Looking for a poster or information about a poster (artist's name, publisher, poster name) that was popular in the '60's which depicted an artist's comic concept of The City in full color, complete with trolly cars falling off cliffs, etc. Everything unique to SF was exaggerated and very funny. Have been looking for this poster for 30 years.

-- Carla Kelly (barefootdesigns@charter.net), March 21, 2004

Answers

Might be Albert Tolf.

Here is another thread that discusses him.

-- strange (stranger@yahoo.com), March 21, 2004.

Well, that link did a lot of good....

I guess you could just copy and paste to view...

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=00BZHn

-- strange (stranger@yahoo.com), March 21, 2004.

Wow!! That was fast--should have tried the Internet sooner. Still haven't seen any pictures of posters yet, but from the description they gave on that link you sent, I'm almost sure it's him and that the poster is "San Frantasia". Used to have a copy when I lived there and it always made me smile. It would be my favorite souvenir of The City in the '60's. Now, at least I know where to look. Thank you so, so much, Carla

-- Carla Kelly (barefootdesigns@charter.net), March 23, 2004.

You can see the Tolf print "Nobody Believes Me" here as of 4/22/04:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ViewItem&category=20149&item=3718709811

-- B. Coulais (spongebuckee@yahoo.com), April 22, 2004.

I bought one of these posters from Albert himself, in 1988, when I stumbled across his studio by mistake. He offered me the original painting, which I remember as being about 10 feet high, at least it seemed to go from floor to ceiling of the studio, for $10,000. I have always regretted not buying it.

The full title of the poster is "San Frantasia - The Timeless Wonderland". These words also appear on the poster (interspersed with icons that I can't find on my computer!): 'It is the Bridge to Enchantment...Sunshine, Sails, Surf, Birds, Kites & Joy. Hillside Gardens forever in Bloom...Fishing Wharfs, Foghorns & Moviemakers. Architectural Daring - High as the Hills...The Taste of Goodness & a Touch of Whimsy. It's the Past, Present & Future....Flowerstands...& the Bell ATop a Cablecar.

There is no publisher name on the poster it may have been published by the artist.

-- Chris Fisher (seejayeff@hotmail.com), June 20, 2004.

I purchased a print from Albert Tolf at his Post St. studio. He was kind enough to sign it for me

-- ben hagan (bhagan4242@aol.com), August 07, 2004.

Carla, I'm just updating your original thread with your post from the other Tolp thread. Odd, a nephew referred to as a her? ;) - Stranger

EUREKA!! The nephew of Albert Tolf found my query and responded, giving me information about how to contact her because she still has a few copies of the "San Frantasia" poster and is willing to sell them. She's very elderly, but quite sharp and personable. I'M GOING TO GET A BRAND NEW COPY FROM HER!!!

She gave me permission to post her phone number for anybody who wants to get a copy. Please do not call after 7pm PST, as she is quite old and goes to bed early. I didn't inquire about other posters, but she might have others available. Call Naomi Tolf--707/546- 3139. The price is $45, which includes shipping.

Thanks to all who helped me find this information after 30 long years of searching.

-- Carla Kelly (barefootdesigns@charter.net), August 10, 2004.

-- Carla Kelly (barefootdesigns@charter.net), August 11, 2004.

Hi Carla--- Glad you got a poster. I bought one in 1969----the frame cost 10 times the $5 poster price! I considered buying the original oil, but the water at the upper right was GRAY----it looked depressing! That was "improved" to vibrant blue when the litho was made.

I was wondering if your website put you in contact with any of the fans who still own ORIGINAL PAINTINGS. I bought one in 1970 for an arm-and-a-leg, and I still love it (it's 3 x 4 feet). He sold one other original that size, a very BLUE SF scene, and I'd still like to have that one on my wall as well. Please reply!

------------Jeff, San Francisco

-- Jeff Cain (jeffmcain@hotmail.com), November 18, 2004.