives: A Century of French Sign Painter Alphabets](https://shop.bl.ag/products/lettres-decoratives?ref=bl.ag) *is the new book from* [*Letterform Archive*](https://letterformarchive.org/?ref=bl.ag)*. Here’s a glimpse inside, plus the recording of last week’s online event where I got to talk with* [*Morgane Côme*](https://morganec.fr/?ref=bl.ag) *about her work on the book’s introductory essay.* ## Lettres Décoratives **From Letterform Archive / Morgane Côme** *Lettres Décoratives* is a monumental publication in every sense of the word. Weighing in at a colossal 1.8 kg (4 lb), it is filled with a stunning collection of plates from French sign painter portfolios printed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These have been painstakingly reproduced, with care taken to faithfully match the brilliant colours on the original [chromolithographic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromolithography?ref=bl.ag) prints. ![Photo of a book laid out to show a spread. The left page has a series of letters rendered in different colours and lettering effects with the title "Lettres". The right side has a highly decorated painted panel with ribbons dominating the bottom half and the three words of "Gravure, Modes, Parfums" rendered in different lettering styles.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/2026/02/Lettres-Decoratives-Spread-84-85-CV-1.jpg) Two of the featured plates by Nicolas Glaise from his 1882 publication, **Modèles de Lettres Sur Vingt Tons de Fonds Différents* (Model Letters on Twenty Different Background Tones). Each of the 12 portfolios, spanning the period 1875–1932, is introduced by a short text discussing stylistic themes and giving notes on their creators and the context in which they were produced. The plates themselves then range from relatively simple presentations of alphabets to virtuoso compositions by master craftspeople of the time. In between, there’s everything from beautiful Art Nouveau sign designs to incredible dimensional effects applied to quintessentially French letterforms. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/2026/02/Lettres-Decoratives-Spread-16-17-CV.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/2026/02/Lettres-Decoratives-Spread-46-47-CV.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/2026/02/Lettres-Decoratives-Spread-68-69-CV.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/2026/02/Lettres-Decoratives-Spread-144-145-CV.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/2026/02/Lettres-Decoratives-Spread-206-207-CV.jpg) Spreads from **Lettres Décoratives*, which measures a whopping 25 × 34 mm (9.3 × 13 in). All of this is set up for the reader by an extended, and accessible, essay by French sign painter Morgane Côme. (The essay, and the book, is in English.) This walks through the history of signs and sign painting in France, placing the portfolios in context and examining the role they have to play as the craft finds itself in resurgence in the country. It’s a fascinating read and perhaps the first time that such a detailed account of France’s sign painting story has been made widely available. ![Graphic of a magazine spread. The article shown is titled "French Sign Painter Portfolios" and the text of about half a page is illustrated with five pieces showing a variety of sign painter designs, including shopfronts and other signs. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/2026/02/BLAG-02-pp16-17-Graphic-1.jpg) Work from the portfolios of [Paul Fleury](https://oa.letterformarchive.org/item?workID=lfa%5Ffrance%5F0003&ref=bl.ag) and [Louis Ramade](https://oa.letterformarchive.org/item?workID=lfa%5Ffrance%5F0002&ref=bl.ag) for the ‘Inside Letterform Archive’ column in [BLAG 02](https://bl.ag/whats-inside-blag-better-letters-magazine-issue-02/). I had been anticipating this book ever since [Stephen Coles](https://stephencoles.org/?ref=bl.ag) dropped a hint that it was in progress during one his [BLAG Meet](https://bl.ag/meet/) sessions. (There was a also a little appetiser in the ‘Inside Letterform Archive’ piece in [BLAG 02](https://bl.ag/whats-inside-blag-better-letters-magazine-issue-02/).) However, I was not prepared for being quite as awestruck as I was when I received my copy a couple of weeks ago. ’**Lettres Décoratives: A Century of French Sign Painters’ Alphabets* pagethrough’ [on Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/1132276337?ref=bl.ag). No corners have been cut in producing the book, and the design by [Violaine & Jérémy](https://www.violaineetjeremy.fr/?ref=bl.ag) is as masterful as its contents. Their cover is a case in point: it takes inspiration from the letterforms within, with the addition of debossed panels and subtle gold foil accents. There’s then the chef’s kiss of having the text on the spine set on a brush handle and oriented in the French-European direction, versus the archive’s other publications. ### The History and Craft of French Sign Painting To celebrate the book’s launch last month, Letterform Archive hosted one of [their regular Salon sessions](https://letterformarchive.org/events/?type=lectures-salons&sort&ref=bl.ag). I was honoured to join author Morgane Côme in exploring some of the themes from her essay and placing these, and the portfolios, within a wider, international context. The recording from the event is available to [watch here](https://vimeo.com/1168257521?ref=bl.ag). ‘Salon Series 56: The History and Craft of French Sign Painting’ [on Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/1168257521?ref=bl.ag). As I say at the beginning of the session, hats off to everyone involved in the creation of this exceptional publication. I would say it’ll take pride of place on my shelf, but I’d need to get a taller shelf for it to actually fit. I guess that means its rightful place is front and centre on the coffee table! [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/2026/02/Lettres-Decoratives.jpg)](https://shop.bl.ag/products/lettres-decoratives?ref=bl.ag) **Lettres Décoratives: A Century of French Sign Painter Alphabets* is out now and [available to purchase from the BLAG shop](https://shop.bl.ag/products/lettres-decoratives?ref=bl.ag) and [directly from Letterform Archive](https://letterformarchive.org/shop/lettres-decoratives/?ref=bl.ag). [Buy the Book ](https://shop.bl.ag/products/lettres-decoratives?ref=bl.ag) --- ### More Books [Books & Publications on Better Letters MagazinePublications about sign painting, lettering and typography.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/icon/BLAG_Issue_8_Favicon-12.png)BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/thumbnail/Numerals-Featured-2-9.jpg)](https://bl.ag/tag/books/) ### More History [Sign & Sign Painting HIstory on Better Letters MagazineThe history of signs, sign painting and sign painters.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/icon/BLAG_Issue_8_Favicon-13.png)BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/24/aa/24aaa208-ebb0-4f83-bc52-1f4f253367c8/content/images/thumbnail/T-L-Hamlyn-Transom-and-Fascia-1-7.jpg)](https://bl.ag/tag/history/)