Monte: King of Atom-Age Monster Decals [With Decals]

By Bill Selby

A deliciously colorful look at the outrageous art and history of Don "Monte" Monteverde, king of the water slide decal.

Informed decal aficionados worldwide agree that of all the water slide decals ever produced, "Originals by Monte" 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 Montes 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! Monte decals tossed a cherry bomb into the toilet of conformity.

For five decades, mystery surrounded the identity of Monte, the reclusive master of cartoon monster decals. Now, the remarkable and poignant story of Don "Monte" 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 Monte's team-up with Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth to create the iconic Rat Fink.

Often imitated, but never surpassed, Monte'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 Monte decals included!

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0867197196
• ISBN13: 9780867197198
• Release Date: December 2010
• Publisher: Last Gasp
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 7.2"