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Brandon Billester, Monument Lettering Center, talks about his research on the life of Tim Jellow on an episode of the Monument Matters podcast.
Honoring Timothy Jellow
In the June 2024 issue of MBNews, Brandon Billester of the Monument Lettering Center, shared his research on the creations of the Modified Roman alphabet and Timothy Jellow.
Jellow was a memorial draftsman, lettering specialist, inventor, and founding partner of the Spacerite Company along with Antonio “George” Di Bona. Timothy invented the idea for the system–which consisted of metal letters and a wood rack for laying out inscriptions with proper spacing–and brought the idea to Di Bona, a stone carver and letterer. The brilliance of the invention was including the “contact keys” on the side of the metal letters that forced proper spacing. The process was wildly successful, and many manufacturers still use it today, even in the face of other physical and digital technologies that have increased the simplicity and speed of creating layouts ready for sandblasting.
During his research, Brandon discovered that Jellow is buried at Mt. Wollaston Cemetery in Quincy, though his grave has no stone. Unfortunately, the man who helped create the system responsible for lettering the majority of memorials in North America during the 20th century does not have a memorial of his own.
The MBNA Marketing Committee, through Brandon Billester, has obtained permission from Jellow’s granddaughter to place a monument for him. MBNA is inviting all member companies and their employees to consider submitting a memorial concept to honor Jellow and/or express their interest in fabricating the monument.
Details:
- Jellow is buried at Mount Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy, Massachusetts
- Monument size – 1-8 x 0-8 x 2-2 die, 2-0 x 1-0 x 0-8 base
- Wikipedia link
- Influential Figures: Timothy Jellow
- City of Quincy Cemetery Guidelines
- June 2024 issue of MBNews
What to submit by September 1
- Description of your project noting any unique features in your concept (500 words or less)
- Accompanying drawings
Submissions will be featured in a future issue of MBNews and shared on social media. The Marketing Committee plans to select a design, fundraise for the project if necessary, and work with Bryan Poirer, Quincy Memorials, to create and place the stone. This is a great opportunity to brainstorm a concept and show your creativity as a memorialist to honor a pioneer of the modern memorial industry.
Submit all designs via email to rdaeger@monumentbuilders.org!
