New Yorkers and Law and Order fans alike know the “We Are Happy To Serve You” paper coffee cup is an iconic piece of old New York. We’ve loved it because it’s the perfect size for a quick pick-me-up, the kitschiness of it, and perhaps because it’s the cup dispensed by the family-run diner on the corner. We learned a lot more about the man behind the cup (officially called the Anthora), Leslie Buck, who passed away last week. The New York Times obituary tells the story of the refugee from Nazi Europe that eventually became the director of marketing for the Sherri Cup Company in Connecticut. Mr. Buck had no formal training in art, yet the design–with it’s Grecian color scheme and folkloric tone–was an “instant success.” It’s proof that enduring designs don’t always come with rhyme, reason, or a carefully thought-out typeface.
