I find it curious the books you find on display in independent bookstore windows.  I wonder what a lifetime working in a book store would be like.  I’m sure B&N and Borders have a business model around “premium placement” for bookstore windows, but at these small shops I prefer to believe that these glass window suggestions are little gifts from the minds trapped behind the counter surrounded by a lifetime of words.  I find myself drawn to these books and in Mountain View the flashy book cover above caught my attention.  I enjoyed the excerpt below…

Graffiti Kings New York City Mass Transit Art of the 1970’s by Jack Stewart -

All of the early graffiti writers have conceded that “Pray” was the earliest graffiti of their era, closely followed by the command “worship god” found in many of New York City’s public telephone booths.  In the 1970’s Michael Tracy (Tracy 168) and several other subway graffitists said they had seen “Pray” writing and that she was a “little old lady” who held up a newspaper as concealment while she scratched.  Out of respect, the graffitists bestowed on her the title “Queen of the stations”.

From scratching, to felt tipped pens, to spray paint, this detailed account of graffiti’s roots is fascinating.