Ink Man Leaves Mark -- Erik Cagle
Bob Gans is a crackpot. I say this with the utmost level of respect, in deference to his years on this earth, his service to our country during the war, his experience in the industry as founder/owner of Gans Ink, and his multitude of columns, titled Ink Stains, which have appeared in industry trade papers over the years.
But he is still a crackpot.
I not only say this with the utmost level of respect, but with also a tinge of jealousy and a huge helping of admiration. Mr. Gans recently published a book of his memoirs, "This Is It," that reveals much about the owner of the Los Angeles-based ink company—some good, some bad, all a bit to the left of center. And he packed more living in his first 30 years than some of us will in a lifetime.
People Book
For starters, ink is somewhat dull. Not a knock against the ink industry—as printing consumables go, it is no smaller in stature than paper and certainly a notch above chemicals—but it doesn't exactly rile up the blood, either.
This book isn't about ink, per se, nor is it about the printing industry specifically or in general. It is a people book, about the sometimes wonderful and titillating, occasionally horrifying and tragic, often ironic and coincidental circumstances of life that thrust us into the position we currently find ourselves in. After all, everyone has a story. Be it the manner in which he tells it or the fortunes/misfortunes that befell him, Gans' story is just a little more colorful than most. And after all, color is right up his alley.
The book picks up steam with Gans' induction into World War II and his experiences in the European theatre. His slightly loopy, but highly appreciative, view of women first comes out here—he becomes involved with women in Italy and France, and nearly marries a second Italian woman before getting shipped out for a stretch of duty that tears them apart. He warmed up to the task, before shipping out for duty, by climbing into bed with his bunkmate's girlfriend while the roomie was in the bathroom. Oops!
War can do funny things to people, I guess. Anyone who returned to the States with their bodies and heads intact must have had something on the ball, suffice to say, especially a guy who was wounded three times, even left for dead once, before returning home for good. His staying power earned him the nickname, "The Inevitable Gans."
He didn't seem to lose his sense of humor, and managed to pick up more than $600 on a bet. After graduating OCS, he had a little fun at some enlisted men's expense, stating that officers were "born of superior blood and breeding..." and went so far as to say that an officer could be picked out of a group of enlisted men by looks alone. The bet was for everyone in the group to strip naked, and the first soldier from another unit to come upon them would be asked to pick out the officer from the cast of naked characters. The first soldier to come upon them did, in fact, pick out Gans as the officer. Naturally, Gans had planted the soldier over the hill and had planned the scheme all along. Frankly, I think a soldier who came upon a group of naked men would be more susceptible to turning and running.
Fate steered Gans in a favorable direction upon returning home. A week before he was to marry his future wife, he was fired from his post as manager of the L.A. branch of Sleight Metallic (the vice president replaced Gans with her brother who wanted to move to the City of Angels). That led him to start his own ink company, with the help of a $4,000 loan from his sister. He ended up taking away a number of accounts from his old employer, as his successor at Sleight proved to be more playboy than salesman.
Selling proved to come easy for Gans, who concocted several clever marketing ploys that enabled him to have an edge in the lucrative L.A. market. One was a Gans Grab Bag filled with goodies, including Tootsie Rolls (Gans Ink became Tootsie Rolls' largest non-commercial account) that Gans would hand out on sales calls.
An even sweeter treat that really put Gans Ink on the map was the inclusion of Jayne Mansfield in print advertisements. The two developed a close relationship, and Mansfield even made an appearance at a Gans Ink open house to celebrate the opening of the company's new facility, drawing 1,400 people. Bob and his wife would often join Jayne and her husband, Mr. Universe title holder Mickey Hargitay, on double dates.
In the years leading up to Mansfield's 1969 death in an auto accident, the two grew closer and even spoke of marriage. Beyond the notoriety and extra business she brought to the company, it is safe to say that Mansfield will remain a flower pressed between the pages of Bob Gans' memories.
The book, which also includes selections of his column, can be ordered by calling (800) 421-6167. Cost is $7.50 plus $3.50 shipping.
- Places:
- Los Angeles