Dear Executives at Chun King Foods
Our graphics department came up with some truly exceptional drawings with which to illustrate your pamphlet, “American Oriental Foods.” I think you’ll agree that they set just the time tone and comply with the average American’s sense of humor. For example: your recipe for Mexicali (which is inspired, by the way). What better than to have a typical Mexican gentleman resting slumped against a wall in a sombrero and bare feet? Your readers will get the message that this recipe is authentic south-of-the-border fare. We even gave him a pointy mustache.
And we know you’ll love this, given the Oriental theme of the book as a whole: at every opportunity we’ve reminded your readers what this is all about by including Orientals engaged in the things Orientals do — like this happy rickshaw boy with his coolie hat and flip-flops joyfully pulling along a European tourist in front of — get this — a pagoda. For an added touch of veracity we added two birds flying into one another like you see on Chinese plates. We even gave him a pigtail and slanty eyes so you couldn’t mistake his nationality with anyone else.
With regards,
The Stereo-Type Design Co.
American Oriental Foods, Book Production Industries, 1961.
Also from this book: For Men Only